July 26, 2024 -- Mark 14:37-38 -- Prayer and Spiritual Battle

And he came to them and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Mark 14:37-38 ESV

Jesus was facing the greatest trial of His life. He was wrestling in prayer with God the Father, preparing for the foaming cup of God’s wrath against sin which soon would be poured out on Him, Jesus. Jesus had asked His disciples, Peter, James, and John, to go with Him and pray. They fell asleep. If you know the story well, Peter had just declared to Jesus something to the effect that even if all the others fell away, he’d stay true to God. Jesus prophesied that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster had crowed twice.

By the light of this context, the failure of Peter is shown in even greater contrast to Jesus’ faithfulness. Peter having been warned by Jesus slept. He did not engage in prayer to prepare himself for the spiritual warfare that he’d been warned he’d be up against. No wonder he failed. Greater is the grace and the love of Jesus—Who had prayed for Peter, that though he be sifted like wheat, he would not ultimately fall into the hands of Satan. What mercy Jesus showed, even in His worst and darkest hours, He prayed for and shepherded His followers.

I wonder, how often is it we fall into temptation and sinful ways precisely because, like Peter, we are asleep, or are distracted, or are prayerless. It is easy to condemn Peter, but in doing so, we condemn ourselves also. What a warning is set before us today. What a wonderful Savior we serve! Blessed be the Captain of Salvation, our King, for His faithful prayers and His protecting grace.

Blessed Jesus, thank You for Your prayers for Your people. Spirit of the Living God, awaken our souls, revivify our minds so that we will by prayer and Scripture reading prepare to engage in the spiritual battles all around us. Thank You, Father in heaven, for choosing us in love. Thank You that You have, indeed, provided all things necessary for our salvation and for the guarding of our souls in the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Cr6vMGPxYjI?si=h41h1CWY2ds-8xqp Arise, My Soul, Arise (the song begins at the 1 minute 43 second mark. So, if you want to skip the history of it, just slide the cursor to that point.

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.