A Valley Crossed, a Garden Found
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. (John 18:21)
Jn. 17:22-18:1; Ps. 143:10; Mt. 26:30-46, Eph. 6:6, Jas. 4:15
What Is God Saying?
Jesus had been talking with His disciples in the Upper Room. He instructed them to follow His example of humble service (ch. 13). He gave them the encouraging words of a prepared place in the Father's house (ch. 14 ). He stressed the importance of abiding in Him and the real parameters of friendship (ch. 15). He promised that beyond the impending sorrow, there would be joy that would never be taken from them. He prayed the real Lord's prayer (ch. 17), and then Gethsemane.
They walked with heavy feet down the steps into the Kidron Valley, and partway up the Mount of Olives to a secret place. Then, for their eyes only, came the loneliest hour of Jesus' life on earth. They watched as He drained the bitter cup. They saw how much He loved them-
‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ (Jn. 15: 13)
They were to see how the world's greatest suffering led to the world's greatest hope.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Have you ever faced a lonely hour of testing? When you wrestled with a towering temptation ... or when you had to keep going with a kind of deadness in a heart still beating but so empty because a love that seemed so right suddenly went wrong ... or when you saw the still form of a life partner at the end of his or her struggle ... or when you took a stand alone knowing you were right, while so many kept insisting you were wrong. This is only the periphery of the anguish our Lord felt in the Garden. He understands. He knows what it means to feel forsaken.
I can remember my dear Mother at the kitchen sink. The sun shone in with a caressing warmth--- everything glowed with well-being. I remember her singing in simple joy and trust of Beulah Land, a beautiful name for the Lord's bride, Israel-
O Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land,
as on the highest rock I stand,
I look away across the sea,
where mansions are prepared for me, I see the shining glory shore,
my Heaven my home forevermore.
‘Never again shall you be called 'the Land that God forgot.' Your new name will be 'the land of God's Delight'(or 'The Bride') for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his own.’ (Isa. 62.4 TLB)
That is what it means to pass through a valley of loneliness, and staying loyal to the Lord until we are in "The Land of God's Delight"-through loneliness to joy-through the valley to the Garden.
Pray With Me
Lord Jesus, You went across a valley to a garden with Your disciples, ‘Across the Kidron valley, there was a garden.’ It is good to know that this is always true for those who are Yours. Beyond every valley, there is a garden. Beyond every burden, there is rest. Beyond every disappointment, there is fulfilment. We know it was in that garden, Lord, that You suffered in anguish beyond all comprehension. Yet because it was there that You accepted and drained the cup, the garden becomes for us a place that glows with peace and joy. We go there to discover that Your perfect will causes life to make sense. There we learn that taking the hard step of discipline brings joy as the crushing of flowers brings out the1r fragrance.
In Gethsemane, the world's greatest suffering led to the world's greatest hope. We discover that beyond the nighttime of our soul's anguish, there comes the dawn of our soul's peace. Help me, Lord Jesus, to always trust that when You take me through suffering. You will lead me to joy when You take me to the place of crucifixi0n. You will lead me to the gates of new life; when You take me across a valley, You will lead me to a garden.
To the praise of Your glorious name. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Today in The Church of All Nations at Gethsemane, there is a large rock surrounded by a rail for kneeling. It was certainly here or near here that He prayed, ‘Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.’ Seemg love so amazing, so divine, I am better able to say, ‘Thy will be done.’ I have seen it proved so many times—the will that allows our greatest trial leads us to our greatest joy.
