THE REALITY OF COMMITMENT
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Opening Prayer
Father, may my concentration be totally on what you would say to me today through your Word. Help me to shut out all distractions and hear your voice.
Read MARK 14:32–42
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Gethsemane
32 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.”
35 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.”
37 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.”
39 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.
41 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. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Footnotes
- Mark 14:36 Aramaic for father
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
In what ways are you most easily distracted from your walk of faith with Jesus?
My son recently competed in an Ironman event: a swim, bike, and running marathon that took between seven and eight hours to complete. His training leading up to the event required many months of hour after hour of grueling activity in all kinds of weather. I admire his commitment. In contrast, the commitment here of Peter, James, and John leaves a lot to be desired. Their task is simple. While Jesus spends time in private prayer, they are to stay a short distance off and keep watch. Is Jesus aware of the impending arrival of his accusers? Is he testing the disciples’ understanding of his earlier words to be on their guard?1 Whichever the answer, the trio fail completely. Three times Jesus returns to them—to discover that, whatever their good intentions, a big meal, wine, and the late hour have conspired to defeat them. They are sound asleep.
Jesus’ commitment to the task given him by his Father is total. Not that he doesn’t double-check that the way ahead of him is entirely necessary (v. 36). In a perfect world he would rather not drink this cup of suffering—but this isn’t a perfect world … yet. For Jesus, this is God’s heavenly will, enacted on earth, and his commitment to that will must be seen through to its bitter end … and beyond.
My intentions for God are good. I want to do what he knows is best for myself, my family, my community, and his world. It’s the little things that let me down: a late night, a silly argument, hackles raised at something seen or heard, the attractions that vie for my attention. My commitment may sometimes require sacrifice and dogged determination. But that’s when the kingdom comes.
Apply
Repeat the words of the Lord’s Prayer. When you reach ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done,’ pause and ask what God wants you to be committed to today.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that there is never even a moment when your attention is not fixed on me. Help me, that all I say and do is centered on you and your will for me.
1 Mark 13:9, 23
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