THE GARDEN THE CUP THE CROSS
by Steven F Spence
February 14, 2010
Love Him, Love Him
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children:
God is Love, God is Love;
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children:
God is Love.
THE FOUR LOVES: CS LEWIS
1. AFFECTION: STORGE
THE GREEK LEXICON DEFINES STORGE AS "AFFECTION, ESPECIALLY OF PARENTS TO OFFSPRING"
C. S. LEWIS SAYS...
THE IMAGE WE MUST START WITH IS THAT OF A MOTHER NURSING A BABY. C.S. LEWIS
2. FRIENDSHIP: PHILIA
C. S. LEWIS SAYS...
FRIENDSHIP IS ESSENTIALLY BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS; THE MOMENT TWO MEN ARE FRIENDS THEY HAVE IN SOME DEGREE DRAWN APART FROM THE HERD. C.S. LEWIS
THERE IS A KIND OF LASTING ALLIANCE BETWEEN TWO CLOSE FRIENDS.
DAVID AND JONATHAN HAD THIS KIND OF FRIENDSHIP.
3. ROMANTIC LOVE: EROS
C. S. LEWIS' COMMENT WAS...
BY EROS I MEAN OF COURSE THAT STATE WHICH WE CALL "BEING IN LOVE"; OR IF YOU PREFER, THAT KIND OF LOVE THAT LOVERS ARE "IN". C.S. LEWIS
CHARITY: AGAPE
C.S. LEWIS CALLED THIS LOVE CHARITY.
BUT IN TODAYS WORLD CHARITY HAS LOST THE IMPACT THAT C.S. LEWIS INTENDED IT TO HAVE.
WE THINK CHARITY IS GIVING A FEW DOLLARS TO A CHARITABLE INSTITUTION.
THIS KIND OF LOVE IS A GOD KIND OF LOVE.
THIS KIND OF LOVE IS A LOVE THAT LOVES EVEN IF IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE LOVEING.
AGAPE LOVE IS THE MOST POWERFUL KIND OF LOVE
THAT CAN BE FOUND ANYWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE.
GOD HAS SHOWN US WHAT THIS KIND OF LOVE LOOKS LIKE WHEN JESUS WENT INTO THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE JUST BEFORE HIS TRIAL AND CRUCIFIXION ON THE CROSS.
THE STORY IS FOUND IN MATTHEW 26:36-46
(BUT DON'T READ THE SCRIPTURE)
Matthew 26:36
Matthew 26:36-46 (NIV) 36 (NIV) Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
THE BELIEVERS BIBLE COMMENTARY SAYS...
NO ONE CAN APPROACH THE ACCOUNT OF THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE
WITHOUT REALIZING THAT THEY'RE WALKING ON HOLY GROUND.
THERE'S A TREMENDOUS SENSE OF AWE AS YOU READ ABOUT IT
GUY KING WROTE,
“THE SUPERNAL CHARACTER OF THE EVENT
CAUSES ONE TO FEAR
LEST ONE (THEY) SHOULD IN ANY WAY SPOIL IT
BY TOUCHING IT.”
I'VE WRITTEN A STORY ABOUT THE GARDEN.
I PRAY THAT I'VE NOT HARMED THE SUPERNATURAL CHARACTER OF GETHSEMANE
BY WRITING ABOUT IT.
I. THE GARDEN
(THE OLIVE TREE IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, IS TALKING)
I AM AN OLIVE TREE.
I WAS PLANTED HERE IN THIS GARDEN MANY YEARS AGO.
IN FACT I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST SEEDLING TREES TO BE PLANTED IN THIS OLIVE GROVE.
WHEN I WAS JUST A YOUNG SAPLING OF A TREE,
I WATCHED THE WORKERS COME AND BUILD AN OLIVE PRESS OVER THERE ON THE EDGE
OF OUR NEWLY DEVELOPING GROVE OF OLIVE TREES.
THE OLIVE PRESS WAS TO BE USED TO SQUEEZE THE OLIVE OIL FROM THE OLIVES THAT WE TREES WOULD PRODUCE.
DURING THE HARVEST DAYS, THE HARVESTERS WOULD COME AND SHAKE OUR BRANCHES UNTIL OUR OLIVES WOULD FALL TO THE GROUND.
THEY WOULD GATHER THEM UP
AND POUR THEM INTO THE OLIVE PRESS OVER THERE
BY THE EDGE OF THE OLIVE GROVE.
THEY WOULD ATTACH THE UPPER PART OF THE PRESS
AND BRING IT DOWN ONTO THE OLIVES.
THE PROCESS WOULD CRUSH THE OLIVES.
AND THE RESULT WAS THAT PURE OLIVE OIL
WOULD EMERGE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PRESS.
I'VE BEEN A FULLY MATURE OLIVE TREE FOR A LONG TIME NOW, AND I'VE SEEN MANY, MANY YEARS OF HARVESTING COME AND GO.
AND I’VE SEEN A LOT OF OLIVE OIL PRODUCED BY THE TREES IN THIS OLIVE GROVE.
BUT THE YEAR THAT I REMEMBER THE MOST WAS THE YEAR THAT A GROUP OF MEN CAME HERE LATE AT NIGHT.
IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF PASSOVER WEEK AND
THEY WERE LED BY A MAN WHO WAS OBVIOUSLY CARRYING A LARGE, HEAVY WEIGHT ON HIS SHOULDERS.
I COULD TELL THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS MAN, SOMETHING EVEN REGAL.
BY THE WAY HE BORE UP UNDER HIS HEAVY BURDEN.
BUT EVEN THOUGH HE WAS ABLE TO CARRY THIS HEAVY LOAD,
I COULD TELL THAT HE WAS STRUGGLING UNDER ITS WEIGHT.
HE STOPPED AT THE EDGE OF THE GARDEN
AND TOLD EIGHT OF HIS FOLLOWERS TO SIT THERE
WHILE HE AND THREE OTHERS WOULD GO FARTHER,
ON INTO THE GARDEN, TO PRAY.
I WATCHED HIM AS HE AND THE THREE OTHER MEN
MOVED EVEN CLOSER TO THE CENTER OF MY OLIVE GROVE.
THE THREE MEN WITH HIM MUST HAVE BEEN HIS CLOSEST FRIENDS BECAUSE HE KEPT CONFIDING IN THEM;
SHARING HIS INNER THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS WITH THEM.
I COULD SEE THAT HE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY OVERCOME BY THE WEIGHT OF THE GREAT BURDEN THAT HE WAS SHOULDERING.
I WATCHED AS HE MOVED CLOSER TO WHERE I STOOD, WHERE I HAVE BEEN STANDING
FOR OVER A HUNDRED YEARS.
HE STOPPED A SECOND TIME AND ASKED HIS THREE FRIENDS TO STAY THERE AND KEEP WATCH WITH HIM.
I CONTINUED TO WATCH HIM AS HE SLOWLY CAME UP TO THE ROCK THAT RESTED THERE BESIDE MY TREE TRUNK.
HE WAS OBVIOUSLY DISTRESSED AND TROUBLED.
I COULD SEE THE AGONY ON HIS FACE,
AS HE FELL TO THE GROUND UNDER THE CRUSHING LOAD THAT HE WAS CARRYING.
HE BEGAN TO CRY OUT TO GOD.
AND THERE WAS AN INTENSITY IN HIS PRAYER
THAT I HAD NEVER FELT BEFORE.
IT MADE ME SHIVER AS I CONTEMPLATED WHAT HE WAS SAYING.
HE WAS TALKING TO GOD
AND I COULD TELL THAT GOD'S PRESENCE WAS RIGHT THERE BESIDE HIM.
RIGHT THERE BESIDE ME TOO.
THE VERY AIR WAS FILLED WITH THE PRESSURE
AND STRESS OF THE SITUATION.
I HEARD HIM ASK GOD IF THIS CUP COULD BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HIM.
THE CUP?
THE CUP?
THE CUP THAT HE SPOKE OF MUST HAVE BEEN THE BURDEN THAT HE WAS CARRYING.
IT WAS CLEAR THAT HE REALLY DIDN’T WANT TO DRINK FROM THE CUP
AND HE WAS ASKING GOD IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER WAY,
ANY OTHER WAY THAN HAVING TO DRINK FROM THE CUP.
THE CUP?
WHAT MUST HAVE BEEN IN THE CUP?
THE CUP MUST HAVE HELD SOMETHING THICK AND AWFUL EVEN PUTRID SMELLING.
THERE MUST HAVE BEEN PAIN AND SUFFERING IN THE CUP.
THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOME KIND OF GREAT LONELINESS IN THE CUP.
HE DIDN'T WANT TO DRINK FROM THE CUP.
I WATCHED HIM RISE AND GO BACK TO HIS THREE FRIENDS.
HE WAS OBVIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED
BECAUSE HE FOUND THEM SOUND ASLEEP, OVER THERE.
HE WOKE THEM AND ASKED THEM A SECOND TIME,
TO WATCH AND PRAY WITH HIM.
THEN HE CAME BACK TO WHERE I WAS
AND BEGAN PRAYING AGAIN.
HE CONTINUED IN AGONIZING PRAYER
FOR ANOTHER HOUR OR TWO.
THEN HE ROSE AND WENT BACK TO HIS THREE FRIENDS.
THERE THEY WERE, SOUND ASLEEP, ONCE AGAIN.
THIS TIME HE DECIDED TO LET THEM SLEEP.
AND CAME BACK TO PRAY FOR THE THIRD TIME.
HE WAS OBVIOUSLY BEING CRUSHED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF HIS BURDEN.
BECAUSE THE SWEAT BEGAN TO POUR FROM HIM.
HE LOOKED LIKE HE WAS ABOUT TO DIE RIGHT HERE BENEATH MY BRANCHES.
AND THEN I SAW AN ANGEL APPEAR
AND SOMEHOW THE ANGEL GAVE HIM STRENGTH
TO CONTINUE PRAYING.
THE SWEAT WAS STILL POURING FROM HIS BODY.
IT FELL IN LARGE DROPS, AND MADE THE GROUND AROUND HIM, WET.
I LISTENED EVEN CLOSER, AND I HEARD HIS PRAYER CHANGE FROM A PRAYER OF PETITION
TO A PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE.
APPARENTLY GOD WASN’T GOING TO ALLOW THIS CUP OF SUFFERING TO PASS FROM HIM
APPARENTLY GOD DIDN’T SAY YES TO HIS PLEA.
APPARENTLY GOD MUST HAVE DENIED HIS REQUEST.
AND THIS AMAZING MAN WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT THAT.
HE WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT GOD’S WILL
EVEN IF IT WAS DIFFERENT FROM HIS OWN WILL.
EVEN IF IT WAS SOMETHING
THAT WAS HARD FOR HIM TO DO.
THIS TIME, WHEN HE ROSE FROM HIS PRAYER,
THERE WAS A LOOK OF DETERMINATION ON HIS FACE.
I KNEW THAT WHAT EVER WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO HIM, GOD WOULD BE PLEASED
BECAUSE HE HAD AGREED TO DRINK THE CUP
DOWN TO ITS VERY DREGS .
DOWN TO ITS VERY LAST DROP.
I COULD SEE THAT
HE WAS DETERMINED TO GO AND ACCOMPLISH
THE VERY THING THAT HE WAS BORN TO ACCOMPLISH.
I SAW HIM WALK OVER
AND WAKE HIS THREE DISCIPLES UP, ONE LAST TIME.
I SAW THE CROWD COME WITH THEIR SWORDS AND CLUBS.
I SAW ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES DRAE HIS SWORD AND CUT OFF THE EAR OF THE SERVANT OF THE HIGH PRIEST.
I SAW THIS AMAZING MAN TELL HIS DISCIPLE TO PUT HIS SWORD AWAY.
AND I SAW HIM HEAL THE SERVANT OF THE HIGH PRIEST.
I SAW ALL OF HIS DISCIPLES DESERT HIM
AND RUN FOR THEIR LIVES.
I SAW THEM ARREST HIM
AND CARRY HIM OUT OF THE GARDEN
AND INTO THE NEARBY TOWN OF JERUSALEM.
SINCE THAT NIGHT, I’VE HEARD STORIES.
I’VE HEARD THAT THIS MAN WAS THE SON OF GOD.
THAT HE LIVED A LIFE WITHOUT EVER COMMITTING
EVEN ONE SIN.
THAT HE WILLINGLY GAVE HIMSELF UP
TO BE THE SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND.
THAT HE WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD AND BURIED
AND PLACED IN A BORROWED TOMB.
THAT ON THE THIRD DAY,
HE WAS RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD.
THAT HE APPEARED TO UPWARDS OF 500 PEOPLE.
THAT HE MET WITH HIS DISCIPLES
AND ONE DAY WHILE HE WAS WITH THEM
HE WAS TAKEN UP BEFORE THEIR VERY EYES INTO HEAVEN.
THERE NEVER WAS A MAN AS GREAT AS THIS MAN.
AND THERE NEVER WILL BE.
HE WAS ALIVE BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD WERE SET.
HE CAME TO EARTH
LIVED A PERFECT LIFE,
DIED FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND.
ROSE FROM THE DEAD TO PROVE THAT HE REALLY WAS THE SON OF GOD.
AND NOW SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD ON HIGH.
SOME DAY HE WILL COME BACK AND CLAIM HIS OWN.
I WONDER HOW LONG IT WILL BE
BEFORE HE DOES COME BACK TO CLAIM HIS OWN.
I'M ONE OF HIS OWN,
ARE YOU ONE OF HIS OWN?
II. THE CUP
(PAUSE)
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU AND ME TO FULLY ENTER INTO THE FULL SIGNIFICANCE OF GETHSEMANE,
BUT I'M CONVINCED THAT IT WAS THERE IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE
THAT THE VICTORY OF CALVARY WAS WON.
IT WAS THERE IN THE GARDEN THAT THE REAL BATTLE WAS FOUGHT.
IT WAS THERE IN THE GARDEN THAT SATAN HAD HIS LAST CHANCE TO DERAIL HIM,
AND SATAN LOST,
AND YOU AND I WON.
SO JUST WHAT WAS IN THAT CUP?
THERE WAS SPITTING IN THE CUP
THERE WAS THE ANGER OF THE PEOPLE IN THE CUP
THERE WAS A CROWN OF THORNS IN THE CUP
THERE WAS A ROMAN SOULDIER WITH A CAT OF NINE TAILS WHIPPING AND RIPPING CHUNKS OF HIS FLESH IN THE CUP.
THERE WAS HUMILIATION IN THE CUP
THERE WAS MOCKING IN THE CUP
THERE WAS A TRIAL IN THE CUP
THE TERRIBLE SUFFERING OF DEATH BY CRUCIFIXION
WAS IN THE CUP.
THERE WAS THE PUTRID FOUL SMELLING SINS
OF THE WHOLE WORLD IN THE CUP
AND JESUS
THE ONE WHO KNEW NO SIN
WOULD BECOME
EVERY SIN THAT HAD EVER BEEN COMMITTED
OR THAT EVER WOULD BE COMMITTED.
THAT WAS IN THE CUP TOO.
WE CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE THE HORROR JESUS FELT
WHEN ALL THAT SIN WAS POURED INTO HIM.
IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN A HORRENDOUS EXPERIENCE
FOR THIS ONE WHO HAD NEVER KNOWN SIN.
THERE WAS SEPARATION FROM GOD, HIS FATHER
IN THE CUP
THERE WAS DEATH IN THE CUP
BUT,
THERE WAS THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS
IN THE CUP.
THERE WAS SALVATION FOR THOUSANDS OF LOST SOULS
IN THE CUP.
THERE WAS THE RECONCILIATION OF BROKEN MARRIAGES AND BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS
IN THE CUP.
THERE WAS ETERNAL LIFE FOR LOST MANKIND
IN THE CUP
THERE WAS REDEMPTION FOR YOU AND ME
IN THE CUP.
THERE WAS SALVATION FROM HELL FIRE
IN THE CUP.
WHEN JESUS ACCEPTED THAT CUP,
IT COST HIM EVERYTHING,
BUT IT LAID GREAT WEALTH
AT YOUR FEET AND MINE.
BECAUSE: THE CROSS WAS IN THE CUP
JOHN SAID IT BEST WHEN HE SAID IN
JOHN 3:16-18
16 “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON,
THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH
BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
17 FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD
TO CONDEMN THE WORLD,
BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM.
18 WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM IS NOT CONDEMNED,
BUT WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE STANDS CONDEMNED ALREADY
BECAUSE HE HAS NOT BELIEVED IN THE NAME OF GOD’S ONE AND ONLY SON.
LET'S STAND.
ALTAR CALL.
