154. Gethsemane.

And they came to a place which was name Gethsemane. - Mark 14:32.

Our Lord left the table of happy fellowship, and passed over the brook Kedron, so associated with the sorrows of David (2 Sam. 15:23).

He then entered into the garden, named Gethsemane, not to hide himself from death, but to prepare for it by a season of special prayer. Gethsemane was our Lord's place of secret prayer (John 18:1-2).

If he resorted to his closet in the hour of trial, we need to do so far more.

In his solitary supplication he was oppressed with a great grief, and overwhelmed with a terrible anguish.

It was a killing change from the cheerful communion of the Supper to the lone agony of the garden.

Let us think with great solemnity of the olive garden where the Savior sweat as it were great drops of blood.

I. THE CHOICE OF THE SPOT.

1. Showed his serenity of mind, and his courage.

· He goes to his usual place of secret prayer.

· He goes there though Judas knew the place.

2. Manifested his wisdom.

· Holy memories there aided his faith.

· Deep solitude was suitable for his prayers and cries.

· Congenial gloom fitted his exceeding sorrow.

3. Bequeathed us lessons.

· In a garden, Paradise was lost and won.

· In Gethsemane, the olive-press, our Lord himself was crushed.

· In our griefs, let us retreat to our God in secret.

· In our special prayers, let us not be ashamed to let them be known to our choicer friends, for Jesus took his disciples with him to his secret devotions in Gethsemane.

II. THE EXERCISE UPON THE SPOT.

Every item is worthy of attention and imitation.

1. He took all due precautions for others.

· He would not have his disciples surprised, and therefore bade them watch. So should we care for others in our own extremity. The intensity of his intercourse with God did not cause him to forget one of his companions.

2. He solicited the sympathy of friends.

We may not despise this; though, like our Lord, we shall prove the feebleness of it, and cry, "Could ye not watch with me?"

3. He prayed and wrestled with God.

· In lowliest posture and manner (see verse 35).

· In piteous repetition of his cry (see verses 36 and 39).

· In awful agony of spirit even to a bloody sweat (Luke 22:44).

· In full and true submission (Matt. 26:42,44).

4. He again and again sought human sympathy, but made excuse for his friends when they failed him (see verse 38).

We ought not to be soured in spirit even when we are bitterly disappointed.

5. He returned to his God, and poured out his soul in strong crying and tears, until he was heard in that he feared (Heb. 5:7).

III. THE TRIUMPH UPON THE SPOT.

1. Behold his perfect resignation. He struggles with "if it be possibles" but conquers with "not what I will, but what thou wilt." He is our example of patience.

2. Rejoice in his strong resolve. He had undertaken, and would go through with it (Luke 9:51; 12:50).

3. Mark the angelic service rendered. The blood-stained Sufferer has still all heaven at his call (Matt. 26:53).

4. Remember his majestic bearing towards his enemies.

· He meets them bravely (Matt. 26:55).

· He makes them fall (John 18:6).

· He yields himself, but not to force (John 18:8).

· He goes to the cross, and transforms it to a throne.

We, too, may expect our minor Gethsemane.

We shall not be there without a Friend, or he is with us.

We shall conquer by his might, and in his manner.