Oil Press

Part of the Honeymoon of the Heart series, originally published October 7, 2012

The name "Gethsemane" derives from the Hebrew and Aramaic words for "oil press." It was here that Jesus went to pray, asking His disciples to watch and pray in another part of the garden. It is here that He prayed so hard and with such earnestness that his sweat was like drops of blood. At the end of it He said, "if there is any other way, please let this cup pass," and "not my will but Yours, Father." It was here he chose to willingly lay down His life for mine.

In the garden is a grand, sprawling, knotty tree scientifically proven to be over 2000 years old. Gazing at the limbs reaching toward heaven, I had to pause and ponder. What if it had ears? What if it could tell stories? What would it tell us about that night?

Would it speak of the disciples falling asleep? Jesus being arrested? Would it tell that Jesus prayed for you as He chose to obey, or that He prayed for me? Would it describe Christ re-attaching the man's ear after Peter cut it off? What if this tree could speak? What if the rocks could cry out.

Gethsemane means "oil press." Jesus was pressed in this garden. Here, where He willingly chose to walk the path that would save my soul.

All for love....