Crushed for Our Redemption: Jesus in Gethsemane

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Garden of Gethsemane

#### Bible Reading
1. **Mark 14:32-36** - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
2. **Luke 22:44** - Jesus' Sweat Like Drops of Blood

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the name "Gethsemane" mean, and how does it relate to the events that took place there? [00:40]
2. How did Jesus describe His psychological state in the Garden of Gethsemane? [01:25]
3. What physical condition did Jesus experience due to extreme stress, and what does it signify? [02:52]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jesus' psychological distress in Gethsemane reveal about His humanity and His ability to relate to our own struggles? [01:25]
2. How does Jesus' spiritual battle in Gethsemane illustrate the reality of spiritual warfare for believers? [01:25]
3. In what ways does Jesus' experience of betrayal and abandonment in Gethsemane provide comfort to those who feel forsaken by friends or loved ones? [02:13]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by psychological pressure. How can Jesus' experience in Gethsemane help you find comfort and strength in such moments? [01:25]
2. Jesus engaged in intense prayer during His spiritual battle. How can you incorporate more fervent prayer into your own spiritual battles? [01:25]
3. Have you ever felt betrayed or abandoned by someone close to you? How does knowing that Jesus experienced similar emotions help you cope with those feelings? [02:13]
4. Jesus' physical suffering in Gethsemane was extreme. How does this knowledge impact your understanding of the sacrifices He made for your redemption? [02:52]
5. The Garden of Gethsemane was a place of crushing pressure for Jesus. What are some "Gethsemane" moments in your life, and how can you remain steadfast in your faith during those times? [00:40]
6. Jesus' obedience and love were pressed out in Gethsemane, setting the stage for our redemption. How can you demonstrate obedience and love in your daily life, even under pressure? [00:40]
7. How can you be more aware of the spiritual dimension of your life and engage in prayer and vigilance as Jesus did in Gethsemane? [01:25]

Day 1: Enduring Love in Crushing Pressure
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus exemplified the ultimate form of steadfast love and obedience under immense pressure. This garden, aptly named 'the oil press,' symbolizes the intense suffering Jesus willingly underwent for humanity's redemption. As olives are pressed to yield oil, Jesus was pressed from all sides by psychological, spiritual, emotional, and physical trials. Yet, in this moment of extreme anguish, the pure oil of His love and obedience flowed forth. This act of enduring love is not just a historical event; it is the bedrock of faith and the beacon of hope for all believers. It is a testament to the lengths Jesus went to secure our salvation and a model for us to follow in our own trials. [07:40]

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

Reflection: How can you emulate Jesus' example of steadfast love and obedience in the face of your own personal pressures and trials?

Day 2: Humanity and Divinity in Distress
The psychological distress Jesus experienced in Gethsemane reveals the profound depth of His humanity. He felt the full spectrum of human emotions, from deep sorrow to acute distress, demonstrating that He truly understands our struggles and weaknesses. This connection to our human experience allows us to see Jesus not only as our divine Savior but also as a compassionate High Priest who has walked in our shoes. His sinless response to suffering provides us with a perfect example of how to face our own mental and emotional battles. [07:70]

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." - Hebrews 4:15

Reflection: When facing mental or emotional distress, how can you draw strength from Jesus' example in Gethsemane?

Day 3: The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
The spiritual battle Jesus faced in the Garden of Gethsemane serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing spiritual warfare in the world. Jesus' struggle was not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil. His intense prayer and submission to the Father's will in the face of this battle exemplify the vigilance and spiritual fortitude required of His followers. As believers, we are called to be aware of the spiritual dimension that influences our lives and to engage in prayer and watchfulness, just as Jesus did. [07:118]

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12

Reflection: What are some ways you can actively engage in spiritual warfare through prayer and vigilance in your daily life?

Day 4: Comfort in Betrayal and Abandonment
The emotional pain of betrayal and abandonment that Jesus endured is a poignant part of His suffering. He was betrayed by Judas, one of His closest followers, and abandoned by His friends in His time of need. Yet, this experience allows Jesus to deeply understand and provide comfort to those who have been hurt by others. His path of suffering assures us that we are never alone, even when we feel forsaken by those we trust. [07:157]

"Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me." - Psalm 41:9

Reflection: How can you find solace in Jesus' understanding of betrayal and abandonment in your own experiences of hurt?

Day 5: The Physicality of Jesus' Sacrifice
The physical manifestation of Jesus' suffering in the Garden, evidenced by hematidrosis, highlights the extreme anguish He willingly endured for our sake. This rare medical condition, where one sweats blood due to severe stress, underscores the reality of His sacrifice. Jesus' path to the cross was marked by genuine physical pain and suffering, which He bore for our healing and wholeness. His physical torment is a testament to His love for us and His commitment to our redemption. [07:40]

"I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting." - Isaiah 50:6

Reflection: In what ways does the reality of Jesus' physical suffering deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice, and how does it inspire you to live out your gratitude?

And Gethsemane wasn't just a nice, peaceful place to pray; it was loaded with prophetic significance. Gethsemane actually means "the oil press," so the olives that grow there, actually to this day, 2,000 years later, were clearly back then pressed on site.

So Gethsemane was a place of pressure, of literal crushing. And we've actually got an olive press here, Gemma, a bit smaller than the one in Gethsemane, I suspect, but basically the same principle.

You fancy giving it a go?

Yeah, I'd love to. Let's make some oil. It's not complicated; pressure pulps the fruit and extracts the oil.

I imagine Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, gazing across at this giant one of these, clearly feeling crushed at every level.

Firstly, Jesus was under unbearable pressure psychologically. Mark says that he was deeply distressed and troubled, and Jesus himself says, "My soul's overwhelmed." The Greek word translated to "soul" here is "psyche," so Jesus is literally saying, "My psyche is overwhelmed." The totality of my mind, conscious and unconscious, is in agony.

Secondly, Jesus is being crushed spiritually. Verse 35 says that he fell to the ground to pray. So this isn't just like a polite devotional; Jesus is wrestling here with God, the flesh, and the devil, anticipating the dark night of his own soul the next day.

Thirdly, Jesus is being crushed emotionally. He's just been betrayed by someone he loved and trusted, sold like a piece of meat for cash. He's begged his three best friends for help, but instead, they've let him down. After all these years of relentless, unconditional love, there's no one on earth who can comfort Jesus in his loneliest hour.

And then fourthly, Jesus is being crushed physically. We're told in Luke's Gospel that his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. So Jesus is suffering here from a rare condition called hematidrosis, in which, under extreme anguish, capillaries rupture in the subcutaneous layer of skin near the sweat glands, so that the sufferer emits sweat tinged with blood.

So here, beyond any doubt, really is a man caught in the extremes of mental, spiritual, emotional, and even physical torment.

"Gethsemane actually means the oil press, so the olives that grow there were pressed on site. Gethsemane was a place of pressure, of literal crushing." [00:40] (Download | Crop for social media)

"Jesus was under unbearable pressure psychologically. Mark says that he was deeply distressed and troubled, and Jesus himself says my soul's overwhelmed." [01:25] (Download | Crop for social media)

"Jesus is wrestling here with God, the Flesh, and the devil, anticipating The Dark Night of his own soul the next day." [02:13] (Download | Crop for social media)

"Jesus is being crushed emotionally; he's just been betrayed by someone he loved and trusted, sold like a piece of meat for cash." [02:13] (Download | Crop for social media)

"Jesus suffering here from a rare condition called hematidrosis in which under extreme anguish capillaries rupture in the subcutaneous layer of skin near the sweat glands." [02:52] (Download | Crop for social media)