"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane…." Matthew 26:36

Here, in the vicinity of the `oil press' [the meaning of Gethsemane], our blessed Lord met the supreme emotional agony of His entire life….

…Are you now in "Gethsemane"? ...Should you leave others behind and stagger on until you can but collapse and cry to the Father in Heaven; should your soul be wrenched in agony yet the heavens be black and silent: DESPAIR NOT! `Tis but the GLORY-PATTERN set for you and me! THE OIL MUST FLOW; and when it's settled, then comes the beating for the light. Remember, there are times and conditions when we are expected to stand alone in Gethsemane that our faith be tried to the roots, and the living Rock of our life our only support. Usually, the intensity of our Gethsemane does not compare to His….

...Behold THE PATTERN: leave them all behind – your friends of words and brawny arm. Take with you "Peter and the sons of Zebedee" (whom He named Boanerges). PETER is `the rock' on which your life is built – without IT there can be no victory in Gethsemane. ZEBEDEE means `the Gift of Yahweh,' to which our Lord supplied the needed key of Boanerges, or `sons of Thunder.' Let the spirit-lightning flash, followed by the THUNDER of your LIVING WORDS – which ring into His Throne-room. Yet KEY your words which cleave the darkness in the spirit of His own: "IF it be possible, let it pass; nevertheless, NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS THOU WILT!" (Matt. 26:38). Bear in mind: THE OIL MUST FLOW! And you ALONE must stand!

Should your flesh be too weak, a strengthening messenger will be sent – assuming your spirit is right. Yet such will never come – unless you have left all behind, with the ROCK your sole support; while WORDS pealing through to the depths of Heaven your only weapon.

Gems for Daily Living