Lent 2013: In Gethsemane Jesus submitted to the authority of the Bible.

To understand the message of the suffering of Jesus in the "Garden of Gethsemane," we must see the place of "gardens" in the history of redemption and salvation.

The Bible story of our relationship with God begins with the "Garden of Eden." In this garden, fellowship between God and man was established. In this garden, God was man's friend.

But then came man’s fall into sin. The God/man relationship was ruined. That's why man had to be evicted from the garden. The alienation between God and us had begun.

On the other hand, the Bible story ends with telling us about the garden at the end of time, the garden called “Paradise”. The Book of Revelation tells us that unlike Eden, nothing impure will ever enter this garden, nor anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful. And there will be no more judgment, no more evil temptation and those who share God’s presence forever, will never fall into sin again.  

Between these two gardens lies the "Garden of Gethsemane."  In order to bring God’s people back into fellowship with him, the Lord Jesus had to experience the suffering, temptation and sacrifice of his blood-sweat in Gethsemane. Jesus suffered the hostility between God and man that Eden caused.

In a way, Gethsemane was the second Eden.  Jesus went through the rejection of the Father that the sin in the first Eden caused.

Yet Gethsemane was also the overturning of the outcome of Eden. In the first Eden, Adam was tempted and fell. In the second Eden, Jesus Christ was tempted and remained obedient.

We can say that in this era we still live in the Garden of Gethsemane. Until Jesus returns, we are to keep watch with him and experience the overturning of the Eden events.  Thus we are prepared for the Garden of Paradise in heaven. 

The question remains.  As we linger in this holy place of reconciliation, obedience and sacrifice with Jesus, taking up our cross to follow Christ, are we doing better than the friends of Jesus did 2000 years ago?

Are we as clueless as Peter who draws his sword, picking a fight and more importantly, missing the whole point of the arrest of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 

Are we like Judas, ruthless betrayers and malicious enemies, even as we share in this holy space?

Are we like the rest of the disciples - shameless cowards!

As part of his reprimand to Peter, Jesus said: 

 "... how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" (Mt 26:54). And, "... this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled" (Mt 26:56).

Jesus was going to do the Father's will.

Jesus did what the Bible told him to do.

Jesus submitted to the authority of the Holy Scriptures!

Nothing on earth or heaven would stop Jesus to accomplish our redemption as revealed through God’s Word in the Scriptures.

This is how we live in Gethsemane - and pass on to Paradise.

To believe what the Bible says.

To do what the Bible says!

To make sure we are not clueless about what the Bible says.

To submit to the authority of Scripture.

And as such, follow our Saviour from Gethsemane, through Calvary and resurrection, to glorious Paradise!