Over the years, I have realized that God is more excited about spending time with us than we have ever been about spending time with him. Think about that – let it soak in! Wow!

In the Bible, oil often refers to the Holy Spirit, His power, and His anointing. Jesus often went to the Mount of Olives or Gethsemane, as it was often called, to be alone with his Father and pray. The word “Gethsemane” means “Oil Press” or “Olive Press.” To Jesus, Gethsemane was a special place because this is where he often enjoyed wonderful intimacy with his Father. During these special times of communion, Jesus would gain his Father’s heart and the anointing and grace necessary to carry out his Father’s purpose. I’ve always thought that if Jesus needed special time with God, how much more so, me.

Only when olives are crushed, do they produce the oil. Similarly, only when our outer, carnal nature is crushed does the power of the Spirit flow freely through us. Intimacy with God causes the outer man to be subdued so that the power of the Holy Spirit can flow through the inner man. Also, time in the presence of God causes a person to come into unity with the predestined purpose of God for their life! Yes, unity with God causes a person to know who they really are! The last time Jesus went to the Mount of olives was right before he was crucified. Here is the account.

Mat 26:36-46 36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40Then, he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43When he came back, he again found them sleeping because their eyes were heavy. 44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45Then, he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

It is interesting that prayer had the power to keep them from temptation. Why? Because it is the presence of God that empowers a person to live like God! Just like Jesus, you can be sure that your quiet place is where you will meet with God and receive the anointing to carry out your life purpose. This is why Jesus often withdrew to quite places to pray.

Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Jesus fully executed his mission even to the death because of what he acquired during those special times of communion with God. Just like Jesus, the time you spend at Gethsemane (your special place of prayer) is where you will also find the empowerment to execute your God-given purpose!

Oh, how God longs for you to come and soak in his glorious presence! Gethsemane – There is no better day than today, no better time than now, and no better person than you. What about scheduling some special time with God today? I can assure you that your loving heavenly Father is so excited about spending time with you that he is already at your quiet place…

Waiting for You