Jesus in Gethsamane Looking at Mark 14 Looking

Jesus in Gethsamane Looking at Mark 14 Looking at Mark's Gospel 1

“A place called Gethsemane” (Mark 14: 32 -36) They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray. " l He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, " he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch. " l Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father, " he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will. " l Looking at Mark's Gospel 2

1. Notice the place l “Gethsemane” means “olive press”. Its where the precious oil is extracted through a process of intense pressure. l Maybe you are in that place. The result is sweet but the process is painful. Looking at Mark's Gospel 3

2. Notice the humanity of Jesus l He “took Peter, James and John with him”: Jesus wanted his close friends with him. He desired their support even if they didn’t understand. l Jesus “began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ” He was not exempt from human fear and anxiety. Looking at Mark's Gospel 4

3. Notice the prayer l “He prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him…Take this cup from me” l If Jesus prayed this, then so can you. You have a right to ask, knowing that “everything is possible” for Abba Father. l Sometimes God takes the cup away Looking at Mark's Gospel 5

4. But notice, more than anything else, the submission l “Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will but what you will. ” l You cannot measure the “success” of a prayer by the granting of its petition. l Sometimes our prayers go inwards and change us… not the circumstances Looking at Mark's Gospel 6

What if that were not so? l What if God just gave us all we asked? – Spoilt children – “Not your will but mine be done”? l Jesus’ request was denied – “You WILL drink the cup” l Remember Daniel’s friends? (Daniel 3): “Our God is able to deliver us, but if not we still will not bow down to the golden image” – They believed that God could save them from anything but their loyalty was not contingent on their rescue Looking at Mark's Gospel 7

A prayer from Eugene Peterson: l The relationship that I have with you, Almighty God, means more to me than anything else. l Let nothing this day diminish my trust or divert my obedience. l In every test, keep me true, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen Looking at Mark's Gospel 8