Day 18 of Journey through Mark: POWER THROUGH PRAYER

COMMENTARY A recurring theme we’ve seen in the book of Mark has been Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. Story after story demonstrates that the God of Israel has now appeared as the person of Jesus. This theme rises to a crescendo in today’s reading when Jesus makes His first public claim about His divinity (Mark 14:62). While Mark wants us to understand that Jesus was fully God, He also wants us to see that He was also fully human. No story expresses His humanity more poignantly than the first episode we read today. Mark 14:32-41 describes Jesus’ raw moments of anguish as He waits with Peter, James, and John for His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here, Jesus is described as “deeply distressed and troubled.” He admits to being “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34). Earlier, Jesus confidently told James and John that they would drink from a “cup” of suffering with Him (Mark 10:38). Now in their presence, He falls to the ground and pleads God to take this “cup” from Him (Mark 14:36). This is a degree of psychological distress that we are unaccustomed to seeing in Jesus. One reason why Mark might have included this vivid story could be that it shows us that Jesus had a full human experience. He suffered in every way, not just externally but also internally. By enduring the onslaught of sin in all its forms, He became for us a perfect and sympathetic Savior (Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15; 5:7-10). Another reason why we might have this story is that Jesus shows us how to persevere when we suffer for following Him. Jesus finds His inner resolve by praying to the Father three separate times. In contrast, Peter falls asleep three times instead of praying as Jesus asks, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Mark 14:38). It’s noteworthy that at the end of today’s reading, Peter, in his own time of temptation, disowns Jesus three times (Mark 14:66-72). Jesus’ example, therefore, illustrates the power we can receive from God through prayer. God may not always give us exactly what we want for ourselves, but if we turn to Him, God offers the peace and power to persevere. SCRIPTURE MARK 14:32–72 GETHSEMANE 32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 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 delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” JESUS ARRESTED 43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled. 51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. JESUS BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN 53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’ ” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him. PETER DISOWNS JESUS 66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or under- stand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. REFLECTION 1. Mark 14:47 says, “Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.” This reaction reflects another misunderstanding about what Jesus was trying to accomplish as the Messiah. He wasn’t “leading a rebellion” (Mark 14:48). He was establishing a fundamentally different type of kingdom. This raises the question for us; is it ever appropriate for us to strike at someone like this? Why? 2. How do Jesus’ prayers in the garden help nuance His earlier teaching: “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24)? In what situation do you need to echo Jesus’ words, “Not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36)?