March 20, 2023

Mark 14:32-42 (HCSB)
32 Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified. 34 Then He said to them, "My soul is swallowed up in sorrow -to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake." 35 Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, " Abba , Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." 37 Then He came and found them sleeping. "Simon, are you sleeping?" He asked Peter. "Couldn't you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 Once again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to Him. 41 Then He came a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up; let's go! See-My betrayer is near."

Abby Joiner
I feel convicted while reading this passage. Jesus has just finished telling His disciples that He is going to die and be resurrected (v. 28) and they are fired up, ready to take on death by His side (v. 31). Then here we are just a short time later seeing that the disciples couldn’t even stay awake for Him. And here I find myself in the same position. All the Lord asks of me is simple daily obedience and I, like the disciples, struggle to keep my eyes open. “Keeping my eyes open” can look like getting up early to read my bible and pray, choosing to think before I speak, and choosing to serve others before myself. My slight discomfort being traded for simple obedience is a very small price for me to pay in order to honor my heavenly Father. May we fight to keep our eyes open and seize opportunities to glorify the Father.