Not my will...

Gethsemane

(Mark 14:32-42, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, March 8, 2020)

[32] And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” [33] And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. [34] And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” [35] And going a little farther, he 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. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” [37] 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.” [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 very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. [41] 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. [42] Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

What are we to do when we fear that the Lord's will may be different than ours? Can we still ask for what we want? What if we don't receive what we earnestly request?

The prayer of a very sorrowful righteous soul (32-36)

A place called Gethsemane

Greatly distressed and troubled

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

He fell on the ground.

He prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

“Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me.”

“Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

The sleeping disciples and a betrayer at hand (37-42)

He came and found them sleeping.

“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.”

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.

They did not know what to answer him.

And he came the third time...

“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.”

THE POINT: The cross of Christ was in accord with the Father's will.

Applying these verses:

1. Our flesh is weak. Pray that you will not enter into temptation.

2. The will of God was very costly to Father and Son and should be most precious to us.

3. We need to grow in our use of this prayer of Jesus: “Not my will...” A few verses...

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 130 – Out of the depths

New Testament Reading—1 Corinthians 3 – Solid Food – All things are yours

Other passages:

Psalm 22

[1] My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

…

[21] Save me from the mouth of the lion!

You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

…

[30] Posterity shall serve him;

it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

[31] they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,

that he has done it.

Psalm 69

[1] Save me, O God!

For the waters have come up to my neck.

…

[6] Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,

O Lord GOD of hosts;

let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,

O God of Israel.

...

[32] When the humble see it they will be glad;

you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

Psalm 143

[1] Hear my prayer, O LORD;

give ear to my pleas for mercy!

In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

…

[10] Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God!

Let your good Spirit lead me

on level ground!

Psalm 130

[1] Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!

…

[5] I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope;

[6] my soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen for the morning,

more than watchmen for the morning.

[7] O Israel, hope in the LORD!

For with the LORD there is steadfast love,

and with him is plentiful redemption.

[8] And he will redeem Israel

from all his iniquities.

What are we to do when we fear that the Lord's will may be different than ours? Pray. Can we still ask for what we want? Yes.

What if we don't receive what we earnestly request? Wait for the Lord; hope in his word.