Tuesday, March 7, 2006
Mark 14:34-35 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch." He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed . . .
WATCH AND PRAY
The bravado we often mistake for strength of faith shows itself not just in words, but as indicated in what we do. This not only in using the reasons of weakness of flesh for missing the means that gives real strength of faith. This shows itself also in the time given for preparation we often misuse.
Jesus takes the disciples into the garden, confesses to them that He is in agony of soul because of what lay ahead of Him. He bids His disciples to do what? "Watch with Me one hour." This was not the first time that very evening He had encouraged His disciples to watch. Earlier, in His response to Peter and the others of their boast, Jesus encouraged them, "Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Jesus then leads by example. He goes off by Himself to pray -- to watch and pray -- that He Himself does not enter into temptation.
Here we see Jesus faith was not one of bravado. He could have reasoned within Himself, "I am the Son of God and I can handle anything." Instead, Jesus recognizing the great dangers which lay before Him, the hour of darkness, turns in faith to His Father and prays.
Here we view one facet of faith: humility. Recognizing the dangers that lie before us and knowing that of ourselves we are unable to handle even the smallest of temptations. Thus we turn to the Father and place ourselves in His care, under His wings. Those almighty wings, spread over us in the pages of Scripture.
