Patience and Submission on a Mountain of Olives…
Luke 22: 39- 53 (NIV)
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
Jesus Arrested
While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
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.
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”
On a Mountain of Olives.
A number of years ago- my husband and I were able to go to Greece and Turkey for vacation. While we were there, we did all the touristy things we could in the short time available to us. This included going to Athens,and seeing olive trees; centuries old, still bearing fruit.
On a blue skied, arid day, we stood before a hill topped and covered with craggy old olive trees. The tour guide told us that olive trees take DECADES to mature to the point of producing fruit. She went on to say in lovely broken english that the one who planted an olive tree rarely lived to see it’s fruit. The work, the waiting would most likely benefit another generation. Decades. Since I have been known to hover over the coffee pot waiting for it to brew, (rather impatiently, I must confess) and to yell at the microwave for not defrosting chicken fast enough, the idea of waiting for anything for decades, is incomprehendable.
Today, when re-reading this text- that scene came flooding back. I could smell lamb roasting (there is always a background scent of lamb in Greece and Turkey) and feel the sun on my skin. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read this story– and the fact that Jesus did this all -while he stood on a mountain of olives (Mount of Olives) had escaped me.
Today, I see it. The trees- huge and strong, bearing olives and thin pointed leaves. Planted so long ago by men of vision, hope and planning. Such a visual. Jesus- fully aware of what is about to happen, standing on a mountain of olives, a symbol of patient endurance and harvest in season, where he preaches, prays, and patiently awaits his betrayal and arrest. Jesus- like the olive tree planter— knew what would be accomplished in the long term…. salvation. My salvation and yours, and should God tarry- salvation for generations after us. He did/does the work that would be required for the harvest. Amazing. Maybe— as he looked around on the Mount of Olives- he too- found hope and courage among the olive branches.
I know- that forever more- I will.
Dear Jesus- I don’t know how you did it. I don’t know how you knew what would happen to you, then patiently let it unfold in the fullness of time. I don’t know how you were patient with disciples who left you to pray alone while they slept, I don’t know how you healed the ear of your captor, when I’d have wanted someone to fight for my life. All I know- Lord- is that you did. And because you did-because you paid the ultimate price for sin, I can find hope. Both for my own salvation and for my transformation, and for those I’ve come along side and shared your truth with… carefully planting seeds I may never see grow— but you do–
Lord- I love you and pray for each one that comes here today-that they would experience your loving patience and sacrifice, on a mountain of olives….and that we would in turn be more loving and patient with those around us— I love you Lord- and thank you for all that you’ve done— amen
I am so thankful for what He did for me!
In His Graces~Pamela
PS-enter me!!
What a powerful image! Praise God for His strength, His patience, His love, His forgiveness, His amazing grace!!!
In His Grip,
Sherry
PS please enter me
this post was way better than a warm cup of coffee to start my day. I feel all warm and filled. thanks!
-also, please enter me again- thanks!
I didn’t know that about olive trees. You painted a great picture that makes me really think about how the seeds I plant today may not come up in my life. Thank you for sharing!
Jenny
Thank you for the give away and “entering me” today!
You have no idea how deeply touched I was by this post…Thank you so much!
I’m so looking forward to visiting Israel come this year end. Would be my first.
Praise God For His Mercies are new every morning! 😉
Wow. Thank you for painting a clearer picture for me of that scene. I will never read that text quite the same way again.
Vickie
p.s. Please enter me again today.
Please enter me.
Thank you!
Tracey…
Powerful post. Full of rich metaphor and imagery. There’s one line, though, that fills my senses and stirs my thougts.
“I could smell the Lamb roasting…” Let that simmer in your thoughts a moment.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, standing amongst fruit not yet born, but willing to burn with fire of sin’s wrath so that in time…fruit would grow. You and I!
We are the outgrowth of his difficult obedience. How I praise him this day for embracing the fire for me.
Peace, dear one. You have blessed me with your words.
~elaine
please “enter me”
Please enter me,
God bless you all.
eileen
How awesome is our God !!!!!! I thank the Lord for his love toward us. He loved us so much that he, knowing that he would suffer, still lived his life, leaving us an example as to how we should live…Love toward one another. Not only love but unconditional love. How amazing is that. I am amazed that God even felt we were worth anything. Moments such as a simple vacation can be used to paint a picture of how Jesus felt and though. I am so grateful my Lord made such a sacrifice so that I could escape eternity in hell.
“enter me”
Thank you Jesus for your decision to go to the cross!
Denise A
Enter ME!
Wow Tracey,
Wow…. I can see this in my mind. I went to Israel eight years ago. I tell you I had tears in my eyes as I sat in the garden on the Mount of Olives. There is a very old tree there and your words brough that picture to me again.
I am overwhelmed this year particularly by these passages in the Bible of Christ and this week. I read it again today. Thank you for this post today. Love you, Lynn
What makes the Cross such a beautiful, stunning story is that Jesus wept in the garden over his fear/impending misery and pain and his lack of wanting to be separated from God… even for a moment. How utterly amazing that he chose to follow his Father’s plan, though he knew it wouldn’t be easy, painless or quick. Thank you, Jesus, that you had such a devoted love to our Father that you set yourself aside so that we could have grace.
Enter me please.
I really enjoyed the devotion today as well as everyone’s comments – from the tree and seed to the roasting lamb – It just amazes me constantly – when the imagery brings the story to life and adds a fullness missed without it.
Thank you so much for the information on the Olive Trees, i had no idea!!
Robin
ENTER ME
Compelling post. Olives will definitely be a metaphor for patient endurance for me now. I cannot comprehend how Jesus could go through it all as he did. We can’t thank him enough. Thank you Lord.
Please enter me, thank you.
Thank you for this post. I am extremely blessed by it!
Mylah Luper-Johnson
Please “Enter Me” 🙂
This was awesome.
Wonderful words. Thank you!
Please enter me!
Grace
Beautiful post. Thank you.
Please enter me.
Awesome!!!
Please enter me today.
I know God is using you to speak to me because this same passage was in my devotions this morning. God is indeed showing me about waiting and patience. Even when I know what is ahead, I must walk it out like Jesus. Even when I don’t want to take the cup the Father has asked me to drink. I must walk it out.
Thank you for giving me such a great visual and some confirmation.
Please Enter Me
Lisa E.
Lovely post. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for taking the time to share a beautiful and intimate example love of our Savior with me. Us.
Isn’t His love just the most incredible gift of all?
may you be blessed….