“When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.” (John 18:1 KJV).
This passage shows us that the Lord and His disciples moved across the valley over the brook Cedron to a garden in the Mount of Olives, apostle Matthew identified as the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36). The Lord Jesus, in choosing this location, coveys the depth of anguish He experienced in this last crucial moments towards His arrest. Gethsemane means "oil press” in Hebrew. Which imparts the anguish the Lord Jesus went through, likened to extraction of oil from Olives pits, in these few moments. The gospel of Luke graphically shows Him in state of pressure. “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44 NIV). In this instance the Lord Jesus is cleansing the ground from the curse of Adam's sin by His sinless blood mixed with sweat. Now, by faith in Him, the curse of sweat due to need for hard work (Genesis 3:19) is lifted. In Christ Jesus, we are now resting in grace, blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
The depth of the Lord’s angst, One unblemished by sin, and now in the brink of adsorbing the sins of the world upon Him, is very evident. The weight of it is manifest in the Words He spoke to the three apostles with Him - Peter, James and John. “Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”” (Matthew 26:38 NIV). And, it showed in His very deep intense private prayer - “Going a little farther, He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”” (Matthew 26:39 NIV).
Yes, the Lord Jesus being in human flesh, struggled to face the burden of sin He did not commit. Yet, He readily submit to the Father’s will for our sakes. He did not have to. But, He chose to. He did not just take the cup of suffering willingly. But because of His love for us, with eagerness, He rushes on and goes for it! He calls on the Three apostles with Him: “Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”” (Matthew 26:46 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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