On the Mountain Top with Jesus #4

March 21, 2010 MW “On the Mountain Top with Jesus”
series #4/6
Stockwell Road MBC
THE MOUNTAIN OF TRIAL AND TRANQUILITY
Matthew 26:36-46
INTRODUCTION:
A. There is a difference in the words enjoy and endure. I don’t endure a ball game with my boys…I enjoy it. I don’t endure a bowl of ice cream…I enjoy it. I don’t endure church…I enjoy it! I do endure Lifetime movies with Cindy instead of enjoy them.

B. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:1, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher; of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” If you think for one moment that Jesus looked forward to the painful, agonizing death of crucifixion you are misinterpreting Scripture. The joy set before him was being seated at the father’s right hand but he had to ENDURE the cross first. This is where our text finds us. Jesus has crossed the Kidron valley and climbed up the Mt. of Olives and entered his place of refuge, the Garden of Gethsemane. Gethsemane means “olive press” and it was a small grove of olive trees. Here the Lord Jesus experienced the greatest trial of His life but also experienced great tranquility. Jesus endured great emotional suffering. This may surprise you because He is the Son of God, perfect in every way and how could he experience emotional struggle. Notice v. 38…the word soul is the word psyche and refers to the mind or the emotions. In this scripture…in the Garden on top of the Mt. of olives we glimpse the humanity of Jesus Christ. Last week we viewed his deity and glory in the Transfiguration but today we see Him as a suffering man and in his trial we find the path to tranquility. How did Jesus deal with His emotional distress?

C. Have you ever been there before? Have you ever gotten overwhelmed with a certain situation? (dealing with a serious family matter, loss of income, dealing with the death of a close loved one, critical illness of a child) These all are experiences that God allows to try us and make us into stronger Christians. Satan is the cause of all temptations that we face but God allows these trials. The trials that we endure are for our benefit and are more precious than gold that has been purified according to I Peter 1:7. As we endure these trials we must follow the Lord’s example and see how he experienced the victory.
BODY:
I. THE PRESSURE vs. 36-38
Note: We can never forget the humanity of Jesus Christ. Pressures mount in our lives and the also mounted in Jesus’ life…the difference is in how we deal with it. Many times we allow it to overcome us or swell inside until we pop. What caused this pressure to mount? He was hours away from Calvary and as he looked across the kidron valley towards the Temple and he beheld the smoke from the evening offering still ascending.
A. The Blood He Would Shed—sacrifice was bled out 1st

B. The Death He Would Suffer—the fire consumed it all

II. THE PRAYER vs. 39-44
Note: In this text Jesus teaches us what to do and how to deal with circumstances. Our circumstances and situations can cause to feel many different emotions but Jesus teaches us what to do!
A. Prayer Support—He brought his inner three with Him and he told them to watch with him and pray…you cannot count on others alone

B. Prayer Substance
1. honesty—the Father already knows your fear and struggle…be honest with the Lord
2. humility—if no other way…I submit to you!

III. THE PEACE vs. 45-46
Note: After His prayer Jesus experienced a peace and we can tell this by his reaction to finding the Disciples asleep AGAIN and knowing that Judas was there to betray Him. This, too me, is an unexplainable peace or one that comes directly from the Father. It is available to us by knowing He is in control of my life.
A. Peace In Spite of
1. no change to circumstances
2. circumstances getting worse

B. Peace Because of
1. His compassion
2. His control

CONCLUSION:
Today you may of come here with great turmoil but you can leave with great tranquility! Will you pray and put it in His hands?