The Gospel of Mark: Gethsemane

They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.” ~ Mark 14:32-42


For much of the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus trying to go off to pray, while his disciples, like eager puppies, drag him away so he can heal and teach some more. There seems to be this never-ending dance of Jesus trying, but failing, to get alone time.

But now he is most definitely alone. The most alone one can be.

Now the disciples aren't dragging him away. They are sleeping, while he waits for others to drag him away.

His prayer is sorrowful. We are told he is distressed, agitated, grieved...

The one who we are used to seeing in such control is suffering deeply.

And doing it alone.

The thing that is the most poignant to me in this gospel is this: Jesus has never been alone since the beginning. He's had throngs of crowds following him everywhere. He's had disciples at his heels wherever he went.

But now at the end, at the moment when he prepares to come into the kind of glory no one would expect, he does it alone. The crowds have gone. The disciples will soon desert him.

From this point on, it will be only his journey. 

Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen


Engagement Questions:


What does Jesus' prayer mean to you? Does it make you feel close to him to know that he understands the kind of prayers you pray when you are in distress?



 

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