Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Pressed




Yesterday I talked about Gethsemane in my post, so imagine my surprise to hear Pastor Joseph Prince talking about it today on T.V. Gethsemane means olive press, and it was where Jesus was pressed for us. The Israelites will tell you that the first pressing produces oil used to light the temples, the second press is used for medicine, and the third is for soaps. And like the first press, Jesus brought us out of the darkness and into the light. Like the second press, Jesus is our medicine because by his stripes we are healed.. and of course the third press, cleansing. He cleansed us. Being pressed can bring forth wonderful things.


"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Cor. 4:8

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

One of my favorite verses Ginny. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Regina said...

I love that verse..and "We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body" Its like a paradox..we come to Christ- our life..yet His life must come from our dying?
and it speaks so much of the press to me..the olive leaf is supposed to be very good for you too. I agree- it can bring forth wonderful things, but we still resist!
What a wild header..it just stood out with all those colors!

SquirrelQueen said...

Ginny, the olives make a great header. The olive bar looks delicious, one of our local store has one similar. Great post.

Neal said...

That's a wild looking header. :)

srp said...

This is a great verse! And those olives in the header... let's just say they look good enough to make me run down to the grocery store here and get some.

Fred Alton said...

Oil. That's what keeps the lamp burning in our lives. The oil of the Holy Spirit. BTW I love the new header picture! Great shot.

Nature Rambles said...

So interesting, Ginny. Love your photos, especially your header, and the verse as well!

MadSnapper said...

when the header came up, i thought stunning but what is it, not beans, never thought of olives, they are very small. the photo is super and i love the spoon. i did not know about the olive oil and the three different strengths. you did a wonderful job of comparing it to Jesus, as you always do. i am headed back to stare at the header....

pam said...

I've never heard about the 3 different pressings...now I'm wanting to make a run to the city to hit up the Olive Oil store...yup a whole store dedicated to Olive Oils and Vinegars...it is AMAZING.

Reanaclaire said...

hey..what a lovely header you have today, Ginny! Do carry on posting up verses from the Bible.... i love that!

Chatty Crone said...

I really loved that story and information - I didn't know that is what it meant at all - but it sure does explain why.

Thank you. Do you do research for this - whew.

Sandie

Mary Bergfeld said...

What wonderful thoughts to ponder, Ginny. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

LC said...

Thanks for new dimensions about Gethsemane and even the word "press." Now when I hear someone say some matter or issue is "pressing," I will think of how the Father's love is pressing us forward into the full understanding and acceptance of his grace through Jesus. Great post!

Deborah said...

That is nice verse~
My mother was in the hospital all day and half the night yesterday again, she is STILL having difficulties after her fall. So they gave her an IV and now she sounds better today. All her blood work and xrays came back fine too. Scary..
We got another 12 inches of snow last night! Crazy weather in New England!!

Together We Save said...

Thanks for sharing!! Hope all is well with you.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, What a nicely put post! I think that the Scripture is perfect as are the graphics. Yes, pressing does yield the best. Have a great day!

Annie Jeffries said...

Love this, Ginny. I had no idea of the layers of meaning. This is a keeper.

DawnTreader said...

I never heard that explanation of the name Gethsemane before! I think I knew that there were olive trees in that garden but never heard anyone talk about the pressing of olives in connection with it. Interesting.
PS. Hey - I recognize that background you're using for your blog today ;)

Anonymous said...

Gethsemane means olive press. I learned something new today. Thank you Ginny :-)

~Ron

Remington said...

Great post....yes, sometimes being pressed is good....

Glenda said...

I really needed to be reminded of that Scripture today, Ginny. Another version comes to my mind: "cast down, but not destroyed." So, no matter what is pressing down on us, we can trust Him to see us through!

Ann said...

I'm not a big fan of olives, never could stand the taste of them but I am a fan of yours and how you manage to put these posts together.
What a coincidence that was hearing the pastor talking about that today. Love that verse at the end.

S. Etole said...

wishing I had an olive!!!!!

Stephanie V said...

Yum! Olives - lots and lots of olives.

LV said...

I really enjoyed your post today. Filled with so many inspiring words and thoughts. Blessings to you.

Karin said...

I absolutely love this picture story of Gethsemane!!

Joyful said...

Wonderful post! I love the way your border matches your header in your new design also.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

This speaks to me, Thanks for sharing this verse. I will remember this.

George said...

What a wonderful devotional you've given us. Thank you.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Well--by being late, I missed out on the header... Oh Well.... Interesting post, Ginny, about the olive press...

Hugs,
Betsy

Dawning Inspiration said...

Thanks for the lesson today... loved it!

ruthi said...

oh wow... what a wonderful analogy of the "olive" and Jesus love for us. Nice photos too.

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