FOLLOWING JESUS TO GETHSEMANE
MEMORY VERSE: And he came out and went, as he was wont to the mount of olives and his disciples also followed him. (Luke 22:39)
TEXT: Matt. 26:36-45, Mark 14:31-41, Luke 22:39-49, John 18:1-2
INTRODUCTION
Gethsemane is an olive-yard at the foot of the mount of olives to which Jesus retires with his disciples (Luke 22:39). Bible history revealed that there is an oil press at the foot of this mountain. It is also specially a memorable place of His/Jesus’ agony (in prayers) (Mark 14:32, John 18:1, Luke 22:44).
It is pertinent to note that for a great destiny to be birth, there must be a “travailing”. Isaiah 66:8… For as soon a Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. So, for the course of salvation of the souls of men to be settled eternally, there had to be a Gethsemane experience. A place where the flesh is swallowed up by the spirit. A place where humanity must be strengthened by divinity, (Angel) to avoid temptation and failure. It’s a place where human “will” must be lost In God’s “will”. A place where distraction is avoided through intense prayer to God Almighty.
In the text above, we have seen that the disciples followed the master to the garden of Gethsemane. In the beginning of 2026, Sunday school series “FOLLOWING JESUS”. We learnt that you can’t follow someone when your heart, intellect, faculty, body is at variance with the one you claim to follow. If it is the case with you, then you can be termed a hypocrite by God. This is true because you are following someone whom your heart does not agree with. And remember the object(s) of focus is the “DISCIPLES”.
The disciples followed Jesus to GETHSEMANE – that agonizing moment of Jesus’ life on earth.
The challenging question this year to us is: Are you following Jesus? And if it is “YES”. To where do you follow Jesus? Is it only when you have good promises. You are the one to answer these questions.
THE DISCIPLES FOLLOWED
Luke 22:39…and his disciples also followed him. Before the night of Jesus arrest, while on the table of super with his disciples. Before the agonizing moment of our master Jesus Christ. He foretold the danger that will soon erupt the disciples. He said to them this night all of you shall be offended because of me (Jesus). Mark 14:27… For it is written I will smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered. The prophecy of Jesus about his suffering sooner or later did not scare the disciples from following him to the garden of Gethsemane, Except Judas.
In your course of following Jesus, is there any foreseen danger? Is there any foreseen evil information? Is there any threatening against your faith? And as such you want to give up the faith. Don’t let that frightened you. Because in your Gethsemane with Jesus, is your gate-way to eternal glory.
- IN FOLLOWING TO GETHSEMANE HUMAN “WILL” IS LOST
IN GOD’S “WILL” Luke 22:42…Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.
Following Jesus to Gethsemane, your “will” is lost in God’s “will” for the betterment of your life. It is in Gethsemane through intense prayer that your “will” must be align with God’s “will” for your life and great destiny. - IN GETHSEMANE, HUMAN WEAKNESS IS STRENGTHNED
Luke 22:43……… And there appeared an Angel into him from heaven strengthening him. Through determined and intense prayer, your spiritual muscles will receive strength in the time of weakness. It is in following to Gethsemane that you are encourage to pray in other to avoid entering into temptation. It is a place of being alone with God. And Jacob was left alone. (Genesis 32:24).
CONCLUSION
Be a true follower of Jesus. Even when the coast is not clear. It is in following Jesus to Gethsemane that you will be strengthen and your “will” be lost in the “will” of God.
