Mark 14:32-51
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 hourmight 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!”
Jesus Arrested
43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts,and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.
51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,
For the Adults;
As we approach Easter Sunday, during the Passion Week of our Lord Jesus Christ, we get a glimpse into our Savior’s humanity. John MacArthur said, “In fact, here are deeper insights into His heart than have yet been written in the New Testament. Apart from the cross, no greater agony has ever been experienced by any being who’s lived in this world in human form.” These verses record the saddest day. The setting is the Garden of Gethsemane in the middle of the night on Friday. On this day, Jesus would be crucified and die for our sins.
Isaiah the prophet spoke of the Messiah’s suffering in Isaiah 53:3. “He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” During the years of Jesus’ ministry, He knew sorrow. He knew the sorrow that we know in our grief stricken and fallen world. He showed compassion as He healed people, cast out demons, raised the dead. But here at Gethsemane, His sorrow was so great it caused Him to sweat blood. And during this agonizing time, He cries out to His Father, “if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” But Christ finished His prayer with these words, “yet not as I will, but as you will.”
In His humanity, Christ dreaded the cross. He was about to take the punishment for all the wrong things anybody had ever done or would ever do, but he stayed true to the Father’s will. He was willing to do what His Father asked and went to the cross willingly for you and for me. Christ being perfect gave His life so that we could have eternal life with Him.
As we remember Jesus’ gift to us, let us continually seek to join the will of God in His kingdom here on earth. Even as our humanity pulls us to the longings of this world, let us make time for God in the garden and join Jesus in praying, “yet not as I will, but as you will."
MacArthur, John. “The Agony of the Cup.”24, April 2011, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA.
For the Kids
Enter:
How many of you pray? …Good I am so glad you talk to God!
Can you name different times we might pray? …Before we eat, at bedtime, at church, when we need help, or seek God’s wisdom
Do you know that Jesus prayed? …He did! He prayed a lot! He prayed at night, in the morning, in front of large crowds, with his disciples, and even when He was all alone.
On the night before He died, Jesus asked His Father if He was willing to take this cup from Him. What cup is Jesus talking about?... His upcoming death
Jesus said, “yet not My will, but yours be done.” Jesus chose to obey His Father and do His will.
Hear:
Read the Passage. Mark 14:32-51
Pause:
Sit for a few moments…see if you can sit longer than yesterday!
Wonder:
Who is in this story and what happens to them?
What do you think this story is about?
How do you connect with this story?
Bless:
Affirm what was discussed about the story. Revisit things the kids brought up during the “Enter” time.
Pray together:
Praise God, Give thanks, Pray for others, confess sins, Praise God!
Closing Prayer:
Dear Lord, how could we ever thank you for the sorrow and pain you endured for me at the cross? Thank you for keeping me in your heart through it all and giving your life willingly for me! Amen!
About the author:
Marina Haubelt is an Air Force wife and mother of two and was previously a public school teacher in Ohio and California. Recently, she directed Children’s Ministries at Plymouth Haven Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. She currently resides in Tullahoma, TN. Pastor Ray is her favorite brother.