The Olive Press

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-46 ESV).

Jesus went out from the Passover Meal to the Mount of Olives. It was also known as Gethsemane. The word means “oil press.” In Jesus’ day the contrivance consisted of two massive round stones that ground the olives to a pulp, the greenish oil dribbling down into an earthenware basin. It was a very common piece of equipment in Jerusalem. Even today the olive oil from Israel is world renown. Only some of the oils produced in Sicily rival the consistency and taste of the oil produced in this region. It is not an easy process of production. The green olives are destroyed in the process of grinding. It was a fitting place for Jesus to go in his struggle with what immediately lay before him in the cross. We, too, have our Gethsemanes. These are those places in your life where you’re being pressed, squeezed. It’s like two big stones are grinding you down, squeezing the life out of you. For some people, their marriage is Gethsemane. They can’t bear to stay, and they don’t dare to leave. For some, it’s a job that is squeezing the life out of them. They can’t live with their job; and, they can’t live without it. Gethsemane is the place where you can’t go forward, but you can’t go back. You’re stuck. And you find yourself, like Jesus, pleading for a way out: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.” Gethsemane is also a lonely place. Friends and family mean well, but like Jesus’ sleepy disciples, they either can’t come with you or they don’t want to come into the garden. After all, it is a painful, difficult process even for those who merely stand by. But God can and does. In Gethsemane we realize that although we are lonely, we’re not alone. God shares our sorrows and prepares for us a future more redemptive than we can imagine. When I find myself in those times I am reminded that they are not eternal. Heaven is, but not this often difficult path on earth. Remind yourself that even on the best days, they are nothing compared to one day in heaven. God’s promise is to walk with us now until we are safely home.