From Gethsemane To Glory
Easter is one of those religious festivities which conjure
a bitter sweet flavour. The bitterness comes because we often reflect on Jesus’
trial and subsequent crucifixion yet it is sweet since Jesus overcame the grave
and now lives in Glory making intercession on our behalf. “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place
called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “sit here while I go over here and
pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to
be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “my soul is overwhelmed with
sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” - St. Matthew
26:36-38. Easter continues to have a very powerful and indeed personal meaning
to many Christians. It is that time of year when Christians enter a period of
reflection. It is also that season when God-fearing Jamaicans from all
denominations pack the pews of churches in observance of Passion Week which embodies
the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Christians believe, according
to Scripture that Jesus was raised from the dead three days after his death on
the cross. I am sure you have pondered
on numerous occasions what Gethsemane looked like? Perhaps you have asked yourself
why Gethsemane. Having that Gethsemane experience is a necessary component along
the journey for a Christian. It is that time when our backs are against the
wall and there is no other way but to seek God through prayer and fasting. Prayer is a critical tool in keeping the
communication process open. Prayer is
that channel which provides for the Christian not only an outlet but also an
opportunity to speak to the Heavenly Father. Jesus led by example, not only in
the garden of Gethsemane but throughout the entire Bible in going in prayer to
God. The garden of Gethsemane according
to Encyclopedia Brittanica is located across the Kidron Valley on the Mount of
Olives, a mile long ridge paralleling the Eastern part of Jerusalem. The area
is approximately 1200 square metres. The name in Hebrew means “oil press”. Jesus’
agony, betrayal and arrest are documented in the Scriptures. The trial,
crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus were foretold in the Scriptures
long before his birth. The prophet Zechariah foretold
the betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Zechariah 11:4-17, revealed the payment of 30 pieces of
silver and of a good shepherd whose service is terminated. Matthew 26:15
explained the payment of 30 pieces of silver coins which was paid to Judas for
Jesus’ betrayal. Judas organized the time and place of Jesus’ betrayal.
Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples
Psalm 41:9, is one of David’s prayer in which he asked God for mercy in the last days. Some Christians believes that it was inspired by God, as it reveals a betrayal of a close friend with whom he had shared bread. This foreshadowed something that happened years later with Jesus. St. Matthew 26:47-50 brings to light Jesus’ betrayal by Judas, one of the 12 disciples, shortly after Jesus and the apostles had shared bread during the Last Supper.
My colleague Troy makes an invaluable point in which he stated, “many people will not understand the significance of the death of Christ. This is because they are looking not to understand but to criticize and prove it as being foolishness. Troy opines that we often focus on the beating and embarrassment laid on Jesus. Troy believes the beating was possible the least of Jesus’ suffering. He adds, that based on the beatings and strain on His body, Jesus should have been dead before the cross. “At the very least His body should have gone into shock and render Him unconscious. However, he had to hold on.” As the Scriptures says in St. John 15:13, “greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Jesus was spat upon and flogged
Isaiah 50:6 states, gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. Isaiah explains that one of God’s servants would experience abuse at the hand of sinful men. Some Bible scholars have acknowledged this Old Testament prophecy as being fulfilled by Jesus Christ, who lived about 700 years after Isaiah. The New Testament explains that he was beaten, mocked and taunted shortly before his crucifixion by the Romans. Matthew 26: 67 says, then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, v 68 Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee?
Jesus died for our sins
In Isaiah 53:4-6, the prophet wrote about a servant being punished for the sins of others and that by his wounds people would be healed. As explained in the New Testament, the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus was crucified for our sins, and he was sinless. During the days of Old, the offering of animal sacrifice was used symbolically as a means of cleansing people from sin. Through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, we all can be cleansed and become a part of his Kingdom through faith.
Troy stated that the work was not finished and Our Father sent Jesus to complete a task spoken of hundreds of years before he came. Troy argues that he has accepted that Jesus’ crucifixion was the greatest moment of suffering. He stresses that we must realize that He was never separated from the presence of God, never was his communication with God severed. This fact is reinforced in the Scriptures which highlighted that even as a baby in the womb He was in tune with God so much so that when John in his mother’s womb was in his presence he responded to God incarnate. According to Troy Jesus’ greatest pain was having the Father turn away from him because of the sin that he took on for the entire world, then and now. Every vile, wicked, immoral sickening thing we can think of Jesus bore the burden of it all.
The Burial of Jesus
In Isaiah 53:9, the prophet wrote about a sinless servant who was put to death with the wicked and buried with the rich. About 700 years after this was written, Jesus was put to death between two criminals and was buried in a tomb owned by a wealthy man as explained in the New Testament. The New Testament also says that Jesus was resurrected three days later and ascended into Heaven. Jesus himself personified glory and his endurance of such suffering speaks to the depth of his love towards us that while we were sinners Christ gave his life for us.
Reflections
A colleague, Eileen, shared her thoughts, “It is so significant to know that the God of glory, who was living in glory was willing to go through such suffering where his sweat became as drops of blood.” Eileen added, Yet Jesus stuck with it, He did not give up. He endured this suffering because of his love for us. This is an example to us (Christians) and to those who want to become children of God that the reward for serving God will be to share in His glory. Eileen argues that whenever we go through trials on earth but persevere, we should take comfort that this suffering is just for a time, and the best is yet to come.
My cousin Yvonne stated, “rejection, restoration, redemption are synonymous with the Gethsemane experience . She added that in life all of us have Gethsemane experiences but if we live for Him, we shall see Him in glory.
The glory of God is captured in the powerful lyrics from the gospel song, “Show Me Your Glory by Jesus Culture. “I see the cloud, I step in. I want to see your Glory as Moses did. Flashes of light, rolls of thunder, I am not afraid, I am not afraid.”
“Man will forever sin and God is not foolish to this. So we are not damned because we sin but due to our refusal to accept this offering redemption from sin.” So says Troy.
We should not fear the glory of God. In fact, the sole purpose of life here on earth is to prepare us for His glory when we shall reign with Him.
What are some of your Gethsemane experiences? Perhaps, you are that individual who is always extending a helping hand to neighbours, yet in return you are betrayed. May be you are that student who is always sharing your notes and knowledge with peers yet your peers are unkind to you in return. Perhaps you are that teacher who despite of giving your very best cannot get that promotion, however, be not discouraged in due course you will reap your just reward.
In the garden of Gethsemane, Christ bore His suffering, agony and humiliation with such grace and humility that we who are Christians should look to his example. During this Lenten season leading to Easter we must engage in a process of reflection and spiritual renewal in order that we too can reign with Christ. Let us use this period of Easter to repent since Jesus is always willing to forgive and restore us to righteous. We can never experience glory without first having our Garden of Gethsemane experience. Have a holy and blessed Easter.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
Thanks to Elaine Thompson for her contribution. Elaine can be reached at elainemax_thom@yahoo.com
#Easter #glory #Lent #Gethsemane #reflection #agony #suffering #betrayal #prayer #LastSupper #GoodFriday #HolyThursday #PassionWeek #triduum
Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples
Psalm 41:9, is one of David’s prayer in which he asked God for mercy in the last days. Some Christians believes that it was inspired by God, as it reveals a betrayal of a close friend with whom he had shared bread. This foreshadowed something that happened years later with Jesus. St. Matthew 26:47-50 brings to light Jesus’ betrayal by Judas, one of the 12 disciples, shortly after Jesus and the apostles had shared bread during the Last Supper.
My colleague Troy makes an invaluable point in which he stated, “many people will not understand the significance of the death of Christ. This is because they are looking not to understand but to criticize and prove it as being foolishness. Troy opines that we often focus on the beating and embarrassment laid on Jesus. Troy believes the beating was possible the least of Jesus’ suffering. He adds, that based on the beatings and strain on His body, Jesus should have been dead before the cross. “At the very least His body should have gone into shock and render Him unconscious. However, he had to hold on.” As the Scriptures says in St. John 15:13, “greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Jesus was spat upon and flogged
Isaiah 50:6 states, gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. Isaiah explains that one of God’s servants would experience abuse at the hand of sinful men. Some Bible scholars have acknowledged this Old Testament prophecy as being fulfilled by Jesus Christ, who lived about 700 years after Isaiah. The New Testament explains that he was beaten, mocked and taunted shortly before his crucifixion by the Romans. Matthew 26: 67 says, then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, v 68 Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee?
Jesus died for our sins
In Isaiah 53:4-6, the prophet wrote about a servant being punished for the sins of others and that by his wounds people would be healed. As explained in the New Testament, the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus was crucified for our sins, and he was sinless. During the days of Old, the offering of animal sacrifice was used symbolically as a means of cleansing people from sin. Through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, we all can be cleansed and become a part of his Kingdom through faith.
Troy stated that the work was not finished and Our Father sent Jesus to complete a task spoken of hundreds of years before he came. Troy argues that he has accepted that Jesus’ crucifixion was the greatest moment of suffering. He stresses that we must realize that He was never separated from the presence of God, never was his communication with God severed. This fact is reinforced in the Scriptures which highlighted that even as a baby in the womb He was in tune with God so much so that when John in his mother’s womb was in his presence he responded to God incarnate. According to Troy Jesus’ greatest pain was having the Father turn away from him because of the sin that he took on for the entire world, then and now. Every vile, wicked, immoral sickening thing we can think of Jesus bore the burden of it all.
The Burial of Jesus
In Isaiah 53:9, the prophet wrote about a sinless servant who was put to death with the wicked and buried with the rich. About 700 years after this was written, Jesus was put to death between two criminals and was buried in a tomb owned by a wealthy man as explained in the New Testament. The New Testament also says that Jesus was resurrected three days later and ascended into Heaven. Jesus himself personified glory and his endurance of such suffering speaks to the depth of his love towards us that while we were sinners Christ gave his life for us.
Reflections
A colleague, Eileen, shared her thoughts, “It is so significant to know that the God of glory, who was living in glory was willing to go through such suffering where his sweat became as drops of blood.” Eileen added, Yet Jesus stuck with it, He did not give up. He endured this suffering because of his love for us. This is an example to us (Christians) and to those who want to become children of God that the reward for serving God will be to share in His glory. Eileen argues that whenever we go through trials on earth but persevere, we should take comfort that this suffering is just for a time, and the best is yet to come.
My cousin Yvonne stated, “rejection, restoration, redemption are synonymous with the Gethsemane experience . She added that in life all of us have Gethsemane experiences but if we live for Him, we shall see Him in glory.
The glory of God is captured in the powerful lyrics from the gospel song, “Show Me Your Glory by Jesus Culture. “I see the cloud, I step in. I want to see your Glory as Moses did. Flashes of light, rolls of thunder, I am not afraid, I am not afraid.”
“Man will forever sin and God is not foolish to this. So we are not damned because we sin but due to our refusal to accept this offering redemption from sin.” So says Troy.
We should not fear the glory of God. In fact, the sole purpose of life here on earth is to prepare us for His glory when we shall reign with Him.
What are some of your Gethsemane experiences? Perhaps, you are that individual who is always extending a helping hand to neighbours, yet in return you are betrayed. May be you are that student who is always sharing your notes and knowledge with peers yet your peers are unkind to you in return. Perhaps you are that teacher who despite of giving your very best cannot get that promotion, however, be not discouraged in due course you will reap your just reward.
In the garden of Gethsemane, Christ bore His suffering, agony and humiliation with such grace and humility that we who are Christians should look to his example. During this Lenten season leading to Easter we must engage in a process of reflection and spiritual renewal in order that we too can reign with Christ. Let us use this period of Easter to repent since Jesus is always willing to forgive and restore us to righteous. We can never experience glory without first having our Garden of Gethsemane experience. Have a holy and blessed Easter.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
Thanks to Elaine Thompson for her contribution. Elaine can be reached at elainemax_thom@yahoo.com
#Easter #glory #Lent #Gethsemane #reflection #agony #suffering #betrayal #prayer #LastSupper #GoodFriday #HolyThursday #PassionWeek #triduum
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