Lesson From Israel - Part 4
I will never forget my first glimpse of Jerusalem. It was Thursday, October 21st. We had spent the earlier part of the day traveling the country – a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, the ruins of Capernaum, a first century lunch in Nazareth, Caesarea Maritime on the Mediterranean. Finally, as the sun was beginning to set, we made our way up to the top of the Mount of Olives. As we reached the top of the mount, suddenly the city of Jerusalem appeared. There before us, was the city that I had read of so many times; the city that is central to both biblical history and prophecy; the only city that is called, the “Holy City.” And, there it was now before me, the sun glistening off of gold domes; the walls looking strong and proud. What a spectacular sight!
The next day we returned back to the Mount of Olives, once again late in the day. Again we took in a breathtaking view of Jerusalem. This time however, rather than driving down towards the city, we took the path that Jesus would have taken many times, descending towards Gethsemane (which is really more of an olive grove than what we would call a “garden”). We paused at the point at which it is supposed Jesus paused to weep over the city. We soon arrived in Gethsemane, taking time to remember Jesus’ final time there, spending some time in prayer – each one under their own olive tree.
Thus it was that, we experienced almost simultaneously both the glory of Jerusalem and the sadness of Gethsemane. In a short time I sensed that my emotions had swung from the awesome delight of seeing the “holy city” to great heaviness as I thought of Jesus praying in that garden. I recalled that, it was there that Jesus had cried out to his heavenly Father with sweat like drops of blood bursting through his forehead, praying, “ Father if you are willing take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42 - NIV) It was there that Jesus wrestled with the pain and suffering that was about to come. But, it was also there that the Father ministered to his Son. As Luke wrote, “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” (Luke 22:43 – NIV) What a beautiful picture of the faithfulness of God the Father ministering to Jesus in his time of great anguish!
Gazing at the “holy city” from the Mount of Olives is truly a spectacular sight. We’d all love to live in moments like that one (I know I would). But, the truth is, life is not just about the spectacular moments. Our lives include not only mountain top experiences with great visions of glory. There are times when life leads us into some Gethsemane experiences – those heart-wrenching moments when sorrow is prominent; times when we realize the future before us is a difficult one; times when we must wrestle with whether or not we will truly trust God with our lives. It is in the midst of those Gethsemane experiences that, like Jesus did, we too ought to feel free to cry out to God, expressing our anguish and pain and fear while at the same time, asking him for his help and strength. It is during those times that we learn what it truly means to submit ourselves to God’s will for our lives. And, we must not forget that, no matter how dark the situation before us may be, God will always be faithful to minister to us and help us in our time of need.
If today you are on the mountain top, rejoice in the goodness and glory of God. If, however, you find yourself in Gethsemane, put your trust in God. He will be faithful to see you through.
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you….” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 –NIV)
Have a great day!
-Pastor Tim Harris
The next day we returned back to the Mount of Olives, once again late in the day. Again we took in a breathtaking view of Jerusalem. This time however, rather than driving down towards the city, we took the path that Jesus would have taken many times, descending towards Gethsemane (which is really more of an olive grove than what we would call a “garden”). We paused at the point at which it is supposed Jesus paused to weep over the city. We soon arrived in Gethsemane, taking time to remember Jesus’ final time there, spending some time in prayer – each one under their own olive tree.
Thus it was that, we experienced almost simultaneously both the glory of Jerusalem and the sadness of Gethsemane. In a short time I sensed that my emotions had swung from the awesome delight of seeing the “holy city” to great heaviness as I thought of Jesus praying in that garden. I recalled that, it was there that Jesus had cried out to his heavenly Father with sweat like drops of blood bursting through his forehead, praying, “ Father if you are willing take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42 - NIV) It was there that Jesus wrestled with the pain and suffering that was about to come. But, it was also there that the Father ministered to his Son. As Luke wrote, “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” (Luke 22:43 – NIV) What a beautiful picture of the faithfulness of God the Father ministering to Jesus in his time of great anguish!
Gazing at the “holy city” from the Mount of Olives is truly a spectacular sight. We’d all love to live in moments like that one (I know I would). But, the truth is, life is not just about the spectacular moments. Our lives include not only mountain top experiences with great visions of glory. There are times when life leads us into some Gethsemane experiences – those heart-wrenching moments when sorrow is prominent; times when we realize the future before us is a difficult one; times when we must wrestle with whether or not we will truly trust God with our lives. It is in the midst of those Gethsemane experiences that, like Jesus did, we too ought to feel free to cry out to God, expressing our anguish and pain and fear while at the same time, asking him for his help and strength. It is during those times that we learn what it truly means to submit ourselves to God’s will for our lives. And, we must not forget that, no matter how dark the situation before us may be, God will always be faithful to minister to us and help us in our time of need.
If today you are on the mountain top, rejoice in the goodness and glory of God. If, however, you find yourself in Gethsemane, put your trust in God. He will be faithful to see you through.
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you….” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 –NIV)
Have a great day!
-Pastor Tim Harris
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