You and Me, and Gethsemane-Part Three
Four Lessons To Learn From Gethsemane
This is the final Spiritual Nugget on the powerful message by Chuck Swindoll on Gethsemane. If you would like to listen to this message, go to: http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Insight_for_Living/Archives.asp. Please note that we have added our own perspective on this message.
Lesson One
We must all journey through our own Gethsemane.
It may be:
Loss of a child, death of a dream, divorce, prison term, unfair statements made
by others and believed by one time good friends, financial crisis, sickness, or
many other things.
When Jesus walked through the gate to the garden at Gethsemane, He was hoping
He would not have to endure the pain, but also willing to go through the
anguish. After going through His Gethsemane experience, He walked out through
the gate ready to face Calvary.
Lesson Two
We must suffer our own anguish while at
Gethsemane.
There is no getting away from it. There is suffering, heartache, sorrow,
and anguish while at Gethsemane. We will pray, cry out, 'sweat drops of blood',
and wait it out alone. This is actually part of the 'therapy' of Gethsemane.
Lesson Three
In the anguish we must release our own will.
We must learn to let go of our selfish will. We may try to bargain, beg,
and plead with God. When we release control the anguish will finally subside
and we will change. Jesus is the example:
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be
done." Luke 22:42
Every true mentor has gone through Gethsemane.
Gethsemane builds a depth in your life that nothing else will.
Lesson Four
After going through Gethsemane, we can face Calvary.
Having accepted the Father's will, we can go through Calvary. We can take
up the cross. "Then he said to them all: 'If
anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily
and follow me.'" Luke 9:23
Conclusion
All of us can agree that this concept of Gethsemane is true. However
the living it out can be tough. This is because of our self-centered will. And
that is the very reason for the need for us to go through the Gethsemane
experience. And there will be more than one time in our life when we will be in
this garden. It is our prayer that each of us will be willing to go through the
gate to this garden, and when we walk out of the garden we will be more like
Jesus.
Our next series of nuggets will be on Forgiveness. One thought to think about before we cover this topic. Jesus is our example. As we are in the Easter/Resurrection time, remember the example of Jesus. He did not hold grudges, did not get offended, and willingly forgave those who "did not deserve forgiveness."
Great Easter Message by Tony Evans on Focus on the Family
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