24.196 | WATCH AND PRAY | Mark

God’s Word for Today
15 Aug, 2024
37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Mark 14:37-42 ESV
WATCH AND PRAY
As Jesus was praying in agony at the garden of Gethsemane, Peter, James and John were nearby. Jesus told them he was sorrowful and that they should remain and watch. They must be a bit tired physically. They have just finished the long, leisurely Passover meal with its accompanying cups of wine plus an evening walk to the garden of Gethsemane.
“To watch” specifically means to pay special attention at all times so that you can avoid or prevent a catastrophic tragedy. Jesus mentions specifically that they should pray to avoid entering into temptation at that moment.[v.38] Beyond scattering and abandoning Jesus, there are other temptations the disciples can fall into. They can fall into despair, which they did. They can fear the Jewish leaders more than they trust God (John 20:19). They can reject the news of Jesus' resurrection (Luke 24:10-11) as vehemently as they denied the prophecies of His death (see Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:32-34).
Sadly, the three fell asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? This happened for three times. We recall that Jesus has already prophesied that Peter will deny that he knows Jesus (see v. 26-31). Jesus was proven right. They did not want these to happen. His diagnosis is that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Man is hopeless without the Spirit in praying.[Rom8:26] Without the work of the Holy Spirit, who gives us a new nature, the three disciples could not obey Jesus' admonition to watch and pray against temptation.
When we are praying, we are in a spiritual battle against the enemy. We must be alert and not be ignorant about the devil’s devices. He is like a prowling lion so that we need to be in constant communion with God. Peter admonished us, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” [1 Pet 5:7,8]
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