sf413 - The Gateway to the Cross (Luke 22 39-46)

Luke 22:39‑46

INTRODUCTION

Background

The history of man is the story of three gardens

Ø Human history and sin began in a garden

Ø We will end up in a “garden city” (Revelation 21:1‑22:7)

Ø Between the two is the Garden where Jesus accepted the cup from the Father's hand.

The Setting

Gethsemane was located just outside Jerusalem, across from a little brook named Kidron. At this particular time of the year the brook Kidron was a very full stream. There was a channel that was used to flow all of the excess and all of the things that had been offered at the temple down to the brook Kidron. This night, when Jesus and His disciples cross over that stream was blood-red.

The Symbolism

Gethsemane = oil press

Ø Olives were crushed so that the oil might be given.

Ø This oil brought light and life to the people.

So it is with Jesus!

Ø When the Lord was crushed, the light was given; where there is light there is life.

1A. His Concern (22:39-40)

1B. He was concerned about their preparation.

Mark 14:34 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."

Watch = gregoreuo, to keep awake, i.e. watch:‑‑be vigilant (present imperative)

Jesus knew that they were controlled by their flesh not by the Holy Spirit.

Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

2B. He was concerned about their perseverance. (22:40)

Enter into temptation.

Ø Enter = to enter into, fall into

Ø Temptation = to try, to test by adversity.

Jesus was concerned that they did not quit.

Ø It had been a long day at the end of a long week.

Ø Time had come for the final test.

Ø Jesus was not concerned that they might loose their salvation. He was concerned that they would loose their testimony.

2A. His Cup (22:41‑42)

John 18:11 So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"

The OT often refers to the "cup of God's wrath" ‑ Judgement on sin (Ps. 75:8; Isa. 51:17; Jer. 49:12).

What was His cup?

1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed.

1B. He bore the presence of our sin.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2B. He bore the penalty for our sin

Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),

3B. He bore the price of our sin

Romans 6:23

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

In the Garden Christ acknowledged the fact that He was our substitute.

3A. His Compassion (22:42b‑44)

1B. Notice His prayer – eight greatest words ever spoken.

He sacrificed His own will - “nevertheless not My will”

Ø This is an act of supreme selflessness

He submitted to God’s will - “...but Yours, be done”

Ø Matthew tells us that He prayed three times. Each time ends the same.

2B. Notice His posture. (22:41)

Mark 14:35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.

The normal posture for prayer was standing.

His posture indicates the seriousness of the subject. (22:44)

The magnitude of His grief apparently caused Jesus’ subcutaneous capillaries to dilate and burst. As the capillaries burst under the pressure of deep distress and blood escaped through the pores of His skin, it mingled with His sweat, “falling down upon the ground” (Luke 22:44).

His posture reveals the sorrow of his soul.

Mark 14:34 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."

There is no record in Scripture of Jesus’ laughing, but there are numerous accounts of His grieving, His sadness, and even His weeping. He wept at the grave of Lazarus (John 11:35) and wept over Jerusalem at the time of His triumphal entry (Luke 19:41).

His posture demonstrates the supernatural source of His strength (22:43)

4A. His Commitment (22:46; John 18:2-11))

1B. He was committed to fulfilling God’s Word. (John 18:2-9)

Mark 14:48-49 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49 "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."

God’s Word predicted His betrayal.

Psalm 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 55:12-13

God’s Word predicted His arrest and suffering.

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

2B. He was committed to finishing God’s work. (18:10-11)

He refused to be defended. (John 18:11; Matthew 26:52-54)

He refused to be distracted.

1 Peter 2:22-23 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

APPLICATION

The formula for spiritual failure

Confidence – self-confidence is the first step toward failure

Sleep – the lack of spiritual/moral vigilance

Temptation

Sin

Disaster

Lessons on prayer…

How we are to pray

Ø We are to pray to God our Father, Abba, Father

Ø We are to pray according to God’s will, how?

Put God and His kingdom first.

Pray according to what the Bible teaches.

Ø We must be persistent in our prayers.

Ø We should pray in faith, expecting God to answer.

What we know about pray

Ø God hears our prayer

Ø God answers prayer

Ø We are commanded to pray

Ø Prayer matters

Ø Prayer is our greatest defense against temptation.

Ø Jesus prayed, giving us and example

Luke 22:39-46

1A. His ____________________________ (22:39-40)

1B. He was concerned about their preparation. (Mark 14:34, 38)

2B. He was concerned about their perseverance. (22:40)

2A. His ________________________ (22:41‑42; John 18:11)

The OT refers often to the "cup of God's wrath" ‑ Judgement on sin (Ps. 75:8; Isa. 51:17; Jer. 49:12).

What was His cup? (1 Peter 2:24)

1B. He bore the _________________ of our sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

2B. He bore the __________ of our sin (Galatians 3:13)

3B. He bore the ________________ of our sin (Romans 6:23; Mark 15:34)

3A. His Compassion (22:42b‑44)

1B. Notice His prayer – eight greatest words ever spoken – “Yet not My will, but Yours be done”

2B. Notice His ________________. (22:41; Mark 14:35)

His posture indicates the seriousness of the subject. (22:44)

His posture reveals the sorrow of his soul. (Mark 14:34)