Mark 14:32–42 (ESV)
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
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.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time
and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Today’s reading shows Jesus at one of the most troubling times in his life here on Earth. He knows he is about to die, yet he would like to not have to go through it. He knows what lies ahead. He also knows the significance of
what he has to do. You see his troubled heart (human nature) when he says: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” His will in his human nature wants the Father
to rescue him, yet his divine nature wants to do the Father’s will... and God’s will prevails. Meanwhile, his disciples can’t stay awake, but keep sleeping through Jesus’ troubled prayer in the Garden. Jesus gets his answer
and responds to his sleeping disciples: “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
I remember driving to my Uncles funeral in Ruston, LA, and I was so sleepy from long hours. I was afraid I was not going to make it because I was so tired. I finally pulled over at a rest area on I-20 and took a
nap for about an hour. The hour flew by, but it was enough for me to make it into Ruston for the funeral. I was so afraid I would miss it. Have you ever been so tired that you couldn’t keep your eyes open, even if Jesus himself asked
you too? I have been there, done that, got the T-shirt.
I pray: O Lord, I give thanks that you are a forgiving Lord, that when you are troubled... the disciples were asleep. You forgave them
and you have forgiven me when I’m sleeping... whether physical, mental, or spiritual. Amen.