"They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[a] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners."
(Mark 14:32-41)
God has ever felt fear and trembling. He recognized every struggle. Do not leave our prayer room until we feel peace, like Jesus who remained peaceful despite of His fear and trembling.
Mark 14:34 says “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,”?He said to them.?“Stay here and keep watch.”
Jesus was afraid to be separated from God, His Father in heaven. The peace from the Father gives a sense of calm in midst of fear. Only God's children know how to have peace of mind.
Mark 14:35 says “Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour?might pass from Him.”?
The keyword is “Heavenly Father”. Jesus had an intimate relationship with His Father. Peace must be firmly and deeply rooted from our knowledge. Even when we fail, our Father will not run out of ideas. Even if we don't understand, our Father is still in control. If we can call Him Abba and Father, then we have a home in heaven.
Mark 14:37-39 says "Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping.?“Simon,”?He said to Peter,?“are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour??Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.?The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Once more He went away and prayed the same thing."
Jesus said the same prayer. This means we mustn’t be off guard. We must pray again and guard carefully because there are 2 things that can be easily stolen:
1. Money
2. Peace
That's why Jesus taught us to pray consistently so that our peace is maintained.
Mark 14:40-41 says "When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him. Returning the third time, He said to them,?“Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour?has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners."
The fact that the disciples could sleep and rest means that He could still take care of His disciples and stay there with them, even though He knew what awaited Him. The same thing Jesus will do for us, He will give us His peace, the peace that only the Son of God has.
Excerpted form Ps. Philip Mantofa's Sermon, 22 April 2020, Youtube & Instagram Live
https://youtu.be/qxmaS3EIEtE
