Mark 14:32-42

 (1) Background

14:31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all of them said the same thing.

Before Peter denied Jesus 3 times, he and other disciples had already failed Jesus 3 times in v.32--42.

(2) Repeated words:

a. Jesus gave 3 commands to the disciples: first to the whole group of them, "sit" v.32. Then to Peter, James and John Jesus told them while He needed them and wanted them to "remain here" and "stay alert." v.34. Basically, they all failed the last command and all went to sleep v.37. Three cycles like this: Jesus prayed, when He finished, He found them sleeping, He told them to stay awake v.37-38. 39-40, 41. 

When Peter and the rest of the group said they would rather die than not to deny Him they could not even fight the sleepiness. This sounds ridiculous. Did they really mean to keep their promise? Jesus got them 3 chances and they all failed. 

Reflection: Do we fail with our promise to God over and over again? Do we promise to give up or stay away from things that will tempt us to sin, but we fail? May God forgive us.

b. Jesus became very troubled and distressed when He got to Gethsemane. He told the disciples that His soul was deeply grieved, even to the point of death.  v.33-34. He prayed that the hour would pass from Him and the cup being taken away from Him v.36. 

v.41b Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

v.42 b Look! My betrayer is approaching!”

Jesus did not ask them to pray for Him, but He wanted them to stay with Him. That was the first reason they needed to stay alert. Second, He wanted them to pray for themselves because the betrayer is coming! 

Reflection: When we are in need we need God, but we also need the support of other people. Their presence would comfort us. Even the weak disciples would have comforted Jesus. How do we comfort our spouse, our kids, and our brothers and sisters in church? 

Are we aware of the dangers that are approaching us? War in Eastern Europe? Pandemic outbreak? Our own health crisis? We need to pray for ourselves that we will not fall into temptation (occasion to sin) when these dangers come. 

Audrey