Daily Bread - Mark 10

Daily Bread 2010 – Mark 14

Gethsemane
32They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33He 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."
35Going 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."
37Then 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? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
39Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41Returning 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. 42Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"


If anyone doubted the human nature of Jesus, they only need to read this passage. If anyone doubted that Jesus literally suffered on the cross, they only need to read this passage. As Jesus faced the night before the cross he knew what lay ahead of him, and asked that if there was another way to accomplish what His Father wanted that He make it known quick.

Meanwhile the very men who were his best friends, were sleeping and not even able to offer him prayer support in his time of greatest need. Although he made it clear to his best friends that he needed help in the biggest way, they could not even stay awake to pray for him. Maybe that was why it was so much more difficult for him. He was obviously struggling quite a bit!

In the end he conceded “the spirit is willing but the body was weak”. In the power of the spirit, he was now ready after having battled the doubts of his human flesh. While the others were sleeping, he was battling Satan, who tried to deter him from his mission. It was only through prayer and crying out to God that He found strength after his strength was gone.

Where are you battling the desires of the flesh? Where do you feel like giving into temptation? Do you have others praying for you? Pray that they don’t fall asleep on the job like Jesus’ friends.

Prayer: God we know our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of this present darkness. Help us to trust in you even in our darkest hours. Thank you for giving us a Savior that knows what we struggle with, as he has gone through the valley of the shadow death on our behalf and can relate to what we go through. In His Name we pray, Amen.

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