Meditate in 360Sample

Garden of Gethsemane

Today, we will meditate on God’s promise to make us part of his family.

In front of you is the garden of Gethsemane. Many olive groves existed on the Mount of Olives in the days of the disciples. But it was here that Jesus came with his followers the night before he died. He prayed for God’s will to be done regardless of what it might cost him.

Some of the trees you see are hundreds of years old.

Olive trees are unique. They require a gardener who will carefully prune the branches, harvest the olives, and, when needed, cut off limbs that do not produce good olives.

Sometimes, olive trees need new branches grafted in to help them grow and produce more olives. The tree might reject the new branch, but the Gardener is careful in how he unites them so they grow together as one, producing more olives than they could separately.

The Apostle Paul said Israel was like an olive tree. God is her gardener. He planted the seed, watered the tree, and harvested her fruit. But God’s promises of family go beyond Israel. Paul says those who believe in Jesus as Messiah are grafted into God’s olive tree.

This is why Jesus came to this olive garden to pray. He submitted to his Father’s will to rescue all those who would believe in him. He came to this garden to confirm God’s desire to make you a member of his family.

Because of Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead,

We are a people chosen by God, a royal priesthood prepared to serve Him, a set-apart nation, even God’s work of divine art. He has made us a family through Jesus so that we might share his light with all of the nations.

Reflect upon God’s promise to you.

How does being a member of his family change how you live today? Does it challenge your values or priorities? Will tomorrow be different?