ZPCBlog

Mark 14:32-42 (NIV)

32 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.”

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

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 delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Devotional

Lent is a period that lends itself to contemplation. Today, we know where this story is headed. All the way to the end, and yet really just the beginning, or new beginning. For the disciples, all of this was new information. No rehearsal. It was live. Jesus knows what is coming, and for comfort he heads to a familiar place, an olive garden. A place for him to get away from the crowds, commune with his disciples and to pray, many times, alone. Gethsemane means "the oil press." A possible hint to what Christ's life will be like in the coming days. He is very literally feeling the pressure of the sins of mankind as his burden alone. 

Exemplified by the actions of Peter, James, and John, are the actions of mankind; unknowing, disengaged, and unresponsive. Jesus, asking the three to keep watch for only an hour so he could pray in peace is let down three times before losing his temper. A reaction any parent can relate to, trying to get out the door to an important event. His final words, similarly, "let's go..."

I love the tactile nature of the Bible. Its familiarity. We are given concrete images to relate to in the olive garden and oil press. Likewise, we are given scenarios we can empathize with, the frustration experienced during trying times in our lives. Out of our comprehension, however, is the pressure Christ felt under the weight of the sins of all mankind. My worst day has to be infinitely smaller than this burden. But I'll complain about it just the same.

Prayer

Lord,
You know our hearts and the burdens we carry. Help us to recognize your power to relieve us of these burdens to you. You alone can take these, large or small, intimate or familiar, and enduring or passing and grant us the same peace you granted your son. Like the disciples, we fail to recognize the urgency of time passing, ever closer to your return. Grant us the wisdom to be mindful of your presence and keep watch for those things which work against your kingdom.
In your name.
Amen.