The Storm Before the Breakthrough

The Garden was a Hard Place

But it was a Necessary Place

Everyone flees and leaves Jesus

You can know what God is doing and know how its going to end and still you/we freak out.

The Garden is a lonely Place

Don’t let your freakout murder your faith

Sweating blood, also known as hematohidrosis, is a rare condition where blood is excreted from intact skin. It's thought to be triggered by intense emotional or physical stress, or in some cases

Luke 22:39–46 “39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.””

The simplest meaning of Easter is that we are living in a world in which God has the last word. An Easter Carol Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer; Death is strong, but Life is stronger; Stronger than the dark, the light; Stronger than the wrong, the right; Faith and Hope triumphant say, Christ will rise on Easter Day.

Phillips Brooks (Bishop of Massachusetts)

The Cross was a Hard Place

But the Tomb was a place of Victory and to get to the tomb you have to go through the garden and the cross!

Roman solider; surly this is the Son Of God

People mocking Jesus

Jesus while the Fathers back is turned to Him still ministers to other, the thief on the cross. They were so close that Jesus said, “When you see Me you have seen the Father.”

Physical Pain

Matthew 27:32–43 “32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now…”

The Upper Room was a Hard Place

They had just experienced the death of Jesus and also resurrection. And they are thrust right into a season of birthing. The dream of what they thought Jesus would do is dead and they are brought directly into what is actually going to happen.

But the Day of Pentacost was a place of victory, 3000 got saved. Logistical nightmare

The birth of the N.T. church

Acts 1:12–14 “12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

Life without Jesus is empty

Its can seem void of any real purpose

Eternity is scary and uncertain

Matthew 28:1–10 “1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them,…”

Trust and Obey for there is no other way…

Easter is the beginning of God’s new world.

N. T. Wright

Jesus had such a peace that He slept through the storm. But the disciples didn’t.

Breakthrough - A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development.