Mark 14:32-42
Jesus
Prays and Agonizes in the
Garden
( Easter
Story )
14:27
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus
said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."
33
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and
he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
34
"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of
death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep
watch."
35
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and
prayed that if possible the hour might pass from
him.
36
"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible
for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I
will, but what you will."
37
Then he returned to his disciples and found them
sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you
asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?
38
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into
temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is
weak."
39
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
40
When he came back, he again found them sleeping,
because their eyes were heavy. They did not know
what to say to him.
41
Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you
still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has
come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the
hands of sinners.
42
Rise! Let us go! Here comes my
betrayer!"
-
This
is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to
change the way that we think, and the way that
we live.
Commentary
by Bob Pardue
Christ Prays to God in
the Garden Of Gethsemane
This passage gives deep
insight into the fear and dread Jesus felt that
night in the garden.
He knew that He would have to
be separated from God to take on the sins of
mankind. And, Jesus knew of the terrible and
unimaginable torture and death that awaited
him.
What would you do (or I for
that matter) if you were in this
situation?
Jesus was strong enough to
say, "Yet not what I will, but what you
will." God's will was
first and foremost in Christ's life no matter what
the cost.
God doesn't ask everyone to
die for Him. But, I am reminded of Abdul Rahman a
while back in the news from Afghanistan who faced
the death penalty for converting from Islam to
Christianity.
Even with all the threats of
torture and death, Abdul stood his ground. All he
had to do was renounce his belief in Christ and he
would go free.
I don't know how I would
respond in a situation such as this. I would hope
that my faith would be strong enough but I can't
say for sure. This would be a horrible decision to
make.
Our best hope in any
situation where we are tested and led into
temptation is to follow Jesus' example in the
garden by praying, finding support of friends and
loved ones, and focusing on God's purpose in our
lives.
What are we willing to do
for God? -- What did Jesus do for
us?
One addition: I have been
burdened in the past by some family situations and
found great strength by reading about David in the
third Psalm. If you have troubles see how David
prayed to God for help.
-
Love in Christ
- Bob
If you have never made the
commitment to receive the love and life-changing
experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to
go
here and take the
first
steps to salvation.
Verses are from Life Application Study
Bible: New International Version
|
