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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.”

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” - Mark 14:32-36

Just like the very human inability of the disciples to ‘keep watch’ with Jesus, so it is with our sin: unwilling to stop, unable to fully understand the burden of our iniquities, in need of deliverance. 

But we are spared by His agony. We are saved because we never had to bear the true weight of our own shortcomings. It was in a garden, similar to this one, surrounded by trees and the stillness of the night, that Jesus encountered the weight of what was to come. That weight, which we deserved, served to nearly crush the life from the Son of God in the Garden of Gethsemane.

INSTRUCTIONS

Pick up and take with you one of these stones as a representation of the weight, the burden, the heaviness, of your separation from God through ‘missing the mark’. Carry it with you until further instruction. 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. - Ephesians 1:7,8

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8 

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Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!” - Matthew 27:15-17; 20; 22

Who really called out, sentenced, and ultimately drove the nails into Jesus’ flesh?  

The pain of being crucified is not just physically excruciating, but painfully humiliating as well. Yet, with each stroke of the hammer, every inch of nail going further into the Cross, Jesus knew there was reason, purpose and, yes, loving passion, for His obedience to the plans of the Father. Who drove these nails into Him? The prophet Isaiah foretold the answer over 800 years earlier:

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5

INSTRUCTIONS

• Hold out your right palm and receive this red-dipped nail from the attendant as a representation of Jesus’ blood shed for you.

• Next, take a marker and write on the paper a word, phrase, or symbol representing the ‘transgressions or iniquities’ that keep you from fully living the life God has for you.

• Take this nail and hammer your written shortcomings to the Cross.

Receive His loving, redemptive healing. By HIS wounds, we are healed. This is the will of the Father. This is God’s plan. This is love.

 …. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. - Hebrews 9:22  

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9

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The Grace of God and the power of salvation was clearly displayed in Jesus’ final moments on the Cross.  As those gathered around Jesus mocked Him, one of the two criminals being executed along with Jesus joined in their mockery.  The other criminal however, recognized the extraordinary opportunity before him:

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him:

            “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him.

            “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.

            But this man has done nothing wrong.”

 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

 Jesus answered him,

            “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23:39-43

INSTRUCTIONS

With a marker, write your name AND the name(s) of those you may be challenged to see “in Jesus’ Paradise” on the center and side crosses. Consider those who may be further from God, or with whom you are in conflict or disagreement with.

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe… or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. - Romans 3:22-24

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As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. - Matthew 27:57-61

Jesus was most likely taken from the Cross by nightfall, his body lovingly prepared for burial immediately by Joseph of Arimathea. The dark, empty tomb where Jesus was placed had been waiting to be used – waiting for a purpose. But we know it became more than just a waiting room for just His body.

INSTRUCTIONS

Gently place your stone with the others as a reminder that Jesus willingly, lovingly, took on the weight of your transgressions, your troubles, longings, hurts, and prayers. While Jesus was being laid in that tomb – once, and for all – so was the weight of all humanity so that we may know the depth of love given for each of us – the true weight of His glory.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22

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Whether considering ourselves or others, rarely are there times without considerable pain, suffering, loss, or tribulation. Yet, we are reminded that after the storms of life, there are times of renewal and hope, rebuilding, and re-imagining. Herein lies the great paradox of beauty from ashes; order from chaos; triumph from tragedy; life after death.

Jesus’ love for us is without bounds, and His promise of life everlasting represents the ultimate hope. And, though we carry pain from loss, may we find strengthening courage with the promise of a redeemed and renewed life, a Heavenly union with Jesus – and a reunion with others.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor power nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38,39

INSTRUCTIONS

We memorialize death through the offering of flowers, a reminder of the sweetness of this renewal. We invite you take in the aroma of these flowers, herb pouches, and the natural beauty of this garden as you sit in silence with our loving Lord. Offer your prayers to Him. Remember Him. Be with Him.

May He bring you comfort and peace as you go. Shalom.

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NOTE: The Communion elements may be taken before or after the completing the Garden Experience

On the evening before the events of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, Jesus gathered His disciples in the Upper Room for one last meal.

The Bread

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

– 1 Corinthians 11:23b-24

Take and eat The Bread in remembrance of our Savior. 

The Cup

25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

– 1 Corinthians 11:25-26

As you take The Cup, take time to meditate on the sacrifice of The Savior.

Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me.  And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.

– John 12:44, 45; 49; 50

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