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Hear current audio messages by Pastor Scott Burr at:
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Thursday, March 29, 2012

“The Oil Press of Prayer”

(Part 1)

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today- yes, tonight- before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.”

Mark 14:27-31

As the disciples left the place of the Passover meal to make their way to the Mount of Olives, Jesus stirs the disciples up, once again, when he tells them that according to Zechariah 13:7 that a time is coming when they will all fall away! Zealous Peter can hardly contain himself! At the Passover meal, Jesus had inferred that one of them was going to betray him, now he informs them that in addition to this, all of them were going to fall away! It drove Peter to “insist emphatically” that even if he had to die, he would never disown Jesus.

Peter was about to learn a valuable lesson. One in which he would discover that passion is no substitute for preparation. During the Passover meal Jesus gave Peter this dire warning:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:31

Peter was about to be pressed! All this transpired on their way to a place on the Mount of Olives called Gethsemane. Gethsemane when translated means “oil press”. It is here that the olives that were grown were placed in a large stone basin with a millstone upon them. Under the crushing, turning weight of the stone the olives were crushed into paste releasing the oil within.

As Jesus approached this place he began to become deeply distressed:
“They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them, “Stay here and keep watch.”
Mark 14:32-34

Jesus understood that he was on his way to the cross. Soon he would be facing reproach, torture and death. He would soon feel the weight of the world’s sin poured out on him. He fell to the ground and began to pray fervently:

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Luke 22:43

Jesus, hours before his crucifixion, prepared himself for the unimaginable trial that was before him by pressing into a time of earnest prayer.

Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/

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