Summary
This powerful message takes us on a journey through two sacred spaces: the Garden of Gethsemane and the Upper Room, revealing the profound symbolism woven throughout Christ’s final hours. We discover that Gethsemane itself means ‘olive press,’ where olives were crushed three times to produce oil of varying purity. This becomes a breathtaking picture of Jesus praying three times in that garden, bearing the crushing weight of our sin. Just as the first pressing produced virgin oil dedicated to God, Jesus offered himself as the perfect sacrifice. The exclusive nature of salvation shines through His prayer: ‘If possible, let this cup pass from me.’ There was no other way. We also witness the beautiful reversal from Eden’s garden, where Adam chose his will over God’s, to Gethsemane, where Jesus surrendered completely: ‘Not my will, but yours.’ This is the heart of discipleship—exchanging our desires for His purposes. As we examine the Passover meal with its four cups representing sanctification, deliverance, redemption, and praise, we see Jesus drinking the cup we could never drink. The third cup, the cup of redemption with its bitter wine, was His alone to bear. When we observe communion, we are not earning our salvation but remembering that Jesus already completed the work, allowing us to rest in His finished sacrifice.
Key Scripture
Matthew 26
Ice Breaker
What’s something new you learned about communion or the Last Supper from this message that you had never considered before?
Key Takeaways
1. The Garden of Gethsemane (The Olive Press)
- Gethsemane literally means “olive press” (Gat = press, Shmani = oil)
- Olives were pressed three times with increasing pressure
- Jesus prayed three times in the garden, bearing the weight of our sin
- The symbolism: Just as olives were crushed to produce oil, Jesus was crushed under the weight of our sin
2. The Exclusive Way
- Jesus asked, “If possible, let this cup pass from me”
- There was no other way for salvation except through Jesus
- The cross was necessary because God is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful
3. The Exchanged Will
- Jesus demonstrated: “Not my will, but Your will be done”
- This reversed Adam’s choice in the Garden of Eden
- The Christian life requires laying our will on the cross
4. The Four Cups of Passover
- Cup of Sanctification (preparation)
- Cup of Deliverance (rescue from slavery)
- Cup of Redemption (Jesus drank this alone in Gethsemane)
- Cup of Praise (future reunion with the Father)
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Message
- The Olive Press Symbolism
- How does understanding the olive oil-making process deepen your appreciation for what Jesus endured in Gethsemane?
- What significance do you see in Jesus praying three times, just as olives were pressed three times?
- The Exclusive Way
- Why do you think Jesus asked if there was another way, even though He knew the answer?
- How do you respond to people who say there are many paths to God? How does this sermon equip you to have that conversation?
- The Exchanged Will
- What does it practically look like to exchange our will for God’s will in daily life?
- How often do we approach God with an “If possible, do this…else, your will be done” approach to prayer?
- Share a time when you struggled to surrender your will to God. What was the outcome?
Digging Deeper
- The Passover Connection
- How does understanding the Jewish Passover enhance your understanding of what Jesus accomplished?
- What does it mean that Jesus is our “Passover Lamb”? How does this connect to freedom from sin’s slavery?
- The Matzah (Unleavened Bread)
- The matzah was pierced, brused/striped. How does Isaiah 53:5 connect to this imagery to what Christ endured for us?
- Why is it significant that the bread had no yeast (symbol of sin)?
- The Cup of Redemption
- Why could only Jesus drink the cup of redemption?
- What does it mean that Jesus took the “bitterness” so we could experience the “sweetness”?
Scripture Reference
- Matthew 26 – Primary text for the sermon (Garden of Gethsemane account)
- Matthew 26:36 – Jesus comes to Gethsemane
- Matthew 26:39 – Jesus’ first prayer (“let this cup pass from me”)
- Luke 22:17 – First cup at the Last Supper
- Luke 22:18 – Jesus won’t drink until the kingdom comes
- Luke 22:19 – Breaking of bread
- Luke 22:20 – Cup after supper/new covenant
- Isaiah 53 – “He was pierced for our transgressions”
- Exodus 6:6-7 – God’s four “I will” statements (basis for four cups)
- John (specific chapter not mentioned) – “I thirst” on the cross