THE WEEK THAT SHOOK HISTORY: A 7-Day Easter Devotion by AussieDave AdamsonSample

Gethsemane - The Olive Press of Prayer

Here's something you might not know about one of the most important locations in the Easter story.

In Biblical times, farmers would put olives in the trough of a stone olive press, and then roll the large, heavy circular stone over them. The enormous weight of the stone crushed the olives, allowing the oil inside to pour out through a spout cut into the stone. The first pass of the heavy stone produced the most precious, pure drops of olive oil.

This oil was extremely expensive and was used to anoint kings.

In Hebrew, this sort of olive press is called a "gat shemanim" (גת שמנים pronounced "geth-sem-uh-nim"), which we translate in English as "gethsemane". Sound familiar?

During Easter, followers of Jesus remember that it was in the Garden of Gethsemane that Jesus experienced such intense anguish in prayer. Luke describes Him as sweating drops that fell like blood (Luke 22:44). Some scholars suggest this might describe hematidrosis—a rare condition where someone under extreme duress can experience blood mixing with sweat. Whether understood literally or as a powerful description of His agony, this moment shows us the first evidence of Jesus' suffering, as the weight of our sin began to press down on Him.

True pressure reveals what's truly inside us. Under the greatest weight imaginable, Jesus yielded pure sacrifice.

So the next time you use olive oil to cook, remember Jesus' sacrifice... which began in the Garden of the Olive Press.

It's also worth noting how Jesus prayed in this moment of extreme pressure. Three times He asked if there might be another way, yet each time concluded with "not my will, but yours be done." Even in His most vulnerable moment, facing unimaginable suffering, Jesus demonstrated perfect submission to the Father's plan.

The olives in the press had no choice but to yield their oil under pressure. Jesus, however, chose to yield. He could have called legions of angels to rescue Him (Matthew 26:53), but instead, He allowed Himself to be pressed so that the precious oil of salvation could flow out for us all.

Reflection Question: When have you experienced times of pressure or suffering that ultimately produced something valuable in your life? How does seeing Gethsemane as an "olive press" change your perspective on Jesus' prayer?

Action Step: The next time you feel under pressure, remember the Garden of Gethsemane. Take a moment to pray "not my will, but yours be done," surrendering your situation to God.

Prayer: Father, I'm amazed at Jesus' willingness to be pressed like an olive in Gethsemane. Thank You for the precious gift that flowed from His sacrifice. When I face pressure in my own life, help me remember that You can use even suffering to produce something valuable. Give me the strength to pray as Jesus did—surrendering my will to Yours. Remind me of Gethsemane when I'm tempted to resist Your work in my life. Amen.