"'Abba, Father,' he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will,
but what you will.'"

(MARK 14:36)

Matthew 26:36-46
The first time I visited the Garden of Gethsemane, my burning desire was to steal away from our
group and pray. From the Mount of Olives, the view of the Old City is magnificent. Being in this place
where Christ was nearly takes my breath away.


Roman soldiers must have taken out most of the olive trees in the siege of 70 AD, but a few twisted, ancient trees from when Jesus prayed still remain. The crowds and vendors swell around the Church of Agony, built in memory of that final night when Jesus came here and knelt. All are welcome to the formal gardens, but the noise of the crowd intrudes and our group feels a need for quiet and prayer. A friend recommends we walk across the narrow road where a family owns a small garden, part of the original cluster of olive wood.


We read together from the Gospels about that night, just before they came to take Him away. Then each of us finds a quiet place as the walls hide the busyness outside. Sitting and kneeling, Bibles in hand, we keep watch and, like our Savior, we pray.



Scripture Focus

Matthew 26:36-46

Insight

JESUS, SPEAK TO US TODAY AS YOU DID THAT NIGHT WHEN THEY TOOK YOU AWAY. "LOOK, THE HOUR IS NEAR."

Bible In A Year

  • Deuteronomy 13-14
  • Psalm 86
  • Acts 9