Moment of Meditation: Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-37)

''Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. (Matthew 26:36-37)''

Gethsemane. Chaldean for "oil press." Where our Lord was pressed under sorrow and deep distress.

We talk about being '''VERY''' upset. Months ago (and maybe still now), many in the listening audience of these meditations were distressed over the situation at the hospital. Some were pressed down by the weight. Whether they were patients, staff or board members.

Being pressed in an oil press is not a pleasant experience. Jesus characterizes it next time as being "exceedingly sorrowful." All He could do was leave His disciples behind Him and encourage them to pray. Pray for Him. Pray for themselves. Pray in anticipation and preparation for what was to come. Jesus' time was at hand.

Having been put through the oil press of Gethsemane and then hung out on the cross of Calvary, Jesus has overcome. Instead of distressed, He is glorified. Your Gethsemane is here in this life. But in the life to come, Jesus waits to give you everlasting life. Amen.