The Lord in Gethsemane
Introduction
Luke 22:39-46
The Lord Jesus wrestling in agony at Gethsemane
We are on the victory side – inc Roman 8
When was the victory achieved?
The cross
The resurrection
In Gethsemane
A starting point "An angel appeared from heaven strengthening Him" – v43
Jesus was fully composed when the soldiers came
Jesus told Peter to put away his sword – He was to drink the cup of His Father
Jesus wants His disciples to learn from His agony
x6 – "prayer"
x2 – "watch and pray"
Overview – 4 parts:
His Custom
His Concern
His Cup
His Composure
His Custom (v38)
To withdraw to the Mount of Olives to pray
He often went to pray on His own
Sometimes He took His disciples with Him
He lived a life of prayer
Facing the cross – He does the same thing
Quote from Cyprian
Is prayer a custom for us?
Do we follow in the Saviour’s footsteps?
Jesus instructed His disciples to ‘watch and pray’
Example of African tribe
His Concern (v40)
‘Pray not to enter into temptation’
In the agony of Gethsemane He is concerned for His disciples
Typical of the Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus does not want them to enter into temptation
Tempted to sin
Testings and trials – not to be overwhelmed by the trial or difficulty
Temptation is not wrong, but to enter into sin is wrong
Temptation can overwhelm us
Sin can overwhelm us
Example of the Lord’s Prayer
The disciples were overwhelmed by Calvary
His Cup (v42)
Take this cup away from Me
Jesus is now facing the worse of all trials
3 times He prays (in the other gospels) – though Luke summarises it
The cup is Old Testament language
Ps 75:8 (and other passages)
The wrath of God / anger of God against sin
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Revelation
There are judgments from God – Romans 1
His wrath is mixed with mercy
The wrath that Jesus faced was undiluted
Quote #1 from Jonathan Edwards Sermon: Christ’s Agony
We deserve this because of our sin
He prays if possible for the cup to pass from Him – but God’s will be done
He submits His human will to the will of God the Father
An angel came to strengthen Him (v43)
He prayed more earnestly (v44)
So He could continue in prayer and submit to the will of God the Father
No human help but heavenly help
Quote #2 from Jonathan Edwards Sermon: Christ’s Agony
On the cross wrath was poured out – in Gethsemane He is looking at it
He is accepting the cup
Quote from John Duncan
Christians will never face the undiluted wrath of God – Jesus has faced this for us
We are justified by faith
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ
His Composure (v45-46)
He knows what will happen and is prepared to go through with it
The victory was won in Gethsemane
Application
We not face what Jesus did, but we need divine help
"Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation"
Christians in the work place, family life, neighbourhoods
Wales is the most secular part of the UK
We need strength from heaven – divine help
We need the Holy Spirit
Quote from hymn
You pray
Has the grass grown over the path of prayer
"Pray, lest you enter into temptation"