Mark 14:32-42 — Simon, Are You Asleep?

 Mark 14:32-42

Ancient Olive Tree in Gethsemane

And they went to a place called Gethsemane.

And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”

And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 

And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”

And going a little farther, he 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. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? ³⁸ Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.

And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him.

And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Comments:

I read this passage with a great deal of personal application. Jesus was facing the toughest day of his life and he asked for the help of his disciples. He didn't ask much—just that they would watch and pray with him for an hour. He was “sorrowful unto death” and felt the weight of the sins of the world beginning to come down upon his shoulders. He prayed and asked for relief, but at the same time submitted himself to the Father's will not to his own personal comfort (v. 36). He returned to the disciples and found them sleeping.

v. 37-38 "Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Jesus pointed out that Peter/Simon was not able to stay awake for an hour at the Lord's request. Perhaps this carried the implication that if he couldn't watch and pray for an hour, there was no way that Peter would be able to carry out his promise made in v. 29 & 31 (see previous post). Peter was willing spiritually, but weak (e.g., undisciplined) physically. So when we are weak physically what is the first thing to go? Our prayer time and devotional life—without which we are no match for the power of our spiritual enemy when he desires to come and sift us.

Jesus prayed alone three times and each time they slept. Then swiftly crisis came upon them and only Jesus was prepared and armed spiritually to face it. Jesus’ words came true when they all fled.

Don’t get me wrong…we need to get proper sleep and nutrition and exercise and all that. But sleeping when Jesus has asked us to be praying will never prepare us for spiritual battle. I’m thinking that we might need to pray and watch so we will not be caught weak and off guard.

In this place, the Garden of the Olive press, we see Jesus under terrible pressure yet come out triumphant through prayer and surrender to the Father's will. Peter, though well rested fails miserably. What will come out of our lives when we are pressed?