“Jesus did not come simply to console us but to perfect us! This is exactly where He will take us once we are willing!” Francis Frangipane
In the Garden of Gethsemane we are given one of the most intimate glimpse’s of the Father’s perfecting of the Son. Yes, even Jesus submitted himself to a process of maturity. We are told Jesus “learned obedience through what he suffered”, he submitted himself to a process giving humanity an example to follow.
Gethsemane was one of Jesus’ pivotal head to head confrontations with the enemy. All of the head to head encounters Jesus had with the enemy are important, but a strong case could be made that Gethsemane was the decisive victory. At the very least it was critical preparation for the Cross. Christian author Max Lucado has said, “The Bible is the tale of two Garden’s, Eden & Gethsemane. In Eden Adam took a fall, in Gethsemane Jesus took a stand!”
“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.”
“Some have supposed that he was praying against the cross, and begging to be delivered from dying on the cross! Did Christ ever shrink from the cross? Never. He came into the world on purpose to die on the cross, and he never shrunk from it. But he was afraid he should die in the garden before he came to the cross. The burden on his soul was so great, and produced such an agony, that he felt as if he was on the point of dying, His soul was sorrowful even unto death. But after the angel appeared unto him, we hear no more of his agony of soul. He had prayed for relief from that cup, and his prayer was answered. He became calm, and had no more mental suffering till just as he expired. This case, therefore, is no exception. He received the very thing for which he asked, as he says, “I knew thou always hearest me.”
The Rev. CHARLES G. FINNEY, THE PRAYER OF FAITH, LECTURE V, LECTURES ON REVIVALS OF RELIGION.
If you look closely at Jesus prayer in John 17, there seems to be a powerful fusion taking place between the Father & Son. It even appears to be a higher level of union. Jesus pray’s asking for a restoration of his prior glory. Jesus is modeling something so profound in this winepress of Gethsemane. Something it seems heaven doesn’t want humanity to miss. The fortifying of his will is put on display and captured in such precise detail. How do we prevail in our moments of deepest anguish? Is there supernatural strength reserved for us in our time of greatest need? Does our receiving this strength require a certain preparation & heart posture on our part?
I am convinced Jesus is fully invested in us having access to his fullness in our desire to overcome. He desires to bring us higher than we can possibly imagine. He wants us to believe in his strength. His full vision for humanity would blow our minds. He doesn’t want to leave us swimming in the mud. He takes our willingness & commitment to this transformation very personally. Do we believe? Are we willing?