Jesus Began to Feel Despair
And anxiety. And sadness.
Mark 14:32-52
Jesus in Gethsemane always paints a descriptive picture. Mark spares no words to tell us what he was like the night of his betrayal and arrest.
Christians know well the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross - the physical pain and death. And we should know it well.
But we can’t miss the emotional, personal, and mental anguish he went through on the journey to the cross.
Despair.
Anxiety.
Sadness.
He begged God the Father that he might not have to experience these things.
These things included all sorts of deep, human emotion.
Yes, yes…he said, “…but not what I want. Your will be done.”
That is his example to us.
But his solidarity with us was in his suffering.
There are times when we have to do something very difficult. It is not fun. It will hurt. It may mean that others get angry with us, turn their backs on us, or completely misunderstand us.
But difficult results do not automatically mean we are doing the wrong thing.
Jesus was doing the right thing. And it came with difficulty.
Stand strong or fall weak, but know the Lord is with you in all of it.
Mark 14:32-52
Jesus and his disciples came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John along with him. He began to feel despair and was anxious. He said to them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert.” Then he went a short distance farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if possible, he might be spared the time of suffering. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible. Take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want.”
He came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you stay alert for one hour? Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.”
Again, he left them and prayed, repeating the same words. And, again, when he came back, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open, and they didn’t know how to respond to him. He came a third time and said to them, “Will you sleep and rest all night? That’s enough! The time has come for the Human One to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let’s go! Look, here comes my betrayer.”
Suddenly, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came with a mob carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent by the chief priests, legal experts, and elders. His betrayer had given them a sign: “Arrest the man I kiss, and take him away under guard.”
As soon as he got there, Judas said to Jesus, “Rabbi!” Then he kissed him. Then they came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
One of the bystanders drew a sword and struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his ear. Jesus responded, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, like an outlaw? Day after day, I was with you, teaching in the temple, but you didn’t arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” And all his disciples left him and ran away. One young man, a disciple, was wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They grabbed him, but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.
Prayer
God,
Thank you yet again for the example of Jesus, who precedes all of us alive today in the things of human difficulty. Help us to stand firm amidst the desire to abandon it all or avoid it all. Give us courage for the journey.
So help us, God.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.