Daily Devotions
Mark
Acts 3:17 "Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers." Acts 3:17"
Day 306 – Mark 14
“Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.”
Acts 3:17
GETHSEMANE
Unspeakable suffering lay just ahead! Conversation with His disciples at this point of time was stalled. Jesus, who had begun His ministry, in deep prayer was now preparing to close His earthly ministry- in prayer.
“Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane,
and He said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’
And He took Peter, James and John with Him,
And He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.
Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful,
even to death. Stay here and watch.'”
MARK 14:32-34
1. Knowledge of His disciples
The disciples did not appear to have any sense, or premonition of what would soon transpire. It seemed almost like a normal night, when Jesus would withdraw and spend time alone in prayer. Jesus’ words to His disciples were kind and gentle. He did not accuse them for lacking in comprehension and awareness of the gravity of the situation at hand. The bulk of the disciples was limited in spiritual sensitivity still.
2. The inner circle of three
Once again, Jesus called out three of His closest disciples to walk a little further with Him. Out of earshot of the other disciples, He bared His heart to them.
a) Battling feelings of exceeding sorrow
Jesus had donned flesh! As such, He would also feel the depth of sorrow that any human being would feel, given the same set of circumstances.
b) Watching with Jesus
This sense of sorrow was not something that anyone could easily comprehend. Jesus knew that even His close disciples would never be able to fathom the depth of His feelings of sorrow. He asked, as a friend might request of those close to him, that they “watched” with Him.
ALONE IN PRAYER
Jesus had to enter into this trysting place of prayer on His own.
“He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed
that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.
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.”
MARK 14:35-36
Only Jesus Himself could have entered into this depth of prayer!