The Purpose of Gethsemane | Suffering

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So just send an email to me at greg@harvest.org again it's greg@harvest.org you can learn more about becoming harvest partner by going to harvest.org coming up today on a new beginning pastor Greg Laurie brings us a message from the Gospel of John, called the purpose of Gethsemane and on the way we all sort of things just 70s and live by that I mean times when it seems like the whole world is closing in on us in times of intimate stress. You don't you don't understand what's happening to you always fall back on what you do understand. I hope you understand and believe that God has a for your life and Christian life is smooth sailing.

Every cloud in the sky roadway wonderful faulty assumption. The Lord doesn't promise perfect weather.

He walks with us in the midst of the store today on a new beginning pastor Greg Laurie shows us how we can be ready see how to prepare for extreme challenge, following the example of Jesus himself as he faced an extreme though, have you ever felt as though your friends abandoned you or that you were completely miss understood. Have you ever been extremely lonely maybe even when surrounded by people, maybe even now, if so, you have a faint idea of what Jesus Christ went through as he agonized in the garden of Gethsemane the way we all sort of face Gethsemane's in life. By that I mean times when it seems like the whole world is closing in on us. Times of ultimate stress in which the cop that we are supposed to drink seems to be too much to bear. We feel like we can't go on another day. Maybe that's even describing someone listening to me right now you're in your personal Gethsemane will Jesus here in the verses before shows us what to do and times of uncertainty.

Look, we cannot always know the will of God in every given situation. And then there are times we know the will of God. And frankly, we don't like it, and there are other times we know the will of God and frankly doesn't make any sense. I think of you interviewed Joseph when he was in prison on false charges after being accused of rape by Potiphar's wife he would say this is making no sense to me if you interviewed Joe right after all that affliction came upon him, he would probably say this is a making a lot of sense to me right now. Maybe you're at that in between stage in life. But listen to this, we must never be afraid to place an unknown future into the hands of unknown God.

You don't you don't understand what's happening to you always fall back on what you do understand. And here's what I hope you understand, or at least what you believe. I hope you understand and believe that God loves you. I hope you understand and believe that God has a plan for your life. I hope that you know and understand that God is not surprised by anything that is come in your life. It is as my friend Randy Alcorn like to say father filter father filter what is that mean it means either God did it, or God allowed either God did it, or God allowed it. And so here we see what is happening to Jesus as he is facing the future. Now here's the difference between there so many differences between Jesus and us, but here's one obvious one. He was God in human form and he knew the future. I don't know about you but I would not necessarily want to know the future. Know what I want to know what everyone really thinks about me. And Jesus did.

By the way it even call people out on it while you think of this in your mind right now there like you know because he's God I would be very disillusioning to have someone complementing you and you really see what they're thinking about you right it's all here in the garden of Gethsemane.

We see Jesus literally suffering suffering so badly that he is effectively sweating blood this next to the cross was the lowest moment, most likely in the life of Jesus. It certainly was the loneliest moment of his life and know this Jesus was the loneliest man whoever lived there was a possible wealth because he brick time was separated from the father as he bore the sin of the world, causing them to cry, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me.

So just know if you're lonely, you're not alone. And Jesus knows what it's like to go to that because as I said logbook of those personal Gethsemane's in life when things are not making sense and so let's look now at what happened to Jesus as he went to the cross for each of us. You know the garden of Gethsemane. It's fascinating because some significant things happen in gardens in the Bible and the garden of Eden men's sins in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus conquered sin in the garden of Eden, Adam hid himself in the garden of Gethsemane, our Lord boldly presented himself in the garden to beat on the sword was drawn in the garden of Gethsemane. The sword was she and so at this point chronologically in her studies and John, Jesus has preached his last sermon he's out of his last meal, and he has also played a beautiful prayer that we look at last time from John chapter 17, where he prayed for us.

Now we come to John 1800 read verses 1 to 11, I'd like you to read with me if you would please.

By the way I'm reading from the new living translation. After seeing these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of all of trees, Judas, the betrayer knew this place because Jesus had often gone there with the disciples the leading priests and Pharisees a given Judas, a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him now with blazing torches, lanterns and weapons. They arrived at the olive grove. Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen again. You might underline that Betty stepped forward to meet them and he asked what are you looking for.

They asked Jesus of Nazareth. I am said Jesus and Judas who betrayed him was standing there, and Jesus said I am available through back and fell to the ground and once more, he asked them who are you looking for and again they replied, Jesus of Nazareth and he says were saved. I told you that I am. And since I am the one you want. Let these others go. He did this to fulfill his own statement. I did not lose a single one of those that you would given me. Then Simon Peter drew his sword and slashed off the writer of Mauk as the high priest slave. But Jesus said to Peter, put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering. The father has given me. While powerful narrative is in it, so there is a gap between verses one and two is filled in by accounts from the other Gospels. Matthew tells us at this point that Jesus said to Peter, James and John stay here and watch with me, Peter, James and John. They spent a lot of time with Jesus. Apart from the others. When Jesus raised the daughter of gyrus from the dead he took Peter and James and John in there with them. When Jesus was transfigured on the mount there. Remember he took Peter, James and John with him and now here in the garden of Gethsemane. Again, it's Peter James and John so we think. All they were like, you know the Lord's favorites right may be, and maybe they were special needs children.

I don't know you know and understand what I'm saying when I was in school I was always getting into trouble, and my teacher on more than one occasion with a Greg Laurie bring your desk right appear right next to mine because I was always fidgeting and bugging people and talking when the teacher was talking the teacher wanted be close to keep her eye or his eye on me.

I just came across one of my old report cards the other day and it was it was so disappointing what the teacher said to me you know. Greg spends too much time drawing cartoons and looking out the window. He's never going to amount to anything. Thank you for those hopeful words but it was basically true so the teacher would maybe bring you closer so they could keep an eye on you. Could that be the case with Peter James and John. I know we love to put the apostles on pedestals, but come on, the more we learn about Peter will see this next time men he knew he messed up many times is full because our legendary and James and John, give me a break. These guys were not called the Sons of thunder for nothing if they were alive today, they would be outlaw motorcycle guys. You know these guys were trouble is it what you talking about what I want occasion they got angry with certain people in the town that were responsive to what Jesus said and it's the Lord shall we call fire down from heaven on them like Elijah did. Jesus is like you they would as he says you don't know what kind of spirits are up I came to save lives, not to post them. That's a loose paraphrase. By the way, but that's exactly what Jesus was saying, and so he says you guys. I want to keep my honey on you stay here and watch with me. When an honor to be asked by Jesus to be with him at this crucial moment of his life. Mr. Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message just a moment we send these daily studies via radio satellite in our podcasts.

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But when we hear the stories of our listeners, heartaches and regrets were encouraged to know the impact on people's lives and why I write Laurie I think a lot on that area more money and long journey yelling and I I only my great love my thank you for that Mary and me.

Not only my baby to be united in story's forgiveness story to tell of how Pastor Greg studies to you, so why not: share with us. Just call 1-866-871-1144 again, 866-871-1144 Pastor Greg is presenting a message today called the purpose of Gethsemane and in our text Jesus to just ask Peter James and John stay with him the night before his crucifixion. Notice he did not say explain this to me because Jesus did not need an explanation. He didn't say preach to me because Jesus did not need to hear a sermon he just said stay with me.

Super why because he was lonely because he was in agony because he wasn't paying any just wanted someone there with them. Here's what you need to know about someone you know who suffering. Maybe they found out they have cancer, maybe they just lost a loved one may be something traumatic is happened to that and you say I want to go help them sometimes the best thing to say is nothing, it's nothing because a lot of times in our attempts to comfort we can actually make it harder for a person because we don't know what it's like and you know you so I know what you're going through, you know, it's crazy what people will say trust me when I tell you this, when you lose a loved one. I've had people say why I know what it's like, you know, we my grandmother died will and I'm sure that's very hard but you know losing a grandmother is not the same as losing a child soon to know what you're going to just am sorry this happened. I have a friend who is their child died and someone literally came up said I know what you're going through our dog just died really, you would've been so much better if you actually said nothing. Then to say something like that people don't always need an explanation and in fact you probably don't know what's going on with them anyway. But here's what they can use a lot of times just a friend. Somebody just a man I I'm so sorry this happened to you. I don't know why this is happening to you, but I want you to know I'm here for you and I'll be praying for you and is there anything I can do for you. That's really all Jesus was asking for number the story of Job. All that tragedy befell him and we read that his friends came to visit them. Three of them.

He was covered in Boyle's head to toe scraping himself with a fragment of broken pottery. There were so stunned they just wept with him and sat with him for seven days without saying a word and you know what that was a perfect thing to do just he would shove it back when when they started talking is when the trouble began so just being with people because people will say things that are supposed to help like I know how you feel when maybe you don't or will there's a reason for everything notably good thing to say to a person. There's always someone worse off than you really is that supposed to help people say things like this or how about this one you know it when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. You know what. Not only is on the biblical just plain don't say that will you know when the going gets tough to shut up. Don't finish it just all please don't quote song title for me just be there. Don't worry, be happy again. I'm in a kill you. Maybe with lemons. I don't know being there. Jesus was in agony. I don't think we understand how hard this was for Jesus over Matthew 26 he said my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Mark's gospel tells us of Jesus in Gethsemane.

He fell to the ground and prayed. If it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Evidently Jesus was in such agony. He cast himself to the ground. He would stand up and fall again to the ground in prayer and one of the most dramatic descriptions of the suffering of Jesus in Gethsemane, Luke writes, bringing this to Luke 22. Hopefully you turn there were 41 he was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and he knelt down and prayed same father. If it is your will take this cup away from me.

Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done. Then an angel appeared from heaven, strengthening him and being in agony he prayed more earnestly and then his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground again. Jesus being God knew the future in vivid detail. He knew he would be denied by the one he had perhaps invested the most and Simon Peter knew he would be the object of Peter's shame and the cause of his cursing. He knew that he would be rejected by his own people Israel that he came to save as Scripture says he came into his own and his own received him not. He had wept over their unbelief. Now he would witness it in full force.

He knew that the disciple whom he loved was about to betray him with a kiss do this Iscariot. He knew he would be tried in their kangaroo court of injustice and subjected to unfair treatment. Ironically, all in the name of God in the worst of all, Jesus would been in constant communion with the father and the Holy Spirit now would have to bear all the sin of the world, past, present and future, and that is why Jesus said if it's possible, take this cup away from me if there's any other way. Please let's find a but of course there was no other way. He who is holy, righteous and pure would have to take upon himself. Everything that was unholy and unrighteous impure and everything in his 30 short years on earth was effectively building to this event.

He knew it was coming. In fact, he began to aggressively address it at a place called Caesarea Philippi.

And there it in Matthew 16 we read from then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly and he had to go to Jerusalem. He told them what would happen know me would suffer at the hands of the leaders in the leading priest, he would be killed and raised again on the third day minutes pretty clear is not a nice listen very carefully. I'm going to be betray. I would be trying to false charges for the religious leaders and to be killed, and all rise again on the third day there I was 20 inches can one over their heads and seem to get it when he was being very clear as to what was going to come down and that he came to taste death for every one according to Hebrews 29 offered at her shy mud Bible commentator made this statement and I quote, he disarmed death burying its shop in his own heart and thereby death had no more arrows." Now Mark gives us a little interesting detail gospel he says is Jesus is in Gethsemane. He says Abba father, Mr. because Abba father is sort of the Hebrew equivalent of seeing daddy if you go to Israel today, you'll see the little children, calling out to their daddies or to mom IMA so it's that's the affectionate cry of the Hebrew child. It's not just father mother dearest it's daddy. And so Jesus says Abba father there in the garden and there was this cup was this cup. He didn't want to drink Isaiah calls it the cup of this. If you tasted anything that just turned her stomach, maybe to get a big gulp and then spit it out again the other day.

Kathy found like chocolate milk on the floor in her house she's in with this chocolate milk come from it is there and there's like a cushion on top of it. How did this happen very suspicious so she has the grandkids. Did any of you spill chocolate milk. No, no we didn't, so she went to Christopher our grandson said did you spill chocolate no no and then he said, but maybe a little boy drank some chocolate milk and it was boiled so he spit it out although maybe and maybe he says he put a cushion on top of it to cover is like a confession but not totally right and I love that is I think what happened was, there were some chocolate milk in our fridge from a decade ago but I know how it was but merely to get drink and it was bad is bold enough to give another big gulp is bad right will Jesus has been drinking this cup. What is this cup listen, of the wrath of God midway through important study called the purpose of Gethsemane pastor Greg Laurie will have more insight for us on the pressure that was on Jesus the night before his crucifixion were learning how to respond to our own times. A pressure and pastor Greg will have a final comment from today study before this edition of a new beginning. Concludes was such a privilege to have best-selling author Lee Strobel with us today is a former atheist and a former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune in 1981 he gave his heart to Christ and for over 40 years has been telling people about the Lord and his new book is called the case for heaven solely you're still though you know you still have a great mind, you're still in intellectual years, but your theologian now to see you brought these skills to the study of heaven, and I think it's hard for people to wrap their mind around heaven yet and there's caricatures of it in films in a like it's a wonderful life you provided every Christmas store or even cartoons or songs and aren't yeah you know, so give us a few thoughts about maybe something you learned about heaven that you didn't know before area or something that impacted you about the afterlife yet. Couple of things I think that when you look at Jesus and what he talked about when you talk about having heat.

He painted the picture to his disciples of heaven being a home and so I made me think, you know I like you I travel around the world and often very difficult situations. I remember being in India and you know sleeping on the ground and living out of a knapsack and and missing home. You get homesick you got along for home and and then when you finally get home and see you know picture months later you finally get home you walk in the door in such a place of warmth and relevant security and you get your own bad. It feels so good that I think Jesus at sats the image I want you to keep in your Michael heaven is our home and and and those qualities of love and security and grace. And so when we think of home.

We have a think of those things we think of heaven and somebody else sets out to be something recently that I thought so.

It's really kind of profound. He said you know heaven is kinda like having a vacation on your calendar supporting me by that. He said you know when things are hard at work when when you're working long hours and customers are difficult in your boss is bringing down your neck and the monies not coming in and things are hard when you gotta vacation on your calendar.

Coming up in a few months you go you know what I'm going to Hawaii. I'm going to Maui in a couple months with my wife and and just knowing that's on the calendar helps you get through the tough times and heaven is like that.

It's like having something on the killed one of the date, but in our future that we can help us get past the difficult times in this life, as we say yes it is hard. It is difficult but you know what I'm going to heaven wonderful and beautiful Michael home.

I can never experienced it and just having that in the future I think gives us courage and gives us perspective dealing with the present, the that's Lee Strobel you're hearing from everyone and he has a brand-new book out called the case, for heaven, subtitled a journalist investigates evidence for life after death they were sending it to you for your gift of any size this month. Yeah that's right in your gift enables us to keep bringing pastor Greg studies your way, and they also help us reach out far and wide with the gospel. You can donate today by calling 1-800-821-3300.

That's a 24 hour phone number 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org and by the way, if you're not receiving pastor Greg's daily devotions in your email box. You can start today there free of charge and there's an audio version of each day's devotion for your convenience as well to sign up. Just go to harvest.org more from pastor Greg's message.

The purpose of Gethsemane before we go pastor Greg comes back to close this way.

Years ago I was I was in the Philippine speaking anti-anybody here from the Philippines against anybody get you, do you know what a balloon is basically a blue is a duck egg which means it's bigger and Tom and the duct is partially formed in the blue there's like the little feathers in the peak but it sort of soft so to partially form dock with egg and it sort of part egg part partially form.with this brown fluid so the ideas you corrected egg and delete it size. There is speaking and they said to me you know Greg, this is part of our culture.

We love the blue and we would love you to eat this, I it would be culturally insensitive. You feed it needed.

They said that I whispered in their area to be more culturally offensive. I eat it and throw up because that's all happened so I never rated I'm sorry to say but just something general appeal to some people.

Other things appeal of others, but that when you eat something that for both of you wanted in your mouth right will Jesus as the drink this cup, every violent perverse sin of humanity. He was now going to bear.

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