Daily Reflections on Mt. 26:36-46 (A Garden Experience)

Of all the places that I visited in the Holy Land, the Garden of Gethsemane was the most moving place for me. We stayed at a hotel in the Arab sector that overlooked the eastern gate of the city of Jerusalem. As I took my morning run, the call for morning prayers went out. Before I finished, the sun would be rising and it's glistening rays would reflect in a brilliant glow on the golden Dome of the Rock. The shadows of the Kidron Valley would slowly dissipate as the sun rose higher in the sky.

It was on one of those glorious sun shiny days that we made our way down the steep incline from our hotel on the Mount of Olives to Gethsemane. Our guide walked us through old spindly olive trees giving us insight into the garden, olive trees, and the olive business. He explained that Gethsemane meant "olive press." He noted it was appropriate for Jesus to pray there in the garden because it was where Jesus endured the greatest pressure of His life. For it was in the garden that Jesus made the ultimate decision to go to cross for us. He noted that His life was then poured out as both the healing and anointing oil on us, that allowed the Holy Spirit to come into our lives.

Our guide suggested some scriptures to read and then gave us some individual devotional time. As I plopped down against the base of one of the olive trees in the garden and opened my Bible and prayed, I was suddenly overcome with emotion. I couldn't choke back the tears that began to flow. It occurred to me that it was at that spot 2,000 years prior that Jesus prayed for me. He was going to the cross in a matter of hours and He was praying for me.

I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't write in my journal. I was never so humbled in my life. The imagery of that night consumed me. And just as the disciples had abandoned Jesus and fled into the darkness, I realized how many times I've done the same thing. I knew more than ever before how unworthy of His love and grace I really was. Yet, I was never more grateful.

God, every time I read these words I am drawn back to that place in the Garden where I encountered you. You touched my spirit. My emotions are evoked as I contemplate again the thought of your son praying for me. The reality of Jesus' personal sacrifice for me comes alive in my being and I'm deeply drawn to you.