When people use the phrase “this may be your Gethsemane,” what does that mean?

on Apr 3, 2024

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: When people use the phrase “this may be your Gethsemane,” what does that mean? – H.L.

A: The garden of Gethsemane is at the base of the Mount of Olives outside the gates of Jerusalem. The word Gethsemane means “oil press.” When olives are harvested, they are squeezed under an enormous revolving stone that mashes the fruit to pulp and recovers the valuable oil.

This is where Jesus revealed His humanity. There, in the garden of Gethsemane, He faced the wheel of humiliation, and death would squeeze Jesus to the point of His greatest agony. In this place, He pleaded with His Father for release — but only if it were God’s will.

But there was no other way for our just and loving God to deal with our sins. Sin must be punished. If God were simply to forgive our sins without judging them, then there would be no justice, no accountability for wrongdoing. God would not be truly holy and just.

If God were to judge us for our sins as we deserve, there would be no hope of salvation for any of us. His love would have failed to provide what we need. So Jesus willingly became the sacrifice for the sin of mankind.

The cross was the only way to resolve the problem of sin. At the cross, God’s love and justice came together. Jesus took the punishment we deserve, and now those who receive His salvation are clothed in His perfect righteousness. We never have to question His love for us. He proved it once and for all on the cross. We should thank Him continually for coming to this earth. We should always be mindful of His sacrifice for us. And we forever should glory in His resurrection, for we also have new life and hope for eternity with Jesus Christ forever.

“I will praise You … with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore” (Psalm 86:12, NKJV).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)