Word@Work 178 - Mark 14:41-42
Published: Thu, 07/31/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 14:41-42 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 betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" (NIV)
There comes a time, when God will move on, whether or not His people are ready. Jesus had concluded His three sessions of prayer to prepare Him to win through to the final victory: and the disciples had finished their three sessions of sleep, leaving them wide open for spiritual defeat. There was no more time for infinite repeat chances to choose to obey. The dreadful hour of betrayal had come. We may point the finger at Judas, lurking in the bushes, but what about the disciples? They would all let down their Master.
Jesus is prepared for the ordeal to come, but His men were (literally) all over the place. They would run away, and Peter was to dishonour his treasured relationship by a series of spectacular denials. It seems that Jesus was eager to get on with the task ahead ("Rise! Let us go!"). Indeed He knew that the summit of His work was approaching and he had no doubt that He was made for this very hour (cf John 12:27).
Spiritual preparation is essential before every spiritual battle. But the casualness that dresses many believers today is in stark contrast to the earnestness of Jesus in Gethsemane - it is much more like the apathetic attitude of His three key disciples. Who are we most like? If we have lost our vigour for obedience, watchfulness and prayer, we will also loose the next set of spiritual battles!
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for Your great patience with me, but please help me to be properly alert to Your Word and willing to put my best effort into doing what you say. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
There comes a time, when God will move on, whether or not His people are ready. Jesus had concluded His three sessions of prayer to prepare Him to win through to the final victory: and the disciples had finished their three sessions of sleep, leaving them wide open for spiritual defeat. There was no more time for infinite repeat chances to choose to obey. The dreadful hour of betrayal had come. We may point the finger at Judas, lurking in the bushes, but what about the disciples? They would all let down their Master.
Jesus is prepared for the ordeal to come, but His men were (literally) all over the place. They would run away, and Peter was to dishonour his treasured relationship by a series of spectacular denials. It seems that Jesus was eager to get on with the task ahead ("Rise! Let us go!"). Indeed He knew that the summit of His work was approaching and he had no doubt that He was made for this very hour (cf John 12:27).
Spiritual preparation is essential before every spiritual battle. But the casualness that dresses many believers today is in stark contrast to the earnestness of Jesus in Gethsemane - it is much more like the apathetic attitude of His three key disciples. Who are we most like? If we have lost our vigour for obedience, watchfulness and prayer, we will also loose the next set of spiritual battles!
Prayer: Father God. Thank You for Your great patience with me, but please help me to be properly alert to Your Word and willing to put my best effort into doing what you say. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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