A few weeks ago, I was in the Garden of Gethsemane (well, where it probably was). The location was beautiful, and it was one of the nicest places we went in Jerusalem. It was much quieter than most of the other places; the gardener there let us into an area that most tourists aren’t allowed.

That whole day, I’d had Before the Throne of God Above running through my head. I really don’t know why, other than the fact that it’s an amazing song. The opening verse goes as follows:

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

It continued running through my head as we had an account of Jesus in the Garden read to us. It was really quite striking to have it read, being so close to where Jesus would have been. We don’t picture the location as being pretty, I don’t think. It used to just be a dark place with some trees in my imagination. Here’s part of Mark’s account:

Mark 14:32–36 (ESV)

³² And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³ And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. ³⁴ And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” ³⁵ And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. ³⁶ And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Thinking about verse 36, I started to see all kinds of parallels and contrasts. Jesus had just instituted the Lord’s Supper. His blood of the covenant was about to be poured out so that, partaking of the cup thereof, we could be saved. He was collapsed on the ground now, pleading with the Father that He would not have to drink the cup of God’s wrath. Jesus switched cups with us. He got the cup of the Father’s wrath and we got the cup of His blood, His life.

There’s more, though. Jesus asked for the Father to remove the cup from Him and the Father said no. Jesus died in our place, for our sins. He was buried, then raised three days later. He ascended into heaven and is now at God’s right hand. This is amazing news because now He’s up there pleading, still. He is making intercession for us (cf. Heb 7:25). Any accusation that anyone brings against us, Jesus can say that it has been dealt with. The Father said ‘no’ to the pleas of the Son, then He crushed His Son in my place. Now through Christ He calls me son and I get to call Him ‘Abba’.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,

The King of glory and of grace!
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!