Fuel for Our Christian Light

Do you ever feel like the world is pounding you with temptation, or finances are pressing you to a bitter pulp, or stress is grinding up your peace? Where do we turn? What do we do?

Jesus faced some of His greatest stress by taking time to pray. Of all the places he could have chosen to go he walked to"The Garden of Gethsemane." The irony of this lies in the meaning of"Gethsemane." It is Hebrew for"oil press." The above sketch is of a first century oil press found in Capernaum in Israel. The olives during harvest season contain one half their weight in oil. They are laid in the basin which served as a type of track for a large, round stone. The first pass of the stone would extract the purest or virgin oil. This oil had no pulp and was used mainly for lamps, cosmetics and holy anointing.

As Jesus entered the garden feeling like His sorrow would kill Him. He fell to the ground in agony praying. He sought support from others, but they slept after He specifically asked for prayer. He began to pray again with His sweat falling like drops of blood. An angel came to strengthen Him. He prayed more. The Hebrew (5:7-8) writer describes Jesus' vehement cries and tears accompanied with godly fear and obedience. What a combination! "He learned obedience by the things he suffered." He arose from Gethsamane to give Himself on the cross. (Matt 26 and Luke 22)
Legs on the Lesson - Pressed He Persevered
What do you do in Gethsemane? When you are feeling pressed to no end, sorrowful to death, in sweating agony - what do you do?
Do we pray? Do we ask others to pray? Jesus did the right thing asking Peter, James and John. They were the ones who erred.
Do we pray for God's will to be done, even if it means more suffering for us? What spiritual maturity! Have you reached this level?
Do we decide to do the right thing? Jesus didn't decide to fight back, give up and challenge God the Father. He decided to continue living in the Father's will. The motive of prayer is to find the strength to obey!
He persevered in spite of the pain. How can the Hebrew writer say "He learned obedience by the things which he suffered?" We don't really have faith in God until we do (His will) the right things even in the midst of pain. Deciding to be godly when what we really feel like doing is dying comes to those who enter their Gethsemane to agonize with stress until God gives them the strength to say, "Your will be done." You can not overrate perseverance. In the first century the press made oil that fueled lanterns. Jesus' shining moment came during His most stressful time. Do you use this as fuel for your Christian light?
Do you feel pounded, pressed and distressed? Enter Gethsemane like our Lord, cry vehemently in prayer and exit doing His will. That is the only way w know things will work out best. Shine Jesus shine - in me!

August 26, 2007



Fuel for Our Christian Light Do you ever feel like the world is pounding you with temptation, or finances are pressing you to a bitter pulp, or stress is grinding up your peace? Where do we turn? What do we do? Jesus faced some of His greatest stress by taking time to pray. Of all the places he could have chosen to go he walked to"The Garden of Gethsemane." The irony of this lies in the meaning of"Gethsemane." It is Hebrew for"oil press." The above sketch is of a first century oil press found in Capernaum in Israel. The olives during harvest season contain one half their weight in oil. They are laid in the basin which served as a type of track for a large, round stone. The first pass of the stone would extract the purest or virgin oil. This oil had no pulp and was used mainly for lamps, cosmetics and holy anointing. As Jesus entered the garden feeling like His sorrow would kill Him. He fell to the ground in agony praying. He sought support from others, but they slept after He specifically asked for prayer. He began to pray again with His sweat falling like drops of blood. An angel came to strengthen Him. He prayed more. The Hebrew (5:7-8) writer describes Jesus' vehement cries and tears accompanied with godly fear and obedience. What a combination! "He learned obedience by the things he suffered." He arose from Gethsamane to give Himself on the cross. (Matt 26 and Luke 22) Legs on the Lesson - Pressed He Persevered What do you do in Gethsemane? When you are feeling pressed to no end, sorrowful to death, in sweating agony - what do you do? Do we pray? Do we ask others to pray? Jesus did the right thing asking Peter, James and John. They were the ones who erred. Do we pray for God's will to be done, even if it means more suffering for us? What spiritual maturity! Have you reached this level? Do we decide to do the right thing? Jesus didn't decide to fight back, give up and challenge God the Father. He decided to continue living in the Father's will. The motive of prayer is to find the strength to obey! He persevered in spite of the pain. How can the Hebrew writer say "He learned obedience by the things which he suffered?" We don't really have faith in God until we do (His will) the right things even in the midst of pain. Deciding to be godly when what we really feel like doing is dying comes to those who enter their Gethsemane to agonize with stress until God gives them the strength to say, "Your will be done." You can not overrate perseverance. In the first century the press made oil that fueled lanterns. Jesus' shining moment came during His most stressful time. Do you use this as fuel for your Christian light? Do you feel pounded, pressed and distressed? Enter Gethsemane like our Lord, cry vehemently in prayer and exit doing His will. That is the only way w know things will work out best. Shine Jesus shine - in me! August 26, 2007	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM