We are starting a new series called the “Run to Resurrection.” It is our journey to Resurrection Sunday, that beautiful Sunday morning when Jesus defeated death and rose from the dead.

Today we are going to spend time with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

We need to realize that Gethsemane and all the events that took place after that time were about the will of God being embraced by Jesus! This is seen in our sermon verse today

He (Jesus) said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” —Mark 14:36

See, Jesus could not avoid the cross because He was obedient and faithful to The Father. In fact, we cannot avoid it either! Jesus reminds us

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. —Matthew 10:38

Today, we will consider 3 Lessons from Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

I. Jesus shows us God is with us even in the darkest hour.

Then they went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and became very troubled and distressed. He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay alert.” —Mark 14:32-34

Of all the things Jesus could have spent His final hours doing, He chose to pray.

The words SIT HERE, while I pray express the intense emotional, psychological, and spiritual suffering that Jesus was experiencing. Luke describes how the stress and anxiety Jesus felt manifested itself.

And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. —Luke 22:44

Jesus goes in prayer to the Father because He knows that GOD will NEVER let Him down!

So what did God do? He sent an angel to strengthen Him.

And there appeared to him (Jesus) an angel from heaven, strengthening him. —Luke 22:43

Jesus sought the Father and the Father met Him with a provision to strengthen Him. Second for today,

II. Jesus shows us the depth of relationship God desires with us.

Let’s look again at our sermon verse for today

And he (Jesus) said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” —Mark 14:36

Jesus reveals the depth of relationship God WANTS to have with each one of us.

Notice Jesus calls out to God using the term Abba, Father! Jesus’ use of the term was without precedent in its time, because Jews did not use this term in reference to God.

This goes to the heart of HOW we see God.

The religious leaders could not recognize who Jesus was because they did not know God in relationship; they knew the Law, the facts and figures about Him… BUT not Him personally, intimately.

Jesus reveals in this prayer that God wants intimacy. He wants to be close to you. James encourages in this way

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you… —James 4:7-8

III. Jesus shows we are called to embrace God’s will.

That’s the crux of our sermon verse today isn’t, Not My Will But Your Will be Done!

Jesus is going to suffer a lot; He will even, for the first and only time, face a time of separation from God.

Around three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice,“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” —Mark 15:34

If Jesus could not avoid the cross, can you? Our calling is to take up our cross daily and follow Him!

Are you willing to follow God’s will no MATTER where it leads?
You can trust Him; He will not let you down!