Ever let someone down when it mattered?
In Gethsemane, Jesus asked three of his closest friends for their support ... watching and praying with Him.
They fell asleep.
This Super Short Thought from Mark 14:32-42 shows how Jesus responds to failure: he doesn’t excuse it, but he understands it and makes provision.
Quick answers:
Did the disciples really fall asleep in Gethsemane?
Yes!
Mark 14:37-40 records that Peter, James and John could not stay awake, and that their eyes were very heavy.
What did Jesus mean by “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”?
He was recognising that sincere intentions can still be overwhelmed by human limitation. He does not excuse the failure, but he understands it (Mark 14:38).
Does Jesus give up on people who fail?
No. Throughout Mark’s Gospel he keeps calling failing followers back to begin again.
The good news in one line: Jesus isn’t looking for people who never get tired or never slip up, but for people who will turn back to him every time and begin again.
Read Mark’s Gospel free, in your own time: https://live.bible.is/bible/ENGNLH/MRK/1
Part of the Discovering Mark series, working through Mark’s Gospel passage by passage. Subscribe to stay on top of new releases!
INFO RETENTION QUIZ
1. How long did Jesus ask the three disciples to keep watch?
A. Half an hour
B. One hour
C. All night
D. Three hours
2. Which disciples did Jesus take closest to him in Gethsemane?
A. Peter, Andrew and Philip
B. Matthew, Thomas and John
C. Peter, James and John
D. James, Judas and Thomas
3. What reason does Mark give for the disciples falling asleep?
A. They were bored
B. They were afraid of the soldiers
C. Their eyes were heavy
D. They had been ordered to rest
4. What did Jesus say about the disciples’ condition?
A. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak
B. You have failed me completely
C. Sleep on, you have earned it
D. Faith needs no effort
5. According to this Super Short Thought, who is Jesus not looking for?
A. People who ask questions
B. People who never get tired or never slip up
C. People who pray out loud
D. People who attend every week
Bonus question:
What is the good news of the passage?
A. Failure never matters
B. Only the strong are accepted
C. Jesus welcomes those who turn back to him and begin again
D. Tiredness is a sin
ANSWERS
B
C
C
A
B
C
#MuckingItUp #SuperShortThought #DiscoveringMark #Mark14 #Gethsemane #GospelOfMark #BibleStudy #Jesus #Christian #Faith #BeginAgain #SecondChances #WelshRev #RuralWales #BibleVerse