Silence and Stillness before God (2 minutes)
Photo by Emre Gencer on Unsplash
Scripture
He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Devotional
Following the Last Supper Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn and went out to the Mt of Olives to a place called Gethsemane. “Gethsemane” is derived from the Hebrew meaning “oil press.” In Jesus’ day the Mt of Olives was graced with thick groves of trees, most likely olive trees. In the production of olive oil the pits were removed and olives were placed into a large basin and the pressing began by rolling a large millstone over the olives. The precious oil would be separated from the pulp.
In the place called the oil press Jesus experiences the pressing, the anguish, and overwhelming sorrow at what lay ahead. He prays in earnest that this cup would be removed. Is there another way? Jesus presses the Father three times. The answer is no. The price must be paid. It was an astounding price and yet Jesus loved us enough to pay it.
Question to Consider
What is the pressing cup you would rather not drink today?
Prayer
Father, as the song says, “in the crushing, in the pressing, You are making new wine”. I yield my will to you today. Help me to drink this cup before me. Give me the joy of Your presence on this journey however hard it may be. Thank you for the great price Your Son paid for me. Amen
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
The 40 days of decrease blogs have been inspired by the book “40 Days of Decrease” by Alicia Britt Chole.
Expressions from Summerside Community Church 