Slide 2:
32 And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.”
33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.
34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch.”
35 And going a little farther, he 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 to you; remove this chalice from me; yet not what I will, but what you will.”
37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?
38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.
Slide 3:
40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer him.
41 And he came the third time, and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come; the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Slide 4:
Gethsemane means “oil press,” and was located on the Mount of Olives where olive oil was prepared.
The traditional location of Gethsemane is now marked by the modern Church of All Nations, which was built over a fourth-century Byzantine church.
Jesus didn’t return to Bethany because Passover celebrants were to remain in Jerusalem and not return home until the next day (Dt. 16:7). When Jesus prays about the cup he is speaking of his coming crucifixion.
Notice that it was not the will of the Father that the “cup,” pass Jesus by.
Notice also that Jesus, just like us, trusted the Father to do what was best.
Notice that Jesus didn’t attempt to impose his will upon the Father, nor did he attempt to bargain but totally accepted the Father’s will as the best solution.
Slide 5:
The time Jesus spent in Gethsemane was the most difficult in Jesus’ life up to that point.
He clearly saw the devastating task that he was about to undertake.
He witnessed the human weakness of his disciples. He saw, Judas, his betrayer coming.
And he sensed with agony that his Father would not let the cup pass him by.