Fall 1999
The Oil Press
Tracey Harper

"Then Jesus came with them to a place called
Gethsemane." Matt 26:36a.

Gethsemane, meaning "oil press,” is a garden that is located on the Mount of Olives. It was here that Jesus agonized the evening before His death on the cross.

"And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. And His
sweat became like great drops of blood falling down
to the ground." Luke 22:44.

Three times, Jesus inquired of His Father that the “cup” might pass from Him, the “press” of His being. It was not the nails of the cross that caused this agony, but rather, He who knew no sin, drinking the cup of our sin.

However, His desire to do the will of His Father prevailed. Paul would later petition the Lord three times that a thorn in his flesh would be taken away. The Lord's reply was,

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is
made perfect in weakness." II Cor 12:9a.

This same grace that the Lord said would be sufficient for Paul enabled Jesus to die on the cross as a sacrifice for our sin. It is also the same grace that is available to us, when we are feeling the “press” of our circumstances.

"Of His fullness we have all received, and grace
for grace." John 1:16-17.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you,
that you, always having all sufficiency in all things,
have an abundance for every good work." II Cor 9:8.

Gethsemane was a place that was frequented by Jesus, and where He led his disciples many times. If we choose to follow Jesus all the way, He also will lead us to the place of the oil press.

The Lord will then multiply His grace toward us, that the fruit of His life in us, will also be pressed into oil.

This oil will then become a blessing to many, as they receive from our sacrifice.