Danya Jordan

It was such a blessing to Experience the Holy Land with Lysa TerKeurst and Proverbs 31 Ministries. Will you journey with me the next several weeks, see some of the beautiful scenes and ponder together the deepest, most meaningful, biblical lessons I learned? With Easter this month, let’s explore the Garden of Gethsemane…

You feel God’s presence as soon as you walk through the limestone threshold into The Garden of Gethsemane. The peaceful garden sits on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. There are rows and rows of beautiful, ancient, olive trees; it’s more of an orchard, really.

It is possible that some of the olive trees are descendants of the same olive trees from Jesus’ day. Isaiah 11:1 refers to this: “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”

“They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took Peter, James, and John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch.’ Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him, ‘Abba, Father, he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” –Mark 14:32-36.

Those last nine words are some of the most Hell-shattering, demon-quaking words in the Bible. It’s the breath prayer I pray daily—“Yet not what I will, but what You will.”

Or “Thy will be done.”

The Gospel of Luke’s account says Jesus sweated blood. “And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood, falling to the ground.” –Luke 22:44.

I go to one of the ancient olive trees and drop to my knees to pray. It is here that I weep the most, reflecting on and repenting of my sins that drove Jesus here.

Friend, what sorrow are you experiencing right now? What pain are you going through? Jesus knows. He understands. He feels it.

I can’t imagine the sorrow Jesus felt that night. Jesus took on the whole world’s past, present and future sins. He paid a debt He did not owe because you and I owe a debt we cannot pay. He died for us, so that we may live for Him. He died for you. He died for me.  I’m so grateful for this Gift I don’t deserve because I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. You can have that, too, by accepting this free Gift of salvation.

The word “Gethsemane” means “oil press.”It’s so significant that our Lord prayed fervently here, amidst the olive tree orchard. Lysa TerKeurst  taught our group that three things cause the olive tree to be fruitful:

• Harsh winds of the East and refreshing winds of the West.
• Olives are always bitter to the taste. For them to be useful, they undergo a process: soaked, salted to get rid of bitterness, and soaked in Living Water.
• Olive oil is the most useful. After the olives are pressed and hand-beaten, the purest oil is used for:
  • A. Holy Use (anointing)
  • B. Industrial/food use
  • C. Oil for Light. Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12). He wants us to “shine” our Light for Him (Matthew 5:16).

Oh, how similar our life lessons are to the olive tree.

It is difficult to leave this place. I say one more prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross before leaving this Holy Ground. The words “Thank you” seem inadequate to cover my debt of gratitude. May this Easter we experience a revival in our souls felt like never before.

If you would like to accept Jesus as your Savior, the free Gift of Salvation, it’s simple, friend.

Here is how you can receive Christ:

1. Admit your need. (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior).

Simply pray this prayer:

Dear God,

            I know that I am a a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

All of us here on earth and in heaven are celebrating with you, friend. IF you just prayed that prayer, please send me an email at Danya@proverbs31.org. I’d love to send you a free small gift to celebrate the biggest decision of your life.

Happy Easter!