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WALKING WITH PG 53 ÉREMOS PLACE SLOPES OF THE MOUNT OF 5 PART — THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE ON THE ON GETHSEMANE OF GARDEN —THE praying to His Father among among Father His to praying moments before His arrest arrest His before moments Garden of Gethsemane Jesus spent the final the spent Jesus these groves. olive these +

ÉREMOS PLACE PG 54 WALKING WITH JESUS PG 55 choosing to. choosing intentionally without go wouldn’t you somewhere path, beaten the off far area an place, awilderness of image the conveys It “isolated.” or “abandoned,” “deserted,” word, Greek original the from atranslation is This Solitary. where he prayed.” place, solitary to a off went and house the left up, got Jesus dark, still was it while morning, the in early “Very glances: quick those of one offers 1:35 Mark schedule. day-to-day His into glimpses occasional get we life, Jesus’ of accounts the In GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE for the context to this lesson. this to context the for ANCHOR TEXT: éremos Please read :39-44 22:39-44 Luke read Please , which means means , which

only beginning to share a life-on-life still were disciples Christ’s point, this At 1:35). (Mark Father His with alone time spent and quiet, someplace went bed, of out got He morning, next the risen had sun the before even But day. along had Jesus (1:32). healed be to desperate evening, the into late Him around all gathered Crowds (1:34)! disease and demons out drive to power the had touch His even and lives, changing was Rabbi and Prophet This 1:33). (Mark Him of apiece wanted town whole the shore, northwestern ’s of Sea the on of city the in was Jesus when ministry, His of half second the During

many people from suffering and pain. But But pain. and suffering from people many deliver did Jesus And 4:2). (Malachi wings His in healing with come would Messiah the that foresaw Malachi prophet the ministry, Jesus’ before years hundred Four 1:38) (Mark come.” Ihave why is That also. there preach I can somewhere the nearby villages—so else—to go us “Let expected. had they what not was reply Jesus’ you” (1:37). for looking is “Everyone exclaimed, they Jesus, found finally others the and Simon When again. them on in pressing began crowds the Already, 1:36). (Mark gone was He realized and up woke they once frantic grew they so time, His prioritized He how or schedule Jesus’ know yet didn’t 1?) They Part from (Remember Him. with relationship diatríbō

this church was constructed by Christians by Christians this church was constructed olive press in the Garden of Gethsemane, Gethsemane, of Garden the in press olive Built over the remains of a first century century afirst of remains the over Built into, so that they could then invest in others? in invest then could they that so into, pour He would disciples His of Which day. the in hours many so only had still Jesus But multiplied. had followers His of number the time, this By Capernaum. from miles two about amountain on Father His with another shared Jesus Later, healing. of work ultimate His was This nations. the to Gospel His take would who disciples up raise to and world, the of salvation the for life His down lay to came He God. and us between separation sin’s destroy to but healing, physical bring to only not world our into entered God, of Son eternal the Christ, purpose. fuller ministry’s His the in Father His with alone time spent He as éremos place, Jesus understood understood Jesus place, from all over the world. the over all from All of Church éremos moment +

ÉREMOS PLACE PG 56 WALKING WITH JESUS PG 57 years old. 1,000 than more some ancient, are of east trees olive knotted and gnarled These Garden of Gethsemane + His closest disciples, so He could be be could He so disciples, closest His away sent even and crowd, the dismissed Jesus come. would God of Kingdom the that way the nor time the neither éremos those in Father the with communion His of because But King. promised God’s Messiah, the was He knew Jesus once. at come to and power, in come to Kingdom God’s wanted They martyrs. into turn heroes spiritual their watching of weary grown had they Perhaps 6:15). (John King their as Christ crown to wanted people the moment, that in But heart. Father’s the about them teaching and them feeding crowds, the comforted He 53:3). (Isaiah pain” with familiar and suffering, of “man the was Jesus before, years 700 predicted Isaiah as Just well. as sorrow their entered His of midst the in Him upon heavily bore sadness His As John. of followers likely over 5,000—were people—numbering These (14:13). shore the along moving crowd agreat noticed Christ Father, the before grief His bringing along, drifted He As Galilee. of Sea the onto aboat in withdrew He 14:12), (Matthew Baptist the John beheaded had Antipas Herod that heard Jesus when region, same that In 5:1-2). (Matthew Mount the on Sermon famous His preach to began He and gathered, had that crowd the from name by disciples 12 the called He (6:13). mentor and lead to Him given had Father the men which certainty absolute with knew Jesus daybreak, By 6:12). (Luke Father His to prayed Christ long, night All éremos spaces, He also knew this was was this knew also He spaces, place, Jesus compassionately compassionately Jesus place, with God. with alone get to place aspecial designated also had He but , of arhythm maintain that: Catch 22:39-40). (Luke temptation’” into fall not will you that ‘Pray them, to said he place, the reaching “On continues: Scripture lives. their of part aregular became it that consistently so retreats prayer to out disciples His invited He but Father, His with away get to apriority it make Christ words, those Notice 22:39). (Luke him” followed disciples his and Olives, of Mount the to usual as out went “Jesus says Bible the meal, the After 22:14). (Luke time last the for meal Passover the shared disciples the and He after place took Scripture in recorded moments Jesus’ of last The 2:13). (John calendar Hebrew the of celebrations and feasts recurring the for capital the to south of city the to Capernaum from 80-mile on disciples His led regularly Throughout His three-year ministry, Jesus victorious. again rise would He day, third the on And 16:21). (Matthew a cross to nailed be would He Passover, At them: to clear perfectly timing Father’s the Philippi to north disciples His brought Jesus hill, seaside that from down coming After Father. His with more once alone Jerusalem (Matthew 16:13). There, He made made He There, 16:13). (Matthew the place in . They often traveled traveled often They Judea. in . Not only did Jesus Jesus did only . Not as usual . Not only did did only . Not éremos Caesarea Caesarea

ÉREMOS PLACE PG 58 WALKING WITH JESUS PG 59 , AND HIS DISCIPLES HIS AND OLIVES, OF MOUNT “JESUS USUAL AS OUT THE TO WENT FOLLOWED HIM."

LUKE 22:39 LUKE

ÉREMOS PLACE PG 60 Whenever Jesus went down to Jerusalem, night. Instead, He prayed in the place that that special place was the Garden of even Judas, the betrayer, was familiar with Gethsemane. Gethsemane, meaning “oil (:2). Judas didn’t need to guess press,” was an olive grove on the eastern where Christ would be that night. He’d side of the outside the city be in His usual place; He’d be praying walls. Here, olives were gathered and in Gethsemane. pressed into the precious oil used in lamps to light up the evening sky. It was here that We will never know the excruciation that Jesus “knelt down and prayed” (Luke 22:41), Jesus endured in the garden and on the filled with such anguish that “his sweat cross—because He bore it all in our place. was like drops of blood falling to the But all of us will face difficulties and trials ground” (22:44). in this life. Because Christ laid down His life on our behalf, we can come to God with In that moment, Jesus was being crushed absolute confidence, freely entering our beneath the weight of our sin and the holy Heavenly Father’s presence. When we’re judgment of God that would fall upon Him too busy or too drained, when we have in our place. As He looked ahead to the questions or need direction, when we’re PG 61 WE ALL NEED TO FIND OUR cross, He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, in danger or in need, we can get alone take this cup from me; yet not my will, but with God. PG 62 ÉREMOS PLACE. yours be done” (Luke 22:42). It might sound like Jesus was on the verge of running away, WE CAN COME TO GOD WITH but look a little closer. ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE, WALKING WITH JESUS ÉREMOS PLACE PLACE ÉREMOS When Christ came to this finaléremos FREELY ENTERING OUR place, He brought the men whom the Father chose for Him (John 17:6). Jesus HEAVENLY FATHER’S PRESENCE. submitted Himself to His Father’s timing and surrendered entirely to His Father’s We all need to find ouréremos place: a will (17:4). What was He doing here? regular rhythm and a special place where Laying down His life, freely and in perfect we can open our Bibles, open our lips in obedience (10:18). Even against the darkest prayer, and seek His “grace to help us in our darkness, His light shone bright (1:5). time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus only had to look across the valley to see the temple looming over Jerusalem’s walls. There His enemies were gathering to arrest Him. He could have gone anywhere else in the city and escaped capture that DIVE DEEPER

1 What is your éremos place—that special 4 The Garden of Gethsemane wasn’t just place where you meet with God alone a familiar place for Jesus—His disciples to pray and read His Word? Do you also knew it well. This was a place where maintain a regular rhythm of specific He modeled devotion and prayer for devotional habits? them. Do you have someone in your life for whom you can model a regular rhythm 2 Jesus often withdrew in order to submit of prayer and Bible reading? Himself to His Father’s timing, direction, and will. Describe a time when you 5 If you could get alone with God right now, sought God’s leading or His will. What what would you ask? was that experience like? Mount of Olives 3 What are some distractions that keep you from getting alone with God in the éremos place? Western Wall Temple PG 63 EXTRA INFO Garden of

Gethsemane The Greek word éremos means “solitary,” “lonely,” “desolate,” or “uninhabited.” This word is often PG 64 used to describe places such as a desert, wilderness, or lonely regions. This word is used about 50 times in the , often to describe places where God sent people in order to have an Southern Steps intimate encounter with Him. These were places for refinement, testing, dependence, and growth. WALKING WITH JESUS ÉREMOS PLACE PLACE ÉREMOS

Jesus brought His disciples to to tell them His Father’s plan and timing for His Upper Room death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21). This Roman settlement contained many altars to idols, false gods, and even demons. Jesus chose this area of confused worship to ask the question, “Who do you say that I am?” (16:15). In that same area of Caesarea Philippi, a Roman temple was built in front of the mouth of a large cave, considered by the Romans to be the gates into Hades. With this scene in the backdrop, Jesus made the powerful declaration of His reign and His Kingdom’s power: “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (16:18).

Christ’s dedication to getting alone with His Father is evident by how many locations He selected to retreat in prayer. Not only did Jesus choose several éremos places around Capernaum, where He spent most of His ministry, but He also made it a priority to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane whenever He made the 80-mile journey down to Jerusalem.

JERUSALEM IN JESUS' TIME The record 33 instances when Jesus prayed. His ministry began with prayer (Luke 3:21-23; 4:1-2) and ended with prayer (Luke 23:46; John 19:30). Christ also established several rhythms of prayer: often He would pray in the morning (Mark 1:35), and sometimes all night long (Luke 6:12). If Jesus, the perfect Son of God, so prioritized prayer, how much more should we?