In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Christ experienced incomprehensible suffering as part of His Atonement. This is the first of a two-part lesson about the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane and its doctrinal significance. The purpose of this lesson is to help you better understand what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane and how it was an act of love for you. In the next lesson, you will study the doctrine of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and learn how you can receive strength and help from the Savior.
Reverence for sacred topics. Try to create an atmosphere of reverence, respect, and purpose for each class. When a particularly sacred topic arises, strive to help students maintain an attitude of reverence. Consider playing music and displaying pictures that will contribute to the feeling of reverence. It may also be beneficial to greet the students as they come in and remind them of the sacredness of the topic being discussed.
Student preparation: Invite students to do something that helps them ponder Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Examples could be reviewing a hymn, reflecting on an image of Jesus Christ, reading a scripture passage, or something else.
Possible Learning Activities
This lesson is the first of two lessons about Jesus Christ’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. If there is only time for this content to be taught in one class period, refer to the next lesson (“Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46, Part 2”) for ideas that may need to be incorporated into this lesson.
What has Jesus Christ done for us?
President Dallin H. Oaks shared part of a conversation he had with a member of the Church. Watch the video “What Has Our Savior Done for Us?” from time code 0:00 to 0:34. This video is located on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
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President Dallin H. Oaks
Many years ago, I met a woman who said her friends had asked her to come back to church after many years of inactivity, but she could not think of any reason why she should. To encourage her, I said, “When you consider all of the things the Savior has done for you, you have many reasons to come back to worship and serve Him.” I was astonished when she replied, “What’s He done for me?”
A twisted olive tree in the Garden of Gethsamane in Israel
After the Savior finished the Passover meal, instituted the sacrament, and went to the Mount of Olives to share His final teachings with His Apostles, He went with Peter, James, and John a short distance to the Garden of Gethsemane. The word Gethsemane means “oil press.” Some very significant elements of Jesus Christ’s Atonement occurred in Gethsemane. As you study these events, think about how understanding the Atonement of Jesus Christ can help you recognize and feel God’s love for you.
The following scripture passages describe some of the key events that occurred as part of the Savior’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. Consider copying the following table in your study journal and completing it as you study the verses. Consider also underlining significant words and phrases from these verses in your scriptures.
In addition to reading the verses below, you may also want to watch “The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane” from time code 0:00 to 5:52 (available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org) and imagine witnessing this sacred event.
Consider displaying the following table on the board and asking students to copy it in their study journals. Depending on the needs and abilities of the students, determine whether it would be best to have students complete the table individually, together as a class, or with a partner or small group.
It may also be beneficial to play reverent music and display images of Jesus Christ as students study.
Read the following scripture passages.
What did you learn or feel about Jesus Christ from these verses?
After the students have had sufficient time to study the verses and complete the table, invite them to share what they learned or felt. Give multiple students the opportunity to share their thoughts, feelings, and impressions. The following questions might be helpful to ask as part of the discussion.
What thoughts, feelings, or impressions did you have as you studied these verses?
What were some specific words or phrases from these verses that stood out most to you? Why?
What did these verses help you feel about the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for you?
The cost of God’s precious love
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared how the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane demonstrates His infinite love for us. Watch the video “Abide in My Love” from time code 11:33 to 14:02. This video is available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Let us consider the cost of God’s precious love. Jesus revealed that to atone for our sins and redeem us from death, both physical and spiritual, His suffering caused Himself, “even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that [He] might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink” [Doctrine and Covenants 19:18]. His agony in Gethsemane and on the cross was greater than any mortal could bear. Nevertheless, because of His love for His Father and for us, He endured, and as a consequence, He can offer us both immortality and eternal life.
It is poignantly symbolic that “blood [came] from every pore” [Mosiah 3:7] as Jesus suffered in Gethsemane, the place of the olive press. To produce olive oil in the Savior’s time, olives were first crushed by rolling a large stone over them. The resulting “mash” was placed in soft, loosely woven baskets, which were piled one upon another. Their weight expressed the first and finest oil. Then added stress was applied by placing a large beam or log on top of the stacked baskets, producing more oil. Finally, to draw out the very last drops, the beam was weighted with stones on one end to create the maximum, crushing pressure. And yes, the oil is bloodred as it first flows out.
I think of Matthew’s account of the Savior as He entered Gethsemane that fateful night—that He “began to be sorrowful and very heavy. …
“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” [Matthew 26:37, 39].
Then, as I imagine the distress grew even more severe, He pleaded a second time for relief and, finally, perhaps at the peak of His suffering, a third time. He endured the agony until justice was satisfied to the very last drop. This He did to redeem you and me.
What a precious gift is divine love!
(D. Todd Christofferson, “Abide in My Love,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 51)
What words or phrases from this statement stood out to you?
How does the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane demonstrate His great love for you personally?
President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) testified that the Savior’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, and later on Calvary, “was the greatest single act of love in recorded history” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson [2014], 94).
Invite students to share their responses to the following question and any other thoughts or feelings they want to share about Jesus Christ. Inform the students that they will have opportunities to add to their responses in the coming weeks as they study the other events associated with the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Testify of the truths that have been discussed in this lesson.
What has Jesus Christ done for me?
Commentary and Background Information
What is the significance of Gethsemane?
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lever type olive press close up_0184
President Russell M. Nelson taught:
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President Russell M. Nelson
The word Gethsemane comes from two Hebrew roots: gath, meaning “press,” and shemen, meaning “oil,” especially that of the olive.
There olives had been pressed under the weight of great stone wheels to squeeze precious oil from the olives. So the Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane was literally pressed under the weight of the sins of the world. He sweated great drops of blood—his life’s “oil”—which issued from every pore. …
… Remember, just as the body of the olive, which was pressed for the oil that gave light, so the Savior was pressed. From every pore oozed the lifeblood of our Redeemer. Throughout the joyous days of your mission, when your cup of gladness runs over, remember His cup of bitterness which made it possible. And when sore trials come upon you, remember Gethsemane.
President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency said:
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President Dallin H. Oaks
Under the plan of our Heavenly Father, [Jesus Christ] “created the heavens and the earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:9) so that each of us could have the mortal experience necessary to seek our divine destiny. As part of the Father’s plan, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ overcame death to assure each of us immortality. Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice gives each of us the opportunity to repent of our sins and return clean to our heavenly home. His commandments and covenants show us the way, and His priesthood gives the authority to perform the ordinances that are essential to reach that destiny. And our Savior willingly experienced all mortal pains and infirmities that He would know how to strengthen us in our afflictions.
Jesus Christ did all of this because He loves all of the children of God. Love is the motivation for it all, and it was so from the very beginning.
The following videos could add variety in teaching this lesson about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. All these videos are available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
“Gethsemane” (0:45). One of sixteen short video segments that help us understand New Testament customs.
“Gethsemane” (3:22). A musical montage and sing-along by Melanie Hoffman.
“Chapter 51: Jesus Suffers in the Garden of Gethsemane” (1:46). A simple summary of the events that occurred in Gethsemane.