The name Gethsemane is Aramaic which means "Olive Press" It was a place where olive trees grew and produced their fruit. The olives were gathered and placed in a press, and the oil was extracted from the olives under extreme pressure. This seemed to be a refuge for Jesus. It was a garden that He came to, to pray, and fellowship with His Father. It was necessary for Him to come and to receive strength for His journey to the cross, which was just around the corner.
It says in v.33 that He was "troubled and deeply distressed."
And who could blame Him. In just a very short time, they would be driving nails through His hands and His feet. Peter, James and John could not know the anguish Jesus was feeling. They were not in His shoes. He asked them to stay focused and pray, but sleep found them three times.
I know that when you are in a crisis, it is hard for people who are with you, to know the pain you are going through. If they were facing what Jesus was facing, I believe they would not have been sleeping, but praying as well, that the cup of suffering would be taken away from them too.
I have never been to the Garden of Gethsemane, but I have had my moments of trial that led me to my knees, in trouble and distress.
But it was through prayer that I received my greatest strength, and developed a solid confidence.
It has happened time, and time again, that as David, I was able to confront my giants, because of the time I spent in prayer. I don't know what you are facing today, but prayer is the greatest tool in the battle with worry and distress.
After Jesus prayed, we see a great confidence to face His betrayer, and those who would take Him away to be crucified.
Find your Gethsemane, and let the Lord comfort and strengthen you, as only He can. He Knows, because He's been there! GP
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