Saturday, June 22, 2013

Mark 14:32-42 comments: Sleepy Christians


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.

 

Many times you also will be alone in your service to Christ.

 

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.

 

He prays by Himself and there is no answer from heaven. When was there a time when you prayed and felt that heaven was “so far away” as in the pop song? He asked, if it were possible, that He might not have to endure this in His humanity.

 

It’s not just death for He is about to take on the sins of the whole world. However, death for His human body was a factor.

 

Hebrews 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

 

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.

 

The essence of successful and correct prayer is to submit to God’s perfect will, no matter how painful it is to us.

 

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.

 

Be spiritually alert to keep from falling into temptation. We need to pray before we sin in order to keep from falling into sin.

 

Job 31:1  I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

 

James 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 ¶  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16  Do not err, my beloved brethren.

 

1Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

I have failed miserably in all of this. That doesn’t make it not true.

 

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.

 

Christians are often spiritually asleep when evil comes their way. They are easily lulled into slumber about the dangers of  popular media if music or a movie has something good to say about Christ or God. They are easily lulled into a deep sleep if the government talks about things like patriotism and duty. They are easily lulled into a comatose condition about the dangers of heresies like Mormonism if a demagogue on the radio complains loudly about some political figure they dislike all the while slowly drawing them into his heresy. Line upon line, precept upon precept, Satan teaches sleepy Christians how to turn from Christ. Eventually they will let him close enough to devour them.

 
Jesus is going to confront his betrayer and the arresting agents.

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