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.
Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in the Truthful Grace of Jesus Christ through this Spirit-filled, Bible-based, prayerful poems that inspire, encourage and challenge you to draw ever closer to our Lord and God.
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Where the Water Flows
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His are the Hands
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In Just the Right Spot
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She Bows Her Head
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