2 Death in the Garden Prayer and Intercession

2 Death in the Garden

Prayer and Intercession Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. Lk 22: 39 Early in the morning [Job] would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of [his children]… This was Job’s regular custom. Job 1: 5 A man regularly dedicated to prayer & communion A man God uses in the salvation of their friends Am I that man? 2 / 21

Prayer The disciple’s most powerful tool • Jesus demonstrates prayer for rejuvenation and resisting temptation Mk 6: 46 • Jesus identifies prayer as a source of miracles Mk 9: 29 • We are commended to use prayer against temptations Jam 5: 13 • …and for miracles! Jam 5: 16 3 / 21

Prayer Must investigate the nature of my prayers: - am I asking for gifts or for development? “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me…’ ” When he came to his senses, he said… ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me…’ ” Lk 15: 11 -17 Which one is my prayer? 4 / 21

Road to Atonement “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ” Jn 17: 9 “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly”… So [they] did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. Job 42: 8 -10 My Road to Atonement focuses on the atonement of others Are others principal in my prayer life? 5 / 21

Swordplay in the Garden Peter strikes! When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords? ” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. Lk 22: 49 -51 Peter could be forgiven for confusion here had not his Lord requested swords? “…if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. ” Lk 22: 36 So what “swordplay” was Jesus looking for? 6 / 21

Time to forego Zealous Vengeance Isaiah’s Warrior He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. Isa 59: 15 -17 Lamb of God “…if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. ” Lk 22: 36 [Jesus] rose from supper and laid aside his garments Jn 13: 4 6 b / 21

The Spirit Word of God the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph 6: 17 -18 Jesus had repeatedly called them to holy separation with prayer: - using the Sword of the Spirit internally How do we use the Sword of the Spirit? 7 / 21

Our Swordplay I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. Jude 3 ep-agwnizo-mai agonize Suggestive of an internal and personal effort – Contending within, not being contentious without 8 / 21

The Covenant of the Garden of Gethsemane / Garden of Eden “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. ” Lk 22: 42 Killing the Killer Why Did Jesus have to die? One reason: Because he had an inherent, persistent desire to sin (human nature). This desire would never go away, it had to be killed, in trust that His Father would restore him to life 9 / 21

“You will not surely die, ” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. ” Gen 3: 4 -5 Principle: You don’t become God by being ungodly 10 / 21

Grasping Equality with God Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Phil 2: 5 -7 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good… she took some and ate it. Gen 3: 4 -6 11 / 21

Being ‘In Very Nature God’ He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished. . . ” Ex 34: 6 -7 The Nature of God is a character – not a material type 12 / 21

The Nature and Name of God Your attitude should be the same as… Jesus: who, being in very nature God, [took] the very nature of a servant… So is Jesus actually God? If their natures are the same? • No, context shows “Nature” = attitude & conduct, not biology Did God exalt Jesus because he humbled himself as a servant, which is the opposite role to a god? – c. f. Jam 4: 10; Mt 23: 12 • Not quite: is illogical and violates central principle Principle: You don’t become God by being ungodly • God rewards Jesus with His Name for becoming a servant because that’s who God really is 13 / 21

The Very Nature of God [God] is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. Acts 17: 25 Your attitude should be the same as… Jesus: who, being in very nature God, [took] the very nature of a servant… Jesus had the same attitude as God, => so Jesus took on the same role as God => God saw Jesus behave the same way He does => So God gave Jesus the same Name He has Therefore God… gave him the name that is above every name 14 / 21

The Servant Ruler “I am shepherd to the stars, chef to the lions and ravens; & midwife to the mountain goats. ” Job 38: 31 -39: 3, paraphrase We are commended to the servant’s role because it is God’s/Jesus’ role 15 / 21

The Servant Ruler “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. ” Lk 22: 25 -36 Not because those who serve will rule later but because serving is the true way to rule Training always duplicates the intention I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. . . But women will be saved through childbearing 1 Tim 2: 11 -15 16 / 21

Son of Man: Broken-Hearted Suggest that Jesus’ heart ruptured in Gethsemane Evidence: Physical 1 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground Lk 22: 44 Chromidrosis (sweating blood) can follow from heart rupture, from severe emotional trauma C. A. Helgason, P. A. Wolf, American Heart Association scientific statement, 1997 2 Couldn’t carry cross 3 …one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water Jn 19: 33 -34 - Corpses don’t usually bleed. (Unless heart had leaked) 17 / 21

Evidence: Prophetic 4 Psalm predicts broken heart; no comforters “You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. ” Ps 69: 19 -20 5 Simultaneity of the Ancient Covenant “…he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. ” Gen 3: 15 18 / 21

Evidence: Spiritual 6 God sends an angel - clearly Gethsemane is the critical point An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. Lk 22: 43 7 Jesus own testimony! “My soul is over-whelmed with sorrow to the point of death” Mk 14: 34 This is not dramatic posturing Point of Crisis is met alone 19 / 21

Consequences of Heartbreak in the Garden The Garden was the fatal blow • Jesus died on the cross, but the fatal blow was struck in Gethsemane: the scorn Ps 69 and the sorrow Mk 14 • He died from our sins – not in committing them but in fully realizing the divorce it brought from life, God. (c. f. Gen 6 – the pain that filled God’s heart) • God’s Law doesn’t kill. Sin kills • Kill the Killer. Or die 20 / 21

My Swordplay: Bible is for holiness not combat Prayer in the Garden: must be as usual for me The Spiritual Ruler rules in service, not demands My Garden: Kill the Killer – or die Point of crisis is met alone