I will continue the study from last week where Jesus and the disciples are in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Mark 14:32-41 NKJV, Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch." 35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 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." 37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 Again He went away and prayed, 41 Then He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."
1. Certain things have to happen.
When Jesus said, "The Hour has come" he ws speaking about God's time. You will find this truth of God's timing all through the Bible! When God's time comes.
The prayers of Jesus and His Disciples was not going to change what was going to happen. Jesus must die for the sins of the world. He prayed for Father to let this pass from me. That natural man crying out because he did not want to face the cross. We see the human side of Jesus crying out to His Father.
Through prayer, we enter God's power to walk in our destiny with God overcoming our flesh.
"God's hour" is supernatural times of opportunity for kingdom work. I believe we are entering into another season of God's Time. What is the command? Watch & Pray!
Jesus did not have to have them. They all ended up leaving him anyway. He is teaching us that we need others. We are stronger together.
THOUGHT: Don't want to be into the Garden of life ALONE!
"For we are both God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building" (1 Corinthians 3:9 NLT).
3. Power of prayer when you are going through tough times.
Let his words sink in, ". . .While I pray. . ." Here is God's son in the battle of his life, the most human you will see him, and he prays.
Even though this is a physical experience, it is also spiritual warfare.
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).
You have an enemy more destructive than coved-19, just like Jesus had an enemy that night. A personal enemy who hates you, Wants to mess up your life. Ruin your relationships. Defeat you. Why? Because Satan can't hurt God, so he goes for God's children.
Prayer is the way you defeat the devil.
3. The Power of Watching
Verse 38, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Or: keep watch, keep watching.
There can be several reasons for this command. There was a lot of trouble coming that night. Had they watched and prayed, they might have responded differently. As we continue to move toward the return of Jesus, more problems are coming upon the earth. So, watching and praying will strengthen us to stand.
4. Watching & Prayer bring you to Spiritual Alignment.
Spiritual alignment with what God is doing. The disciples where not in alignment with Jesus that night. They did not "get it."
God is always working in the earth to fulfill His eternal purpose. Those who are in spiritual alignment with him have the honor of being involved in what God is doing.
An example of this is Hanna, the prophet Samuel's mother. She was unable to have a child. She prayed for years for God to heal her; finally, she prays this prayer after so long.
"Then she made a vow and said, 'O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head" (1 Samuel 1:11).
Somehow when she made this vow to God, she was in alignment with what God wanted. God wanted a prophet. I don't know if she knew this or not, but the son she vowed to give to God became the prophet God needed.
Listen to Janet Neville's testimony in the video or audio.
4. We are Better Together
We must learn from this Coved-19 experience our need for covenant relationships. When you walk with Jesus - Don't walk alone!
Jesus needed these men with him. Even though they failed to watch and pray, he shows us what we need as we run this race of life.
"I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you" (Romans 1:12 NCV).