What does the word “Gethsemane” mean to you? What do you think of when you hear it?

For us, it is the starting point for an examination of the last day Jesus spent on Earth. The primary reason for starting this 40-day devotional journey with the Garden of Gethsemane is the dramatic change in tone as the disciples walked with Jesus from the Upper Room to his private place of prayer. On that walk, Jesus told his followers, “This very night you will fall away from me.” Jesus spoke of his death, his resurrection, and meeting the disciples again in Galilee.

Imagine how that announcement changed the atmosphere of their brief journey! Only minutes before they had shared a meal, listened to Jesus’ teachings, and worshipped together through singing. Now the disciples heard Jesus was about to die and they were about to forsake him. It was almost unbelievable.

Jesus’ demeanor changed, too. The agony of what was about to happen became overwhelming. It increased with every step taking Jesus closer to the Garden. He told his inner circle of disciples his agony was “to the point of death.” The agony would not end until Jesus breathed his last.