By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
WILLING
Mark 14:32–42
Distressed (32–34)
Jesus knew that He was going to be crucified. His disciples, however, did not understand this. They were following their leader, not fully grasping the sacrifice He was going to make on behalf of all mankind.
Jesus took with Him His closest three disciples — Peter, James and John — who had been with Him by themselves before at the transfiguration. Jesus wanted support while He was praying.
As Christians, we need close Christian friends we can trust and lean on in times of both joy and sadness. The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. We need to be part of a community of believers, being active in the lives of others so they can encourage and convict us. This is one way we are sanctified.
Surrendered (35–36)
Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow so He prayed to the Father, asking Him to stop the upcoming crucifixion. Jesus was fully man and fully God and would therefore feel physical pain on the cross as any other man would. He would also face the weight of the sin of mankind, which was far more foreboding.
Our sins were poured out on the only sinless person who has lived. Jesus had to bear God the Father’s wrath on our behalf. (See 2 Cor. 5:21, Isa. 53, John 1:29, Heb. 9:28 and 1 Pet. 2:24).
In the midst of this trial, though, Jesus prayed not that His own will be done, but the will of the Father. This is a good lesson for us to learn and apply. Many Christians believe that God will give them whatever they ask for — money, health and more. However, God gives us what is best for us, even if it doesn’t feel like it to us.
We are told that we need to ask according to God’s will and that is the rub (1 John 5:14). We can ask God whatever we wish, but we will only receive that which is in accordance with God’s will. This should give us confidence that when we pray, God will give us what is best for us.
Weak (37–42)
The disciples were not able to stay awake because of their tiredness. They did not understand what was about to happen. If they did, they may have chosen a different course of action. Regardless, it shows the frailty of humans in that even when we are doing something spiritually beneficial, we do not always carry it out successfully. In spite of this, Jesus did not condemn them for their inability to stay awake.
Instead of fearing God’s disappointment or anger, we should be resolved to repent and accept God’s forgiveness. One of the most disabling things for a Christian is to not accept the grace of God in the forgiveness of our sins.
We are often convicted for our sins, which is a necessary part of sanctification, but the repentance and then acceptance of God’s forgiveness is just as crucial.
When we realize we serve a loving God who wants our best, we can gladly accept the payment for our sins that Christ brings about and follow God in the victory already established by Jesus on the cross.
Share with others: