In this thread, I would be really interested in discussing Jesus, in the Garden Of Gesthemane.

When I contemplate this scene; I find myself deeply moved...and I feel this tugging at my heart strings..

I want to start out, by simply asking an open ended question; and I will say more later;

What really happened in the following Scripture passage, and how might it impact the believer today?

Here are the verses:

Luke 22: 39 "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. {willing, remove: Gr. willing to remove}

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,"

Let God's Word be true.

We all have times where we get a small "taste" of what Jesus experienced in Gesthemane.
One of the things that hit me the most about this scene in the Garden Of Gesthemane, was how the disciples fell asleep, and left Jesus to continue alone in his trial.

It is often the case, where church members today who have grievous trials to bear, cannot trust the details to human ears; for fear of being misunderstood, or further discouraged.
Other people sometimes let us down, disappoint us, and diminish our hope.

Let us look at a good example of this, where Ellen White has a similar experience, and then we will look in more detail, at the Savior, coming to the Garden alone:

1T.016.001

"Arriving at home, I spent most of the long hours of darkness in prayer and tears. One reason that led me to conceal my feelings from my friends was the dread of hearing a word of discouragement.
My hope was so small, and my faith so weak, that I feared if another took a similar view of my condition, it would plunge me into despair. Yet I longed for someone to tell me what I should do to be saved, what steps to take to meet my Saviour and give myself entirely up to the Lord.

I regarded it a great thing to be a Christian, and felt that it required some peculiar effort on my part."

(to be continued).

I went through at least one "Gethsemene" experience when our son died almost 11 years ago. He was almost 33. I learned from that experience that the only people who can really understand our pain is someone who has been badly hurt themselves. Even though the church members mean well, they cannot always understand, but, their caring does help. After I regained a "certain amount of sanity," I told God to please use me whenever, wherever He could to help another hurting person, and, He has allowed me to do that many times.

The most worn book in my library is "The Ministry of Healing." I love these quotes on p.471, they have meant much to me, and I have been able to point them out to others who were hurting, and asking "why?" "The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He refines....." When going through suffering, those quotes have been a comfort. And, my church family have been a great comfort, but we read of Jesus that "they forsook Him and fled."

I hope you will add more to this devotional, for it is a blessing to me.

In Christ's Love,

Dora

It is good to see God's Word touching someone.

I am preparing another post for this thread.

"Commit...trust...and He worketh." (Ps.37:5)

“Suffering” from loneliness is a much different thing; when compared to “being” alone; making the choice to “be” alone.
Mat.26: 40 “And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?”

In looking at Christ, in the Garden of Gesthemane; I am reminded of the fact of life, that being lonely, is never the same thing, as being alone. Jesus had special times when He chose to be alone; and His people today, will also have poignant times when they make a choice to be alone:

Luke 6:12 “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

I believe that Jesus speaks to His lonely, and hurting people today through the well-known song:“I come to the Garden alone while the dew is still on the roses…”

Jesus, in His Garden, was THE Rose….

“Lo, how a Rose e’r blooming
from tender stem has sprung
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As men of old have sung

It came a flower bright
Amid the cold of winter
When half spent
Was the winter.”

(taken from hymn #131).

I speak here, as one who has suffered acutely from loneliness; and the difference between being alone, and suffering from loneliness, is that loneliness is the feeling of being alone and feeling despondent and rejected about it. That is why I specifically called it “suffering” from loneliness.

And sadly, Christmas is a time of excruciating loneliness for many. Trapped by poverty, whipped with abuse, imprisoned by drugs or booze, shunned in their church, heart-broken by death or illness; perplexed with doubt, frozen by fear.

The church is not exempt from the pressures that everyone in the world faces today. There are too many churches, and not enough Truth. There are seven days in a week, and churches are only open one.

How will the holidays be for those whom we have shunned and rejected, because they were not perfect enough?

Some have been openly ridiculed and betrayed by those who they thought were friends.

The Prophet of the Lord knows what that was like:

RH.1883-10-16.017 “My trust is in God. I have learned not to be surprised at opposition in any form or from almost any source. I expect to be betrayed, as was my Master, by professed friends.”

The kiss of Judas is freely doled out to many an undeserving soul, making their Christmas a nightmare.

Jesus truly suffered in His Garden. All his closest disciples deserted Him, and left Him alone. He truly felt the human suffering of jagged emotions nurtured with despondence; and lavished by rejection.

All of us feel lonely some of the time. But, it is only when we seem trapped in our loneliness that it becomes a real problem. Then, it becomes the “suffering” of loneliness:

If you are “suffering” when everyone else is rejoicing; take heart; and go to the Garden alone. Jesus will have you. Just as you are. (Jo.6:37).

Isaiah 58:11 “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden…”

What is the solution to our “suffering?”

RH.1889-03-19.008
"When I was in Europe, a sister wrote to me in the deepest distress. She was in despair, and she wrote, "Can't you say a word of encouragement to me? Can't you tell me of anything I could do to be relieved of my burden?" The night after I had read her letter, I dreamed that I was in a garden, and a stately personage was conducting me through its paths. I was picking the flowers and enjoying the fragrance, when this sister, who was walking by my side, called my attention to some unsightly thistles that were impeding her way. There she was, mourning and grieving. She was not walking in the pathway, following the guide, but was walking among the briers and thorns.

"Oh," she mourned, "is it not a pity that this beautiful garden is spoiled with thorns?" Then the guide turned, and said, "Let the thistles alone, for they will only wound you. Gather the roses, and the lilies, and the pinks;" and now she is doing this. Why not have something pleasant to think about? "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

What does Ellen G White specifically mean by “The Garden Of God,” and all the lilies, the roses, and the pinks?

RH.1889-03-19.010
”The precious Bible is the garden of God, and his promises are the lilies, and the roses, and the pinks. Why do you not gather the fragrant flowers, and leave the thistles alone? Why do you not dwell on the love of Jesus? Why do you not bring gratitude into your life for all the benefits you have received from your Heavenly Father? The more thankfulness you express, the more you will have to express. The whole universe is looking upon us; and see what efforts God has made for our salvation.

He has given his only begotten Son to die for us. He was willing to come to our world, to leave the royal throne, that he might save the fallen race of men. Says the prophet, "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." He made an infinite sacrifice on Calvary's cross for us. Then why is it that we are always talking of our bruises? Why are we not healed? He died to pardon our sins, and to become our righteousness. When Satan comes to tell you that you are sinner, tell him that you know you are, but that Christ came into the world to save sinners, and that makes him your Saviour. I love him; I believe in him to-day.”

DA.829.002
As the place of His ascension, Jesus chose the spot so often hallowed by His presence while He dwelt among men. Not Mount Zion, the place of David's city, not Mount Moriah, the temple site, was to be thus honored. There Christ had been mocked and rejected. There the waves of mercy, still returning in a stronger tide of love, had been beaten back by hearts as hard as rock. Thence Jesus, weary and heart-burdened, had gone forth to find rest in the Mount of Olives. The holy Shekinah, in departing from the first temple, had stood upon the eastern mountain, as if loath to forsake the chosen city; so Christ stood upon Olivet, with yearning heart overlooking Jerusalem. The groves and glens of the mountain had been consecrated by His prayers and tears. Its steeps had echoed the triumphant shouts of the multitude that proclaimed Him king.

On its sloping descent He had found a home with Lazarus at Bethany. In the garden of Gethsemane at its foot He had prayed and agonized alone. From this mountain He was to ascend to heaven. Upon its summit His feet will rest when He shall come again. Not as a man of sorrows, but as a glorious and triumphant king He will stand upon Olivet, while Hebrew hallelujahs mingle with Gentile hosannas, and the voices of the redeemed as a mighty host shall swell the acclamation, "Crown Him Lord of all!”
May God bless you as you go to the Garden alone.

“Isaiah ‘twas foretold it
The Rose I have in mind
With Mary, we beheld it
The virgin mother kind

To show God’s love aright
She bore to them a Savior
When half-spent was
The night…”

(Hymn #131, concluded).

But Gethsemene is not yet the time of gladness of victory, but the fuller entering in of sorrows that is victory's foundation.

Believe me, I prefer the loneliness of being alone. When in a group, and not one of them, loneliness is almost insufferable.

If there was ever a place where Christ felt all alone was on the Cross when He uttered in anguish those lonely words, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?"

When the trials are thickest; and all usual earthly support falls away; we are "in the Garden alone; and we can draw the following lessons and assurances only there, in the Gesthemane that we each must allow God to "cultivate."

Jesus is the source of every right impulse. Every desire for Truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon our heart. As the prophet Isaiah says in Chapter 12, verse 2: “I will trust, and be not afraid.” You too, must trust Jesus…

“Trust Jesus, be not afraid
Everyday is a fresh beginning
Your soul will beam with the glad refrain
Inspite of old sorrow, and older sinning
And puzzles forcasted
And possible pain…
Take heart with the day, and begin again.”

Yes friend; trust wholly and faint not, even in thy sorest straights. He that loveth thee will not let thee suffer one pang too many.

Listen in thy darkest hour, and thou shalt hear Jesus whispering to thy soul: “O thou afflicted, tossed with tempests, and not comforted. Behold, I will lay thy stones with colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.”

And, after the storm, light, beauty, and gladness, and a richer, sweeter life in God; then thou wilt heartily approve the methods of His grace, and rest in His everlasting love; for Jesus has promised: “I am with you always – even unto the end…” His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches you!

I would like to share some of the Spirit of Prophecy quotations that support this idea, in my opinion:

Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1, page 127, paragraph 3
Chapter Title: Emotional Factors
Feelings of Unrest Sometimes Good.--Feelings of unrest and homesickness or loneliness may be for your good. Your heavenly Father means to teach you to find in Him the friendship and love and consolation that will satisfy your most earnest hopes and desires. . . . Your only safety and happiness are in making Christ your constant counselor. You can be happy in Him if you had not another friend in the wide world.--Lt 2b, 1874. (HC 259.) 128

We can see here that loneliness can be for our own good. We are being taught by God that He really is our only solace and consolation. If we had had all kinds of friends around during trying times, we may have never learned this lesson of trust.

Now let me share a couple of experiences that Ellen White had...

Testimonies for the Church Volume One, page 12, paragraph 2
Chapter Title: My Childhood
"The relief of tears was denied me. I could not weep readily, as could my twin sister; though my heart was heavy, and ached as if it were breaking, I could not shed a tear. I often felt that it would greatly relieve me to weep away my sorrow. Sometimes the kindly sympathy of friends banished my gloom and removed, for a time, the leaden weight that oppressed my heart. How vain and empty seemed the pleasures of earth to me then! how changeable the friendships of my young companions! Yet these little schoolmates were not unlike a majority of the great world's people. A pretty face, a handsome dress, attracts them; but let misfortune take these away, and the fragile friendship grows cold or is broken. But when I turned to my Saviour, He comforted me. I sought the Lord earnestly in my trouble, and received consolation. I felt assured that Jesus loved even me."

If you will notice, it seems Ellen White was quickly taught the lesson that so-called "friends" will desert you when you need them. She learned early on to trust in God. Now here is another instance:

Testimonies for the Church Volume One, page 583, paragraph 2
Chapter Title: Sketch of Experience
"I was shown a cluster of trees standing near together, forming a circle. Running up over these trees was a vine which covered them at the top and rested upon them, forming an arbor. Soon I saw the trees swaying to and fro, as though moved by a powerful wind. One branch after another of the vine was shaken from its support until the vine was shaken loose from the trees except a few tendrils which were left clinging to the lower branches. A person then came up and severed the remaining clinging tendrils of the vine, and it lay prostrated upon the earth.

The distress and anguish of my mind as I saw the vine lying upon the ground was beyond description. Many passed and looked pityingly upon it, and I waited anxiously for a friendly hand to raise it; but no help was offered. I inquired why no hand raised the vine. Presently I saw an angel come to the apparently deserted vine. He spread out his arms and placed them beneath the vine and raised it so that it stood upright, saying: "Stand toward heaven, and let thy tendrils entwine about God. Thou art shaken from human support. Thou canst stand, in the strength of God, and flourish without it. Lean upon God alone, and thou shalt never lean in vain, or be shaken therefrom." I felt inexpressible relief, amounting to joy, as I saw the neglected vine cared for. I turned to the angel and inquired what these things meant. Said he: "Thou art this vine. All this thou wilt experience, and then, when these things occur, thou shalt fully understand the figure of the vine. God will be to thee a present help in time of trouble." From this time I was settled as to my duty and never more free in bearing my testimony to the people. If I ever felt the arm of the Lord holding me up, it was at that meeting. My husband was also free and clear in his preaching, and the testimony of all was: We have had an excellent meeting."

We can see that Ellen White was "shaken away from human support". This again was so that she would trust in God. The same way Moses, when called by God to deliver His messages, was made to feel his own weakness and that he was really in himself- not an eloquent speaker. This was actually a good thing. He needed to learn not to rely on himself or upon others...

There is another place in the Testimonies that talk about the fact that before we can attach to the Vine (Jesus)- the first thing we need to do is to de-tatch from human support and from everything else in the world. I believe also that this is a lesson we must learn because there will come a time when we will have to stand alone... we are being prepared for it now:

Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, January 11, 1887, paragraph 2
Article Title: Our Present Duty and the Coming Crisis
Already the judgments of God are abroad in the land, as seen in storms, in floods, in tempests, in earthquakes, in perils by land and by sea. The great I am is speaking to those who make void his law. When God's wrath is poured out upon the earth, who will then be able to stand? Now is the time for God's people to show themselves true to principle. When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when his law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few,--this will be our test. At this time we must gather warmth from the coldness of others, courage from their cowardice, and loyalty from their treason. The nation will be on the side of the great rebel leader."

Claudia

A while back when I was going through troublesome times, I had a dream which made me understand something. In this dream there were 5 people standing by a tree who were asleep and had a rope tied around their waste which was tied also to the tree. The other 5 people were awake and were not tied to this tree. When Jesus came, those tied to the tree still were not prepared to go up with Jesus at all.

I really do think the Ten virgin story says a lot. The question is: Are we tied down to earthly things? Remember the passage where EG White talked about her vision on going up a steep hill and it getting a little closer and closer where they had to get rid of everything... their shoes, everything, to be able to climb. I view Gethsememe as something different than a one time hard experience. I see it as that Jesus went through all that mankind has to go through and passed every trial.

I cant find the exact location of this quote but I know EG White said when speaking of the True Witness to Laodicea that we would have to be on constant trial through our Christian experience... and each time the trial would grow a little more intense till finally God would see if we were fully prepared to give up all for Him. I view Gethsemene as just the final test of that lifetime trial that Jesus went through for us and that we have to go through also.

We are constantly tested a little closer and closer to see if we are unattached from earthly things... be it property, human support, or reliance upon food for emotional support, or just anything we may place as an idol above God. All day long we are being put through a sort of trial to see what we love most.

I think that most of the time we are really unaware of what's going on and dont realize this trial and its purpose. We have to realize that in every thing we do, we are making a decision either for God or against Him. Do we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, spirit? Profession of faith is easy,,, all the ten virgins professed faith in God, they all wore the white robes... But allowing God in every little part one's life is another thing altogether.

"Gethsemene" isnt so that we can have some way to feel comforted... it is so that we can know where we really get our comfort, and what we are really leaning upon every day of our lives... The foolish virgins didnt make the Holy Spirit their reliance, and in the end they were still trying to get their "oil" from human beings. The wise ones had gotten it from God all along and were prepared.

Claudia

[ February 19, 2002: Message edited by: Claudia Burrow ]

These are all such excellent contributions to this subject...all things I had in mind but didn't know where to begin.

Thankyou so much for your replies.

With every usual form of earthly support cut off; it is for most, a much different ball game.

All too often, we reject this garden experience as one with too many weeds. Or, we get there, into the garden alone, and we try to start pulling the weeds out ourselves! (and often, one by one). The trouble starts though, when the very next day, after pulling out one weed, a couple more spring up to take it's place.

Ever get "tired of it all," and want to pack in the Bibles in favor of an easier route?

I have found, personally, that God's whole purpose in getting us to the place where we are in the garden alone, is so that we may learn COMPLETE DEPENDENCE UPON CHRIST.

There is no other way to learn this lesson, but by having everything fall out from under your feet...your money, your job, your health, you name it. But when we are in a narrow confine, how many of us turn our backs on Christ and deny Him by our thoughts or actions?

How many of us would actually choose to go to the Garden alone, if we had a choice? What might it mean if we were to choose, or not choose this experience? Do we even have a choice, or does God just pick our name out of His cosmic hat, and say: "OK David...time for a little fire under your feet." If this were the case, I wonder how many would come to watch me "burn?" Would others know about my trials in the garden, under this kind of circumstance?

I would be interested to hear ideas on this question.

You asked:

"How many of us would actually choose to go to the Garden alone, if we had a choice? What might it mean if we were to choose, or not choose this experience? Do we even have a choice, or does God just pick our name out of His cosmic hat, and say: "OK David...time for a little fire under your feet." If this were the case, I wonder how many would come to watch me "burn?" Would others know about my trials in the garden, under this kind of circumstance?"

I dont think we have a choice of whether to go to the garden alone... sometimes. Of course you can always be alone if you want to ..but I think God watches our progress and sees if we need refining in some area of our characters... and its at those times that he might let us have to be alone.

I wouldnt have chosen to be alone in the past but lots of times now I would. Its just that it seems God has taught me so much more during those times. Remember that place in Minsitry of healing (I think) where it says that God will put us in a cage like a bird where its dark... the cage is covered,,, so we can "learn the song?" (I dont recall the exact quote but I hope you know what I mean). I think you cant really "hear God" and what He is trying to get across to you unless you are alone.

Sometimes people around you will make you think "well I seem to be just as good as they are, so Im doing ok". Sometimes their complacency makes it rub off on you. Sometimes their well-meaning "comfort" might injure you if what you really need is to be told whats wrong with you that needs correcting.

You know what? There are also a whole lot of things that I found out God gave me the ability to do... with His strength of course, ..that I would of never thought I could of done, unless I had to "walk through the valley of darkness" a few times.

I dont know about you but I grew up in a home that was basically loveless. So all the time I was growing up I longed for kindness and love.. etc... someone to lean on basically. This lasted a long time, way into my twenties... because I never had any. So I went around kind of always "looking" for someone to lean on... spiritually, especially. Because I felt like I couldnt do anything myself. (I was also made to feel like I was "stupid" and couldnt do anything when I was little).

Then when I got older God had to allow me to go through lots of bad stuff, and being alone made me have to draw upon gifts that God had given me but I didnt know I had... abilities to do things I never knew I could do... and things like that. If I always had someone to lean on, I'd never of learned those things.

I think that maybe God might deal with different people in different ways when it comes to this subject. Like maybe some people need more of the "alone" thing than others do..

Now Im sitting here wondering if Im even talking about the same stuff that you are or if Im on a whole different topic

As far as the last part of your question goes:

"If this were the case, I wonder how many would come to watch me "burn?" Would others know about my trials in the garden, under this kind of circumstance?"

I really dont understand what you are asking. Could you try to explain more?

Claudia

Does everyone need to pass through a Garden experience? Does every single person need to learn the hard way? Is it possible that some could learn from others mistakes and avoid the Gardens?

I really appreciated your closing question; not only do they ask questions; but they make important statements of facts.

Claudia;

Here is the paragraph you were referring to. I will comment afterwards:

Quote:

"How many of us would actually choose to go to the Garden alone, if we had a choice? What might it mean if we were to choose, or not choose this experience? Do we even have a choice, or does God just pick our name out of His cosmic hat, and say: "OK David...time for a little fire under your feet." If this were the case, I wonder how many would come to watch me "burn?" Would others know about my trials in the garden, under this kind of circumstance?"
- end of quote

When I said "I wonder how many would come to watch me burn;" it was a cryptic stab at the fact that, like the disciples who fell asleep on Jesus, during His garden experience; too often, our usual sources of human comfort either are not there, or they take a very passive role, if they are present, and they somehow let us down during the really tough ones.

Jesus found out what it was like to be neglected by fellow "church members;" yet, as Sarah has so aptly pointed out here, Jesus was not alone, when He went to the Garden alone.

To me; it is very helpful to not palliate the pain that is experienced in our Garden experiences. I have found it best to look at the aspect of divinely appointed experiences, when we are in the Garden alone.

In other words; these experiences make more sense to me from a great controversy point of view.

Do we, as individuals really need to look at all of our Garden experiences as "God's workmen, whereby we are fitted for heaven?" Is it "OK" to just not know all that stuff, and say of an experience: "Ouch! That really hurt!" "And this is what happened between me and God during all that pain?"

Your post was very meaningful..."He calls you in prayer each morning..." That will keep me thinking for a while.

I have many questions in this topic area.

Here is one of them.

The Bible says in Rom.8:7, (I hope it's verse 7), that "the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God; neither indeed can be."

What role, might "going to the Garden alone," play in this line of Scripture?

This is a very important question, of which I intend to share more of later.

My internet time is up for the day! Bye!

I believe He may take us into the Garden Experience to teach us this: "In the future life the mysteries that here have annoyed and disappointed us will be made plain. We shall see that our seemingly unanswered prayers and disappointed hopes have been among our greatest blessings." p474 And...p.479 says, "Christ in His life on earth made no plans for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. so should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will. As we commit our ways to Him, He will direct our steps." Perhaps He takes us "in the Garden," so we can be willing and even eager to MAKE that commitment.

And, lastly, I love this quote: (you can see how much MH has meant to me.) "In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, have faith in God. He is working out His will, doing all things well in behalf of His people. the strength of those who love and serve Him will be renewed day by day." p.482 Yes, I believe He wants to share that "garden experience" in different ways with all of us, and He wants us ALONE with Him each morning, as we "lay all our plans at His feet." May this be our prayer.

Job is an example of one whom God allowed to go "through a Garden" by God just saying, basically "here you are".

Since we are to be "tried as gold," we need to ask another question.

According to Rev.3:18, we are to "buy gold tried in the fire."

How might this connect to the current questions and points being made in this topic? In what way does "buying gold tried in the fire" relate to our garden alone experiences?

Then, you asked about Rev. 3:18. "I counsel thee to buy OF ME gold tried (refined) in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;..." And, I have wondered HOW can WE buy anything of God?
And, I go to Isaiah 55:1 and learn that we CAN buy! "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."

Is the "gold" which comes by the refining process of Christ, the spiritual value? The reason we can buy, is that this spiritual value comes through salvation in Jesus Christ, which IS a FREE gift.
And the covering, the robe of Christ's righteousness, not of man's own devising or works is all that will ever make us acceptable to God.
COLp.311

Maybe I am not anywhere near your thinking, David, but, I hope you will share your thinking on this with all of us. Anyway, thank you for the question, for it caused me to do some thinking abd searching.

I think of Jesus telling His disciples to watch and pray that they not enter into temptation. then i read in Desire of ages where we are told 'that had peter watched and prayed, he would have not denied Christ'. First I see Jesus concerned for His friends, in the hour that he needed them most. Then i see the results of not following Jesus instructions. This is a great lesson for us.

Watch and pray.....Follow Jesus, who is more concerned for us than we are for ouselves and is will ing to go to the cross for those that cared not.

Is it then possible, that we could look at where we have denied Christ, in our own, personal life, and see just where we have neglected to "watch & pray?"

What would happen, if we were to start using this as one way to improve our prayer life, and our spiritual life in general?

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: