In The Garden Of Woe
Mat. 26:31- 46, Mark 14: 27-42, Luke 22:39-46, Jo.18:1
Evidently, from the scripture passages I have included above, all four of the apostles had attached enough importance to the Garden Of Gesthemane experience of Jesus, that they all wrote an account of it. It is interesting to also note, that only the accounts of Mathew and Mark contain the word “Gethsemane.” I wonder why this would be?
Let us ask now: what is it about our Savior going into this garden, alone in His spiritual struggles with the powers of darkness that we should draw upon today?
Also, I see another point, at the end of the scene in the garden, which is well worth considering.
“Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.” Jo.18:10
Notice here, the wicked mob, coming after Jesus. Peter gets all in a huff, and slices off the ear of a poor guy named Malchus.
Now, take note of WHO Malchus was. Malchus was a servant of the high priest.
What is the really major significant lesson in Jo.18:10, and what the Bible describes Peter as doing to Malchus?
One thing is for sure. Peter, in his self-righteousness, was trying to handle this problem with the mob, all on his own. He was likely thinking the same thing about Christ that Judas was: How Jesus would come to the rescue & set up His kingdom, if the mob threatened to overwhelm them by Peter'’ attack here.
Peter attacking this SERVANT, is a good example of how very mistaken, and ineffective we can be, when we try to do something in our own strength. The person who would be least likely, or able, to reverse the purposes of the mob that night, would be one of the servants. The High priest would have the most authority to tell the mob what to do, and, Peter should have gone after the one with most authority, in order to win this one.
When we, in our clouds of self sufficiency try to do something for God, we often do something similar. We work at the wrong goals, and are often at cross purposes with Gods designs in a given matter. Like Peter, we will not be able to see the true goals that Jesus has for us in the great controversy. And, when we work for Him, (or think we are), we will often be mostly inneffective. (could a $100,000.00 evangelisitc campaign also qualify as a move like Peter would have made?). Peter denied his Lord, when he cut off the servant’s ear.
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“Many to-day stand where Peter stood when in self-confidence he declared that he would not deny his Lord. And because of their self-sufficiency, they fall an easy prey to Satan's devices. Those who realize their weakness trust in a power higher than self. And while they look to God, Satan has no power over them. But those who trust in self are easily defeated. Let us remember that if we do not heed the cautions that God gives us, a fall is before us. Christ does not save from wounds the one who places himself unbidden on the enemy's ground. He does not impart power to those who reject his guidance. The self-sufficient one, who acts as if he knew more than his Lord, is allowed to go on in his supposed strength. Then come suffering and a crippled life, or perhaps defeat and death.
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In the warfare, the enemy takes advantage of the weakest points in the defense of those whom he is attacking. At these points he makes his fiercest assaults. The Christian should have no weak points in his defense. He should be barricaded by the assurance that the Scriptures give to those who are doing God's will. The tempted soul will bear away the victory if he follows the example of him who met the tempter with the words, "It is written." He can stand securely in the protection of a "Thus saith the Lord."
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There are some lessons that are never learned only through failure. Peter was a better man after his fall. The Lord permits his children to fall; and then, if they repent of their wrongdoing, he helps them to stand on vantage ground. As fire purifies gold, so Christ purifies his people by temptation and trial. If the heart has not been hardened by a disregard of great light, the temptation and fall will bring repentance. Humble, fervent prayer will save the soul from death, and confession and restitution will hide a multitude of sins.”
By this story from Gethsemane; I can see where God is telling me certain areas of self sufficiency in my life, have worked against His ideals for the situation; and also, how any point of self-sufficiency constitutes one of those weak areas, that Satan so loves to use.
But, thanks be to God who giveth us the victory:
“Tis midnight; and on Olive’s brow
The star is dimmed that lately shone
Tis midnight in the garden now
The suffering Savior prays alone.
Tis midnight, and from all removed
The Savior wrestles lone with fears
Yet even that disciple Jesus loved
Heeds not his master’s grief and tears.
Tis midnight; and from ether plains
Is born the songs that angels know
Unheard by mortals are the strains
That sweetly soothe the Savior’s woe.”
- selected
This poem also reinforces the idea of how ineffective we are in the conflict with evil when we depend upon ourselves. The line “Yet even that disciple Jesus loved; heeds not His master’s grief and tears,” shows how we miss what is really happening with other people, when we are out of sinc with God’s plans, and preoccupied with our self-sufficient ways. How then can we meet people at the point of their felt need, if we are so bent on self that we miss what they are expressing as areas of want?
It can be seen by the records of scripture, that just as soon as Jesus had obtained the victory in the Garden; how an angel had appeared to Jesus here, and ministered to him. Peter went for the wrong man, the man who was least in power to be able to do anything re Jesus's current propects.
How did the angel “minister” to Jesus there in the Garden Of Gesthemane? What did the angel say or do with Jesus, and what was the result of the angel’s visit to Christ here in Gesthemane?
Perhaps this is a point where we can see how Jesus reaches us when we are all prayed out, and can pray no more, and are totally exhausted from the conflict? Then, He sends an angel? How would an angel similarly help us today? What has been your experience here? Can you describe your understanding on this point from the Bible or the SOP writings?
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“Ushered into the Christian life we no longer complain of darkness; for we have the light of life and joy which Christ said would be in all who abide in him. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
In place of having less love as we advance in the Christian life, we are to have love that will increase more and more until our love is perfected; and where there is perfect love, there is full joy. We can be happy when we see God in everything. When we can see him in affliction, we have comfort and solace in our sorrow.
When the sunshine of prosperity smiles, we recognize that the blessing flows from the fountain of life, and when trial and affliction are ours, we realize that the hand of the Lord is in all our perplexities, and thus we come to understand that sunshine and shadow are needful to perfect the character of the believer, and give him the true joy of perfect trust in God; for through faith he looks beyond the things that are seen to the things that are unseen.
He says, "Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
When we emerge victorious from our personal Gethsemane; we will join the glad refrain of the angel of old in proclaiming of our own, personal experience: 
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