Today, I was reading in Mark about Jesus praying in Gethsemane and his subsequent arrest. It’s a story that I have read a million times; one I thought I knew well. But isn’t it just like God to show us something new when we are sincerely seeking him? As I reviewed these verses today and rolled them around in my brain, I kept coming back to verse 40. 'And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.’ This is the most relatable verse in the Bible to me right now.
I can just imagine how the disciples were feeling. It’s late. It’s dark. They’re exhausted. Following Jesus, spreading his gospel, then a good meal. They probably had full stomachs and were ready to sleep, I know that’s about what happens to me after dinner and finally getting the kids in bed. Man am I tired. My eyes are usually really heavy, and I don’t know what to say to God. I can barely keep my eyes open, let alone form coherent thoughts.
Jesus went back to pray one more time after this and when he returned they were all sleeping again. I kind of imagine that he rolls his eyes now. "Are you still sleeping and resting?” he says. “It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!" And then Judas. Sigh. That kiss. And after the kiss, the arrest.
Then we see verse 50. Oh, verse 50. “And they all left him, and fled.” They. All. Left. Luke’s telling of this same time period recorded that Jesus commended this group for sticking with him just previous to this. And now… When they really should have stayed, when it really could have made a difference, they left. Matthew Henry’s commentary on this verse really made me think. He points out that Jesus was abused, and they could have protected him. He was accused, they could have stood as witnesses for him. Would it have changed anything? Probably not, hopefully not. But they could have tried! Henry also charges us to not think it strange if we are also so deserted. Why should we expect to be better than Christ.
I’ve been doing my best to not leave anything but the actual recording of my reflections until evening. Starting the day with reading God’s word has been awesome. And then digging deeper throughout the day definitely keeps my mind more focused on things that are pure and praiseworthy. I still find myself with terribly heavy eyes by the end of the night. Some nights it’s all I can do to get my thoughts recorded, but I am loving knowing that I’ve been dwelling on these things all day. I am doing my best to make sure that I am able to stay awake more than I fall asleep. And I am working on being more aware of times when I should be standing for Christ. How many times a day do we miss places that we should be speaking up? And then, I know I’ve touched on this before, but why wouldn’t we be deserted, too? So let me stand for Christ in a bold way, willing to walk alone when necessary to continue proclaiming the word of God until he comes back.
I can just imagine how the disciples were feeling. It’s late. It’s dark. They’re exhausted. Following Jesus, spreading his gospel, then a good meal. They probably had full stomachs and were ready to sleep, I know that’s about what happens to me after dinner and finally getting the kids in bed. Man am I tired. My eyes are usually really heavy, and I don’t know what to say to God. I can barely keep my eyes open, let alone form coherent thoughts.
Jesus went back to pray one more time after this and when he returned they were all sleeping again. I kind of imagine that he rolls his eyes now. "Are you still sleeping and resting?” he says. “It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!" And then Judas. Sigh. That kiss. And after the kiss, the arrest.
Then we see verse 50. Oh, verse 50. “And they all left him, and fled.” They. All. Left. Luke’s telling of this same time period recorded that Jesus commended this group for sticking with him just previous to this. And now… When they really should have stayed, when it really could have made a difference, they left. Matthew Henry’s commentary on this verse really made me think. He points out that Jesus was abused, and they could have protected him. He was accused, they could have stood as witnesses for him. Would it have changed anything? Probably not, hopefully not. But they could have tried! Henry also charges us to not think it strange if we are also so deserted. Why should we expect to be better than Christ.
I’ve been doing my best to not leave anything but the actual recording of my reflections until evening. Starting the day with reading God’s word has been awesome. And then digging deeper throughout the day definitely keeps my mind more focused on things that are pure and praiseworthy. I still find myself with terribly heavy eyes by the end of the night. Some nights it’s all I can do to get my thoughts recorded, but I am loving knowing that I’ve been dwelling on these things all day. I am doing my best to make sure that I am able to stay awake more than I fall asleep. And I am working on being more aware of times when I should be standing for Christ. How many times a day do we miss places that we should be speaking up? And then, I know I’ve touched on this before, but why wouldn’t we be deserted, too? So let me stand for Christ in a bold way, willing to walk alone when necessary to continue proclaiming the word of God until he comes back.