In The Word
Read: Mark 14:26-52
26 And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27 And Jesus *said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 29 But Peter said to Him, “Even if they all fall away, yet I will not!” 30 And Jesus *said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” 31 But Peter repeatedly said insistently, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing as well.
Jesus in Gethsemane
32 They *came to a place named Gethsemane; and He *said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” 33 And He *took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34 And He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” 35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began praying that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. 36 And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” 37 And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Keep watching and praying, so that you will not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to say in reply to Him. 41 And He *came the third time, and *said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough. The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!”
Betrayal and Arrest
43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, *came up, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who were from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him and lead Him away under guard.” 45 And after coming, Judas immediately went to Him and *said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 46 And they laid hands on Him and arrested Him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a man inciting a revolt? 49 Every day I was with you within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me; but this has taken place so that the Scriptures will be fulfilled.” 50 And His disciples all left Him and fled.
51 A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over hisnaked body; and they *seized him. 52 But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Peter had the right idea, but was not able to follow through in his own strength. He knew what he should do and what he wanted to do, but he didn’t consider the spiritual battle that was coming, even though the Lord warned him in advance. Peter had walked with Jesus daily. He had seen the miracles and heard the Truth. Peter had confessed that Jesus was the Christ when no one else did. However, not long after that testimony, the Lord rebuked Peter for allowing Satan to speak through him. Peter had stepped out on the water when no one else would so that he could be with Christ and walk like Christ, but he didn’t remember what happened when he took His eyes off the Lord. Now he would allow his pride and fear to sink him again.
The Lord asked Peter to pray with Him in the garden, but Peter couldn’t even stay awake. He fell asleep not once, but three times. Then, Peter publicly denied the Lord three times. However, in Acts Chapter 2, Peter preaches publicly and boldly. What was the difference? The Holy Spirit of God was the difference! The Holy Spirit in us empowers us, leads us, and helps us in our weakness…but be careful. Past victory does not negate your need for His Holy Spirit and His strength in your present situation. Don’t try to live this life in your own strength. Remember, it is a spiritual battle. We need His Spirit to consistently live boldly for Him.