"Prelude Lessons from the Garden"

An extremely important moment had approached in the earthly sojourn of the Lord. The time had arrived for Him to experience the consummation phase of ministry and prepare to give His life as a "ransom for many." On the eve of having partaken of the final Passover meal, and having instituted the future sacred ordinance of Communion, the record plainly notes, "they came to a place which was name Gethesemane." (v.32)

Upon arrival at this location the Lord Jesus instructs the general group of Disciples, "Sit ye here, while I pray." However, before He departs text we observes that He, again, selects Peter, James, and John to travel further with Him in to a more private setting in the Garden of Gethesemane.

From among the Twelve, they comprised the inner circle of individuals chosen by the Lord and given the privilege to be exposed to the "deeper things of God" in terms of unique experiences and encounters. Over and again, we must remember that His choice of these three individuals was determined by the grace of divine Sovereignty, and not by any noteworthy character traits of these individual.

Too we should note that where great privileges are given or granted there is also associated with them the expectations of greater loyalty and performance. Hence, when we listen to the instruction commands given to them by the Lord as opposed to those issued to the general group of Disciples we see a clear distinction being made.  He directs them, "tarry ye here, and watch."

Recall that His instructions to the general group were "Sit ye here, while I shall pray." But, He told those of the "inner circle, "tarry ye here, and watch."

Thus, we clearly see that the Lord Jesus expected them to watch Him from afar to behold the dramatic ordeal that was about to unfold. He wanted them to soberly observe the anguishing ordeal that He was about to experience.

Recall Moments

The Lord Jesus did not intend for "this moment" to be hidden or kept private from the gaze of human eyes. But, He wanted their (all those whom He loves) eyes to examine the excruciatingly intense trial He had to pass through.

He wanted its traumatic impact to leave a tremendous impression on their heart. He wanted the scene they would behold to be etched into their souls for the remainder of their earthly days.

"Why," we may naturally ask? He wanted them to have very graphic, detailed and vivid "recall moment" when the thoughts of the event would be latter recalled and replayed during their own times of intense trial that laid ahead. But more importantly, the Lord wanted the Disciples to know more about what awaited them in "the cup."

The Contents of "the Cup"

On several earlier occasions, they (at least James and John) had vehemently asserted their allegiance to the Lord and their determined perseverance to fulfill their appointed task of service given to them that they believed would merit them the be given and hold the seats of honor beside His.

The interchange in Matthew 20:22 highlights, "But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able."

Again, note their reply, "They say unto him, We are able."  But, then again let us more closely examine the affirmation made by the Lord Jesus. He said, "Ye know not what ye ask."

Now, we must ask ourselves, "What is the real case here?" Did the Sons of Zeebedee recognize the sheer gravity of the matter they had raised?" Of course, the answer is obviously, "no."

The Disciples had no clue as to the experiences that were to materialize on the appointed path on which they had been placed. The Lord had repeated informed and warned them, "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles."  (Matthew 10:17-18)

Yet, likewise as in the case with us today, these affirmed certainties alluded the grasp of their thoughts and alternatively they embraced notions that were false.

Moreover, in a more recent conversation held on site of the Mount of Olives the Lord revealed to them, "All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." (Mark 14:27)

Then, once more, they demonstrated their present inability to grasp the depth of spiritual truth because they counter replied through the voice of Peter, "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I." (v. 29b)

A Garden Point

One of the enduring lessons the Disciples would learn from the painful ordeal in the Garden of Gethsemane was that the perspective of the "the flesh" is always: 1) shallow; 2) inspired by emotions based on sensory evidence, and 3) spiritually erroneous.

Today, as seen in the case of the Disciples at this stage in their redemptive experience, we too are often vehemently and impulsively confident in our own knowledge and counsel. Furthermore, we too, are confident in our ability to maneuver and navigate out of the perplexing conditions and situation that we confront in life.

We must understand that although we may know the text of Proverbs 3:5-7 it is not naturally inherent that we follow the instructional directives it mandates. Recalling the text we read, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."

To be sure, we cannot stand aloft and finger point at them without self-incriminating ourselves as well.

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March 25, 2019

Mark 11:32-36 (KJV)

Mark 11:32) And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33) And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34) And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35) And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36) And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

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