Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray With Me”.
In Mark 14, Jesus said to his disciples, “You will all abandon me, but when I rise from the dead, meet me in Galilee” (v. 27).
Peter said, “I won’t abandon you. Even death threats don’t scare me” (v. 29, 31).
Jesus replied, “Whatever! Within 12 hours you’ll disown me. Three times” (v. 30).
In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to keep watch, praying their own prayers while he prayed his. But they fell asleep, not once, nor twice, but three times while Jesus prayed.
Jesus prayer was, “Father, please, don’t let me be tortured to death. But I will follow wherever you lead, even there” (v. 35-36).
Then the police came to arrest Jesus. Or were they vigilantes? Mark calls them “a crowd armed with swords and clubs.” Not exactly a proper arrest, but an extra-judicial kidnapping that spirited Jesus away to a kangaroo trial.
That spirited him away all alone, because all the disciples, even Peter abandoned him.
1. A comment on Peter’s confidence. As Satan said to God about Job, “Job only serves you because you make him rich. Take away his money and his good times, and he’ll curse you to your face” (Job 1:9-11). Peter followed Jesus in the good times: miracles, healings, story-sermons, feasts. How will Peter behave in the bad times?
And what will we, comfortable western Christians, do when bad times come for us?
2. A comment on Peter’s sleepiness. Jesus said, “Watch and pray so you won’t fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (v. 38).
I think I share weak flesh with Peter. Do I pray enough, and at the right times? Should I stay up late to pray? How can I overcome my weak flesh? I am often too tired, too much in love with cozy comfort, too strongly attached to food and sex, too distracted by trivial news and social media.
3. A comment on Jesus’ prayer in the garden. He knew his future held torture and death. What gave him the courage that Peter didn’t have, to face the worst and keep on believing?
Let’s pray.
O father, this story takes us to the edge of human prayer and motivation. Jesus prayed his way into a future full of torture. Peter slept his way into a night full of denial.
Show us where the trajectory of our lives will take us. Are our prayers sufficient to help us through difficulty and temptation? Are our spirits strong enough to overcome the weakness of our flesh?
O father, renew in us the spirit of Jesus, that we may pray with him, and stand with him, and die and live with him.
Amen.
I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.
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