Day 5: The Olive Press
Scripture Reading: Luke 22:39–46; Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 5:7–9
The Road: Into the Crushing
On Thursday night, after the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples left the Upper Room. He took them across the Kidron Valley to Gethsemane, a place on the Mount of Olives where they often prayed together. The name Gethsemane comes from the Hebrew words Gat-Shemanim (גַּת שְׁמָנִים), which literally translates to "Oil Press".
To understand what happened that night, it helps to know how an ancient olive press worked. In the first century, people put olives in a large stone basin and rolled a heavy millstone over them to crush them into pulp. Then, they packed the pulp into baskets and stacked them under a wooden beam. By hanging heavy stones from the beam, they increased the pressure until oil flowed out.
Crushing olives is like the heavy burdens we sometimes carry, things like responsibilities, work, or even personal struggles that can feel like too much to handle. The olive press teaches us that even when we feel crushed, something good can come from it. This is what Jesus went through on Thursday night. He felt deep sorrow and trouble pressing on Him, much like the weight of the millstone pressing down on Him.
As He faced what was coming, He experienced emotions we all know well, such as doubt, fear, and loneliness. His time in the garden shows us that He understands our hidden fears and invites us to face them, too. He became "sorrowful and troubled" (Matthew 26:37). The weight of the world's sin, the thought of being left by His friends, and the coming suffering pressed on Him like heavy stones. Luke, who was a doctor, describes how intense this was in Luke 22:44 (NKJV), "And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground".
This rare condition is called hematidrosis. It happens only under extreme stress, when tiny blood vessels in the sweat glands break, and blood mixes with sweat. The crushing had started.
Why did this need to happen? In the Old Testament, olive oil was used for three main things:
to give light in the lampstand,
to heal wounds,
and to anoint kings and priests.
But you can’t get oil without crushing the olive first.
Jesus, the Anointed One (Messiah), was being crushed so that the oil of the Holy Spirit could flow to us.
He was crushed so we could shine as the light of the world.
He was crushed so that by His stripes we could be healed.
He was crushed to anoint us and make us a royal priesthood.
The "Bios" life of Jesus was being pressed out so that the "Zoe" life of God could be given to us.
But the most important moment of the night is His prayer in Luke 22:42 (NIV), "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done". This is the heart of the Road to Resurrection prayer. It means letting go of doing things our own way. The first Adam failed in the garden by saying, "My will be done." The second Adam, Jesus, saved us in a garden by saying, "Your will be done." He didn’t argue; He surrendered.
Application: The Gethsemane Prayer
When we fast, we are living out the Gethsemane prayer with our bodies. Each time we say no to our appetite, we are saying, "Not my will."
We all go through our own "olive press" moments, times when life feels like it’s squeezing us. It could be financial problems, a struggling child, a worrying diagnosis, loss of a loved one, or a lost dream. When this happens, our first reaction is often to fight, run away, or become bitter. We wonder, "Why is this happening to me?" But the "Road to Resurrection" calls us to respond differently, by surrendering. Surrender doesn’t mean giving up; it means giving your situation to God. It’s trusting that if God allows the crushing, He wants to bring something good from it. He won’t waste your pain.
To practice surrender, try writing in a journal about what you need to let go of. Talk with a trusted friend or mentor for support. You can also kneel in prayer to show your willingness to surrender. These steps can help you stay committed and engaged.
Today’s Fasting Focus: Surrender
Thursday is a day to practice the prayer of relinquishment.
· The Cup: Identify the "cup" you are trying to push away, like a problem or situation you wish were different.
· The Prayer: Don’t only ask for your situation to change (though it’s okay to ask). Pray mainly for God's will to match yours. Pray, "Lord, I don't like this press. But if this is where You have me, don't allow me to leave until the oil has flowed. Not my will, but Yours be done."
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I am humbled knowing that my Saviour in the Garden was sweating blood for me. Thank You, Jesus, for staying strong. You didn't call twelve legions of angels to save You. You endured the crushing to bring me the oil of gladness. Lord, I give You the problems in my life that feel heavy. I will stop fighting and start believing in You. If I must be pressed, let it bring out Your Spirit in me. Help me say, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Amen.
