The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38b
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. Today, my focus is per the commentary, the second division of the text from Mark 14:26-52 - vv32-42.
- Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv32-42: (1) God in the text: Jesus prays (vv32, 35, 36, 39) and he encourages Peter to pray (v38); He is greatly distressed, troubled and sorrowful (vv33, 34) "even to death" and He fell on the ground as a result of his emotions that brought Him to a point of obvious significant turmoil; He admonishes the disciples for falling asleep and not watching as He instructed them - alluding to how we are to be alert and not fall into temptation (v38); (2) people in the text: disciples fail to heed Jesus' instructions to watch and pray; (vv37, 40, 41); (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: We should obey Jesus' words to watch and pray v38 as "[t]he spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
- The title of the second division (vv32-42) per the commentary is "The King Would Agonize over His Passion Alone."
- "This is the third and final time Mark records our Lord praying alone (cf. 1:35; 6:46). Each occasion was a time of significant importance, but none more than this one."
- "In spite of the exceptional trauma of the moment and the certain future that lay ahead, He trusted in God as His loving Father and in His will. What’s more, the “cup” that He prayed might be removed was not the physical pain He would endure endure on the cross. Indeed many Christian martyrs have gone to their death with thanksgiving and joy with no evidence whatsoever that they wished to avoid the hour of their martyrdom. No, the cup that so distressed and troubled Him was the spiritual suffering He would endure as He would bear the sins of the world and drink to the last drop the fierce wrath of God as our substitute."
- "Gethsemane was “hell” for Jesus, but [we should be] so thankful He went through it. You see, if there is no Gethsemane, there is no Calvary. It there is no Calvary, there can be no empty tomb. And if there is no empty tomb, there is only hell for us."
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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that suffered in ways that are unimaginable to me, including dying on the cross...for me. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
