Places of the Passion: Gethsemane based on Matthew 26:36, 47-56

I. A perfect storm

II. We walk with Jesus to the garden of Gethsemane. Mt 26.47 “While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.”

III. Betrayal. Mt 26.48-50 “Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”

IV. Chaos. Mt 26.51 “And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.”

V. This is a perfect storm. Who is in control? Mt 26.52-53 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”

VI. Jesus said in Jn 10.18 “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

VII. WWII ground troops vs. fighter pilots and their stress levels. Stuck in a backup of cars on an Interstate highway and stress levels.

VIII. Always be in control. That does not work.

IX. Give up control to Jesus and His control. Mt 26.54 “But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” Mt 26.56 “But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.”

X. Jesus is calm because He trusts the Scriptures. Zechariah 12.10 ““And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced.” Zechariah 13.7 “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”

XI. In a Peanuts comic strip, Lucy is struggling with her Sunday School memory verse. Finally, she says, “Maybe it’s a verse from the book of Reevaluations.” The book of Reevaluations!

XII. Jesus signed His name for us in blood.

XIII. In a perfect storm, Jesus gives us perfect peace.