By Melissa McLaughlin

 

His footsteps fall softly in the olive grove

Enveloped in verdant Garden fragrance

The tender leaves, the stalwart trunks rooted and still,

The young olive fruit swelling with sustenance

 

A Garden pulsing with life

Yet death casts its shadow there

 

The earthy soil once wet with morning dew,

Now soaked with the tears of His divine sorrow

 

His steps falter as He drops to His knees

Face down, body gripped with anguish

The ominous ordeal looms ahead

 

Drops of blood slip from His brow

Mingling with tears and sweat

A river of grief flowing steadily down

Cries and tears are His prayer

 

The Son of Man, spotless and pure

Absorbing the full darkness of humanity

 

Every sin

of the world

Laid upon the back

Of the innocent Lamb

Precious, holy, gentle and good

 

In that moment

The Perfect One

Accepts the penalty

For every trace of wickedness

 

Taking our place

Justice is served

Righteousness upheld

Mercy extended

Grace given

To all who believe

Jesus is LORD

 

Brooding, dreading, enduring

The cross

For the joy set before Him

We. Were. That. Joy.

 

Remember another Garden

Not so long ago

Where sin took hold

Where God foretold

Of One who would come

To utter the final Word, “It is finished.”

 

That battle has begun

Right here in the Garden of Gethsemane

The Word speaks, “Not my will, but yours be done.”

The heaviness lifts

As He arises in the sovereign strength

Of heaven’s redemption song

 

A rustle of feet, hushed voices call

His captors rush in, the time has come

 

Yet He walks out in might, Son of God and Son of Man

For the battle on His knees is won

 

The King who would set us free from sin

Walks out of the Garden of Gethsemane

On a path toward pain and scorn and death

A captive of men

And a Victor for all

 

Mark 14:32-36 – And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.  And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Luke 22:39-44 – And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.  And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”  And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Hebrews 1:3 – He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

 

Additional Resources:

Vision of Red – Poem by Melissa McLaughlin

Song of the Rose – Poem by Melissa McLaughlin

The Sacrificial Lamb – Why Did Jesus Have to Die? By Melissa McLaughlin

What is Passover? How is Jesus the Final Passover Lamb? By Melissa McLaughlin