GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE 2019

JESUS KNEW he was going to die as revealed by Luke 9:51-53. When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. During this final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus also forewarned his disciples three different times that he was going to die. (1) Matthew 16:21-23, Mark 8:31-33, Luke 9:22. (2) Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32, Luke 9:43 b-45. (3) Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34, Luke 18:31-34. Further, Jesus received and announced his anointing by Mary of Bethany (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 22:1, John 11:55-12:11) as preparation for his burial. These verses make it clear that JESUS KNEW where, when, and how he was going to die.

Just in case we missed this foreknowledge of Jesus in the synoptic gospels, John repeats the  phrase JESUS KNEW three times in the Upper Room Discourse. John 13:1 JESUS KNEW that it was time for him to go to the Father.  John 13:3 JESUS KNEW all things were under his power, but he did not use that power to stop the suffering coming to him.  John 13:11, 18, 21, 38 JESUS KNEW he would be betrayed and denied. Again, JESUS KNEW of his impending death and yielded to it even though he had the power to avoid it.

Why is this foreknowledge important? Jesus was not a victim but our Savior, the sacrificial Lamb of God. He submitted to the will of the Father that we might be saved. Jesus himself called it LOVE in John 15:13. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. How else can we explain Jesus’ obedient refusal to use the power at his disposal? It continually amazes me that JESUS KNEW how he would be treated, but he came to earth anyway (Philippians 2:5-9), and he then traveled to Jerusalem that last time. What amazing love! How could he do that? Hebrews 12:2 b-3 tells us that he looked quite far ahead. For the JOY that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. May we also focus on the joy that awaits us in eternity and become willing servants of Jesus Christ. Amen.

What can we learn from Jesus responsiveness to the Father? Unlike his disciples, Jesus listened to and watched the Father. John 5:19 The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing. Because whatever the Father does the Son also does. Accordingly, Jesus set his face on Jerusalem even though JESUS KNEW rejection, ridicule and much suffering awaited him. Even beginning as late as the prayer in Gethsemane, we can observe that Jesus’ death was proceeded by repeated acts of obedience.

  • Jesus yielded his will to that of the Father one more time in that Garden. Mark 14:36b Yet not what I will, but what you will.
  • He did not resist the arresting soldiers. Matthew 26:42 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
  • He did not object to the false accusations of the Jewish authorities.
  • Jesus had the power to obliterate those who beat and killed him, but he did not. Jesus stated this power with such authority to Pilate, however, Pilate became afraid. John 19:10-11a Do you refuse to speak to me? Pilate said. Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”   

We KNOW we are going to die. What if WE KNEW the number of our days? Would we value our own lives more or become more willing to lay them down for our friends? How might we treasure our people and prepare ourselves to meet our Savior face to face? What might we learn by anticipating the end of this life?

  • One goal of Heritage of Hope is to plan and prepare for the impact of our death upon those we love.
  • Another goal—equally important—is  to consider how we might alter our own lives considering the limited number of days God had appointed for us. Do I have twenty years left on this earth, 20 months, 20 weeks, or perhaps, 20 days? So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

JESUS KNEW he was going to die in Jerusalem. Nothing that happened was a surprise to him, and none of his words were careless. What he chose to teach and model on his way to the cross is especially relevant to us mortals. Jesus taught the necessity of death both in parables, John 12:24-26, and clear statements—Matthew 10:38, 16:24, Mark 8:34, and Luke 9:26. He modeled humble, loving service daily and then again symbolically prior to the last supper by washing the dirty feet of his disciples.  I would sum it up this way . . . We must learn to listen to and obey God, to die to ourselves, and love others. In every way, Jesus’ death was a victory. Jesus taught us how to live and how to die.

This entire earthly life is an exercise in dying. To finish well is to love so well, we die to self.