11.3 Gethsemane
The Cup of Suffering: Jesus’ Prayer and Acceptance of the Divine Will

Read Mark 14:32–42. What did Jesus pray in Gethsemane, and how was the prayer answered?

In Mark 14:32–42, we see Jesus in one of the most crucial and difficult moments of his earthly life – in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here, his human side is revealed in a deeply empathetic and understandable way. He is in extreme spiritual anguish as he faces the impending suffering and prays fervently that the cup of suffering be taken from him. Yet, through his words, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me! Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36), he demonstrates his complete submission and surrender to the will of God.

Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane represents an inner struggle between the natural human desire to avoid suffering and the willingness to submit to the divine plan. The use of the term “Abba” – an intimate form of addressing the Father – emphasizes the closeness between Jesus and God. Even though God seemingly answers Jesus’ prayer with a “no,” the prayer reveals the deep relationship and trust Jesus has in his Father’s plan.

God does not take the cup of suffering from Jesus, as it is through this path of suffering and crucifixion that the salvation of humanity becomes possible. Jesus accepts this divine plan, even though it brings him unimaginable pain and a sense of abandonment.

A particularly painful aspect of Gethsemane is the loneliness Jesus must endure. Three times he returns to his closest disciples – Peter, James, and John – hoping to find comfort and support. But three times he finds them asleep. This reinforces the sense of isolation that Jesus experiences in this hour of trial. While he is spiritually and physically prepared to bear the burden of the world’s sin, his disciples are not ready to share this load. They are physically present but spiritually and emotionally absent.

This scene also teaches us important lessons about prayer and community. Jesus prayed to God in his deepest distress, and although the answer was not what he wished, it was the prayer that gave him the strength to fulfill God’s will. Similarly, we are reminded of the importance of human support in difficult times. Although the disciples failed, this moment shows that Jesus longed for human companionship and comfort – something we all seek in times of trouble.

In the end, it is Jesus who wakes his disciples and calls them to face the coming trial. While he is now fully ready to bear the cross, his disciples are not. This contrast between his spiritual strength and their weakness serves as a reminder of our own shortcomings and the need to constantly align ourselves with God’s will.

The events in Gethsemane and Jesus’ prayer have a deep connection to our daily lives and faith. They teach us several key lessons that relate to both our relationship with God and our approach to difficulties and challenges in everyday life.

1. Prayer and Trust in God: Jesus prayed in his greatest need. His prayer in Gethsemane shows that it is okay to lay our fears, worries, and desires before God. Even when the answers to our prayers are not what we want, we can trust that God’s plan is greater and that he gives us the strength to handle it. In everyday life, we often find ourselves in situations where we feel overwhelmed. In these moments, Gethsemane reminds us to seek refuge in prayer and trust in God’s will, even when we don’t fully understand it.

2. Submission to God’s Will: One of the greatest lessons from Gethsemane is Jesus’ surrender to the Father’s will. He is willing to follow God’s plan, even though it means suffering and death. In our daily lives, we often try to impose our own will and shape things according to our desires. Gethsemane teaches us that true submission to God means letting go of our own wishes and trusting that his plan is best for us.

3. Loneliness and Human Weakness: Jesus’ experience of loneliness and his disappointment with his sleeping disciples often mirrors our own experiences. We long for support and sometimes feel alone, especially in difficult times. Gethsemane shows us that even Jesus knew this isolation. At the same time, it reminds us that as believers, we should stand by each other in difficult times. In daily life, we can learn from Jesus’ patience, even when people disappoint us or do not provide the comfort we hope for.

4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will support those who are persecuted or oppressed. This gives us hope and comfort because we are not alone in our struggles. The Holy Spirit works within us, providing the wisdom and strength needed to overcome life’s challenges. This applies to our daily lives, where we often feel overwhelmed or uncertain. In such moments, we can trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

5. Perseverance in Difficult Times: In Gethsemane, Jesus demonstrates extraordinary endurance and a willingness to face even the greatest trial. This serves as a model for us to persevere in times of suffering and trials. Jesus’ example encourages us not to give up in our own difficult situations but to walk the path that God has prepared for us with patience and trust.

In summary, Gethsemane reminds us that the Christian life is not always easy and is often accompanied by difficulties. Yet, in these moments of distress and suffering, we can, like Jesus, find refuge in prayer, submit to God’s will, and be strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

In trusting God’s will, we find the strength to endure even the hardest trials of life.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-11-taken-and-tried-11-3-gethsemane-the-book-of-mark-living-faith/

September 10, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Mark Chapter 14

¹ After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

² But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

³ And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

⁴ And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

⁵ For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

⁶ And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

⁷ For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

⁸ She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

⁹ Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

¹⁰ And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

¹¹ And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

¹² And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

¹³ And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

¹⁴ And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

¹⁵ And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

¹⁶ And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

¹⁷ And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

¹⁸ And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

¹⁹ And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

²⁰ And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

²¹ The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

²² And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

²³ And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

²⁴ And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

²⁵ Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

²⁶ And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

²⁷ And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

²⁸ But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

²⁹ But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

³⁰ And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

³¹ But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

³² And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

³³ And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

³⁴ And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

³⁵ And he went forward a little, and 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 unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

³⁷ And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

³⁸ Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

³⁹ And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

⁴⁰ And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

⁴¹ And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

⁴² Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

⁴³ And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

⁴⁴ And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

⁴⁵ And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

⁴⁶ And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

⁴⁷ And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

⁴⁸ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

⁴⁹ I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

⁵⁰ And they all forsook him, and fled.

⁵¹ And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

⁵² And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

⁵³ And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

⁵⁴ And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

⁵⁵ And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

⁵⁶ For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

⁵⁷ And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

⁵⁸ We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

⁵⁹ But neither so did their witness agree together.

⁶⁰ And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

⁶¹ But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

⁶² And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

⁶³ Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

⁶⁴ Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

⁶⁵ And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

⁶⁶ And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

⁶⁷ And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

⁶⁸ But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

⁶⁹ And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

⁷⁰ And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

⁷¹ But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

⁷² And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

Mark chapter 14 represents one of the most dramatic sections of the Gospel, where the final hours of Jesus before His crucifixion are described. The chapter covers significant events such as the betrayal by Judas, the Last Supper, the prayer in Gethsemane, the arrest of Jesus, the trial before the Sanhedrin, and finally, Peter’s denial. These passages shed light on the deep human tragedy, but also on the fulfillment of God’s plan for the redemption of humanity. In every moment, there is tension between divine providence and human failure, yet Jesus’ unwavering devotion to the will of His Father remains central.

Commentary

The chapter begins with the plans of the chief priests and scribes to arrest and kill Jesus. These sinister intentions illustrate the tension that had been building between Jesus and the religious elite. Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, becomes the instrument of this betrayal, representing the sorrowful climax of mistrust and rejection.

The anointing of Jesus in Bethany (verses 3-9) brings an unexpected turn. While some consider the woman’s act of pouring expensive nard oil on Jesus’ head as wasteful, Jesus views it as a prophetic gesture—a preparation for His burial. This event demonstrates the love and devotion surrounding Jesus, in contrast to the growing hostility against Him.

The Last Supper is a central moment in Mark 14 (verses 12-25), where Jesus shares bread and wine with His disciples, symbolizing His impending sacrifice. This scene is not only a celebration of the Passover but also the establishment of the new covenant through Jesus’ death. The betrayal by Judas is also revealed here, heightening the tension and foreshadowing the approaching disaster.

The prayer in Gethsemane (verses 32-42) shows Jesus in deep spiritual anguish as He submits to His Father’s will. This passage reveals both Jesus’ humanity and His divine resolve. The disciples, however, repeatedly fall asleep, symbolizing the weakness of the human spirit in the face of great trials. Jesus prays, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you; take this cup from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will!” – a profound demonstration of His complete obedience.

The subsequent arrest of Jesus (verses 43-52) and the trial before the Sanhedrin (verses 53-65) expose the harshness of the religious leaders and their willingness to condemn the innocent. While Jesus remains silent and accepts His condemnation, Peter’s denial (verses 66-72) reveals the fragility of the human character, even among those closest to Him. Peter’s threefold denial, followed by bitter tears of repentance, illustrates the profound tension between human weakness and divine forgiveness.

Summary

Mark chapter 14 narrates the final critical moments in Jesus’ life, from the planning of His betrayal to Peter’s denial. It covers central events such as the Last Supper, the prayer in Gethsemane, and the trial before the Sanhedrin, marking the climax of the Gospel. Each of these events demonstrates the tension between divine providence and human failure, yet divine redemption remains at the center. Jesus submits to the Father’s will as He prepares for His impending death. The chapter reminds us of the fragility of the human spirit, but also of the boundless love and forgiveness revealed through Jesus’ sacrifice.

 

 

 

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/10-09-2024-mark-chapter-14-believe-his-prophets/