GETHSAMANE

                                                

Gloria Phifer

AN  OLIVE PRESS

I wonder with King David in Psalm 8:4 “What is man, that You are mindful of him? And the son of man that You visit him?”  Why are we so important to God our Creator?  That He would create us? A plan of redemption, had been put into place, before the Breathe of God was breathed into man…and he became a “living soul.”  That plan, the mystery that had been hidden, was now taking place…The Almighty God…God the Son would die for mankind. Why? Because of love. John 3:16 “God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”….LOVE …LOVE FOR YOU AND ME….OH THE WONDER OF GOD!

Do you see your value?

Before we go into Gethsemane with Jesus…Let’s look at the “Divine Mystery of Christ.” Rom. 16:25-26 (Now we can understand what the prophets were saying.), 1 Cor. 2:4-8, (If the enemy had understood he would never have crucified the Lord of Glory.) Eph.1:6-12 (this mystery was to gather all things In Christ…Gentiles included.) Eph. 3:3-6. (The New Covenant now included you and me when we believe.) Eph. 3:9-11. (We who are In Christ are showing the manifold wisdom of God that was hidden from the foundation of the world). Col. 1:25-27

 (Jesus Christ in you and me is the Hope of Glory. Notice the glory of this mystery had been hidden for ages and generations and is now manifest to His saints.) Col.2:2-3. (We are comforted by this knowledge. In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We are In Christ.) Col.4:3 Paul prays for open doors to speak the mystery of Christ. 1 Tim.3:16. (A wonderful scripture. Jesus-God was manifest in the flesh…it tells the whole redemption story in one paragraph.)

I want us to understand how blessed we are that we can see and hear and understand. Matt. 13:16-17. The prophets desired to see what we see. Through the Holy Spirit we can see and understand the mystery of God.

I wanted to go into these scriptures before we enter the Mount of Olives with Jesus. Because it is so heart wrenching.  There is a tremendous battle taking place. All we have just read, about the mystery from the foundation of the world, depends on this struggle. We have seen what is at stake here. We know He could have called 12 legions of angels at this moment. Let us enter into Gethsemane with our Lord.

 

It is the evening. On the Jewish calendar a day begins at 6 in the evening and ends the following evening at 6.  Jesus and his disciples (except Judas) have left the upper room. They are crossing the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives.  This is the night of the betrayal.  Jesus knows He has come into this world for this purpose…He knows what lays ahead for Him. John 12:27-36. (He said this 6 days before Passover.) The night after the last supper…He spoke these words: John 17:1 “These words spoke Jesus and lifted up His eyes to Heaven and said, Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son may glorify Thee.” John 17:1-26. He prayed for His followers and that included you and me. Vs. 20.

When you realize Jesus prayed for you on this night what are your thoughts?

What are your thoughts about this portion of scripture?

They enter the garden…it is full of ancient Olive Trees.  Here the olives were crushed to make olive oil…it is called Gethsemane. “OLIVE PRESS.” Great pressure was put on the olives to crush them…and out of them came the olive oil. Perhaps the moon was shining, casting shadows. But it was a “dark” night for our Savior. It was a time of aloneness. It was time to face what He had been born for. He had been manifest for this time…the end was near.

 1 John 3:5-8 (He was manifested to take away our sin and to destroy the works of the devil.)  Manifest in Greek is “phaneroo”. “To render apparent. Literally or figuratively: “Appear.” Show self. To make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way. (The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. John 1.) Make actual and visible, realized. To become known. To be plainly recognized, thoroughly understood. Who and what One is.”

Jesus is under untold pressure.  Matt.26:36-44. Jesus takes three of his disciples with Him. Peter, James and John. He asks them to watch with Him for one hour. (I believe He knew how long He had.) He is so sorrowful…even unto death. Luke 22:39-46. He is sweating blood.

What is Jesus praying?  What are your thoughts and feelings?

When I see that God the Father sent an angel to strengthen Him…it reminds me that this was the “Hour” and all the universe is sorrowing for the suffering of the Son of God. I am sure all the angels are standing at attention, in ranks, ready for His call. Matt. 26:53-54. He knew He could pray to His Father and He would “presently” (at that moment) give Jesus 12 legions of angels. (Jesus is the Lord of Hosts. He is The Commander of Heavens armies.) 

            Why didn’t He do it?  What did He want more than having the cup removed?

            Anguish in Greek “agonia” “A struggle for victory. A gymnastic exercise, wrestling. Of severe mental struggles and emotions, agony, anguish.”  Greek for blood is “haima” “the juice of grapes or especially the atoning blood of Christ.”

            Your thoughts?

            Hebrews12:1-4. Vs. 4" you have not resisted unto blood striving against sin"

.  In the garden, the struggle, the resisting took place. It was so strong that Jesus resisted unto the shedding of His blood.  To disobey the Father would be sin. And Jesus had no sin.  He knew the cup He would be taking would mean, that He the perfect, sinless Son of Man, would take on the sin of the world. We do not even have a concept what this battle and struggle was like. Only Jesus and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit know what God the Son endured. 

There are three “gardens.” The first garden was Eden…where man sinned. Now we are in the Garden with Jesus…Gethsemane the olive press. Thank God for another garden…a garden where there will be a Resurrection.

            Matt. 26:43-56. Luke 22:45-54. Jesus healed a man before they took Him.

            John 18:1-12. Vs. 5…the original Greek is “I AM!” Look what happened when He said Who He Is. The Great I Am. Ex. 3:13-14 “I AM THAT I AM!” What power, “dunamis”, Jesus had. He is the Great I Am. He could have used His power. But He allowed Himself to be taken by mankind.  To me this is incredible that the Great I AM would allow Himself to be taken. He had yielded to His Father’s will and had taken the cup. The victory was won in the garden.

(Notice John 18:12 These men who took Him were not Romans…they were the band, the captain and officers of the Jews.)

 

A BABIES CRY ROCKED THE WORLD

A BABY'S CRY ROCKED THE WORLD.

Gloria Phifer

In the dimly lit stable in Bethlehem, Mary, a virgin, gave birth to THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD.

How long had mankind longed to hear the Voice of God.  The Word that created the worlds (Genesis 1, John 1, and Heb.1:2) became a baby.  His Voice was first heard as the cry of a Baby.

His Voice, The Voice, The Voice of Almighty God, was heard by the ears of mankind.

Matt: 11:28-30 "Come unto Me all you who labor

And are heavy laden and I will give you rest…"

We can now read His Words…His Voice recorded in the New Testament, and it all

Began with a Baby's first cry in a stable.

A CHRISTMAS STUDY...EMMANUEL...GOD WITH US.

EMMANUEL…GOD WITH US

Gloria Phifer

Our God is a "Giver." John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

ü      What are your thoughts about God being a Giver? That God gave His very Best? What about His love for this world?

            Isaiah 9:6 For unto "us" a Child is born, unto "us" a Son is given.

ü      Notice: this Child, this Son was given for "us!" what are your thoughts?

ü      The government is on His shoulder and His Name shall be called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE. KJV

ü      When you look at these Names what stands out to you?

This is something that I need to meditate on.  All of them are so profound.  This Wonderful Child will be given His government…upon the throne of David. HE IS THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

            Think of the Mighty God becoming a Seed in a woman's womb. Allowing Him self to become a baby coming from the womb of Mary. To become vulnerable to man kind. The wonder of it all!

            Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; BEHOLD

A virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son and shall call His Name IMMANUEL.

GOD WITH US!!!

ü      How personal this is to us. What are your thoughts that He came to be with us?

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

(Nazareth in Greek means "The guarded one.") I thought this was interesting. I am sure the angels were guarding Mary, Joseph and especially Jesus Christ…the Holy One. I wonder what the angels thought of the Lord of Hosts, Captain of Heavens Armies, becoming a baby. Hebrews 1:5 & 6. Heb. 2:16, 1 Peter 1:12.   Soon, the angels will be sent to announce the birth and light up the sky. I don't know what all of God's universe consists of, but I've always wondered if all the universe stood in awe as Almighty God took on flesh to dwell upon us. The wonder!!!

ü      Thoughts

Luke 1:26-56. Mary is a young virgin. Gabriel, (Strong's…"Warrior of God or Man of God. an Archangel) the Messenger from God, came to the small town of Nazareth to bring her a message. Notice 31 and 32 The NAME…JESUS…HE SHALL BE GREAT AND SHALL BE CALLED THE SON OF THE HIGHEST!!! VS. 35…CALLED THE SON OF GOD.

            JESUS means "Jehovah is Salvation!!!"   JESUS THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES… Philippians 2:5-11. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess…JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

Romans 10:8-13.

ü      What are your thoughts about Jesus and His wonderful Name?

            I love the Name of Jesus. (I love Jesus!!!) I can't begin to count the times in my life (really daily) that I call on the Name of Jesus. There is no other Name as wonderful and powerful. God, His Father, gave Him this NAME.

            Acts. 3:1-10 and vs. 15 & 16. The Prince of Life…Through faith in His Name this man was healed. There is Power in the Name of Jesus.

ü      As I read about the power in the Name of Jesus it increases my faith.  What about you?

Jesus came in the "fullness of time." Gal. 4-7. He came to make us sons of God. I love the 'Fullness of time!" This plan was from the foundation of the world. Rev. 13:8b. "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." John 1:12-14.  The Word was made "flesh" and dwelt among us…the Glory of the Only Begotten or the Father, full of grace and truth. (He came to "tabernacle" among us.) He put on flesh in order to dwell with us.

ü      What are your thoughts that He took on flesh and became a human being so He could be with us.? Emmanuel…God with us.

(When you have time read all of Luke 1…Elizabeth, Mary's cousin is pregnant with John the Baptist).

            Mary is a virgin. She is legally bound to be married to a man named Joseph who is also from the tribe of Judah. They are descended from King David.  When Joseph found out she was pregnant he was upset. Matthew 1:18-25.  Once more we see the Name Emmanuel…God with us (vs. 23) and once more we see the Name…JESUS!!!  For He will save His people from their sins.

ü      Here is our Savior.  What are your thoughts?

            I remember as a child being told that Jesus loved me. The song "Jesus loves me" would come to me during my young years when I was in a desperate place. When I thought life was not worth living…this song would come to me.

            JESUS LOVES ME…THIS I KNOW…FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me… for the Bible tells me so.

            Thank You Heavenly Father for giving us Your Only Begotten Son Jesus…We give you praise!!!  EMMANUEL…GOD WITH US! OUR SAVIOR JESUS!  All glory to Emmanuel!!!

            I wanted us to look at a prophesy Zechariahs (John the Baptist father gave when John was born concerning the Messiah.) Luke 1:78-79 "Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the Day Spring from on High has visited us. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

ü      Your thoughts on this incredible prophesy?

            I am very touched that it was the tender mercy of God that Jesus Christ…the Day Spring from on High visited us…to give us light in our darkness and to guide our feet into the Way of Peace. (Jehovah Shalom…the Lord our Peace.)  The Prince of Peace.

           

THE BIRTH

Luke 2:1-7. Bethlehem means "House of Bread." The Bread of Life was born there.

            Swaddling meant "To strap or wrap with strips. To swathe an infant after the oriental custom…wrap with swaddling clothes. "Strong's Conc.

            I find it interesting that the Roman government made this degree that the whole world would be taxed. This brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. (God can use governments to get His will done.) Micah 5:2. Out of this little town would come The Ruler in Israel. (This prophesy was given somewhere around 750 BC .KJV.)

ü      What are your thoughts? I love prophesy. We know God had a plan…Praise Him!!!

             Our Creator, the Mighty God, came from the womb of a woman and became the Son of Man. (Jesus called Himself: The Son of Man. Matt. 18:11) was wrapped and held by His mother. He was a baby. He had been a Seed, given by the Holy Spirit, developed in the darkness of the womb, came through the birth canal into the dim light of the stable and took His first breath. How astounding. He was not born in a palace…He was born in a stable (perhaps even a cave) used for the animals.)

ü      Thoughts?

            There was no room for Him in the inn. I think of our society now.  Is there room for Jesus?  Why is His Name blasphemed? Why do they want to destroy the real meaning of Christmas? Why do they want to take Jesus out of Christmas?  Because the enemy wants to remove Jesus from the consciousness of mankind. But, Jesus will never be removed!!!   To remember and believe in Jesus means HE CAME!!! And He came with purpose…the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)  We will all die (unless the rapture comes first) but Jesus was born to die for you and me…so we could have life abundantly.

            What love!  He left His place in Glory and come to this sinful world…to become the Son of Man. For you and me.

PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MAN.

Luke 2:8-20. Angels announce His birth…"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

ü      If you had been one of the shepherds and the sky lit up with angels giving this announcement…what would it have been like for you?

            The first ones to hear the news were the shepherds. How appropriate…The Good Shepherd had been born. John 10:11-14.  Jesus said" I Am the Good Shepherd."  HE CAME…for His sheep. All glory to God!!

            We will not take the time this morning but when you have time read about Him being taken to the Temple and presented to God His Father. (Luke 2:21-40.)

WISE MEN SEEK THE KING OF THE JEWS

Matt. 2:1-15. (Jesus was born in Judea…Strong's...Greek...Judaea…means "He shall be praised.")

ü      Who were these wise men?  Strong's Greek. "Magos" a Magi an, oriental scientist, wise man. The name given by the Babylonians, (Chaldeans), Medes, Persians and others to the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers.

King Herod was troubled and all Jerusalem with him vs.3.

ü      Why do you think all of Jerusalem was troubled along with king Herod?

            Tradition says "three wise men", but there could have been quite a procession. There may have been more wise men; plus the ones who traveled with them.

            Concerning the star…there is a prophesy in Numbers 14:17

            They had seen His star in the East and came to worship Him. Notice vs. 11 "They came into the house."  They were no longer in the manger. 

ü      What were the gifts given to The Child?

Gold: Given for a King. Strong's "perhaps furnishing what is needed." Frankincense. Greek…"libanos" the incense tree. Incense itself…frankincense. A white resin burned as fragrant incense. Myrrh: Greek "Smyrna…A bitter gum and costly perfume; also an antiseptic…it was used for embalming. A perfumed ointment.

LASB: FOOTNOTES:" These wise men gave these expensive gifts as worthy acknowledgement for a future King. Bible students have seen in the gifts symbols of Christ's identity and what He would accomplish. Gold was a gift for royalty; frankincense was a gift for Deity; and myrrh was a spice used to anoint a body for burial.  These gifts may have provided the financial resources for the trip to Egypt and back. "

ü      What are your thoughts concerning these three gifts…given to The King?

           

            Emmanuel…God with us. Jesus, our Savior, Who took on flesh and dwelt among us. Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, The Everlasting Father and The Prince of Peace.