Mark 14:17-42
In tests… ‘Yet not what I will, BUT what you will’
Sometimes you may face difficulties in life not because you are doing something wrong but because you are doing something right. All of us will face tests, trials and temptations in life. You are not alone. Jesus himself never did anything wrong, yet he faced greater tests, trials and temptations than anyone in human history.
Disloyalty
Loyalty is a wonderful quality. Loyalty of friends and colleagues is encouraging, upbuilding and reassuring in times of troubles, trials and temptations. Disloyalty is gutting.
Jesus had spent three years with twelve people he loved, lived with and had trained. Yet he had to say to them, ‘One of you will betray me’ (v.18). It is horrible to be betrayed by an enemy or an acquaintance. But to be betrayed by a friend is almost unbearable.
Disappointment
Not only did one of the disciples betray him, all the rest fell away (v.27). Again, this must have been a huge disappointment to Jesus. These were his closest friends yet in the time of trial they all fell away – even the one who was such a strong leader, Peter. Although Peter was absolutely determined not to deny Jesus, he did eventually disown him.
Distress
As Jesus approaches the terrible moment, he is ‘deeply distressed and troubled’ (v.33b). His soul is ‘overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death’ (v.34a).
Death
We looked previously (see BiOY Day 60) at the Old Testament background to the cup of God’s wrath against sin. As he passes around the cup he says, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many’ (v.24). Later on in Gethsemane he prays, ‘Take this cup from me’ (v.36a).
In addition, ‘poured out for many’ (Mark 14:24b) echoes Isaiah 53; ‘because he poured out his life unto death’ (Isaiah 53:12c). Jesus knew he was facing unimaginable suffering, taking the sin of the world on his own shoulders and shedding his blood for us.
Again, to understand this fully, we need to refer to the Old Testament background. In our Old Testament passage for today, twice we read that ‘the life of a creature is in the blood’ (Leviticus 17:11,14). ‘It is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life’ (v.11). In other words, it is ‘life for life’ (Exodus 21:23). Jesus gave his life for us.
Every time you take the bread and the wine in communion, meditate on his great love, his sacrifice and his death for you. Receive again his forgiveness, mercy, grace and favour. Dedicate your life again to him and say, ‘Yet not my will but yours be done.’
Jesus, facing disloyalty, disappointment, distress and death, puts his trust in his loving heavenly Father and says, ‘Yet not what I will, but what you will’ (Mark 14:36c). He knows that God is his perfect Father, whom he can address as ‘Abba, Father’ (v.36a) – an intimate way of addressing him, almost like ‘Daddy’ or ‘Papa’.
He knows that God is all-powerful. In many ways, he wants to escape ‘this cup’ (v.36b). However, he trusts that God knows best and is willing to submit to his will. It is the supreme example for us when we are fearful of what lies ahead.
The contrast between Jesus and his disciples would be amusing, were it not for the context. They are not facing anything like what he is facing. But they cannot even keep awake to support him in prayer; they keep falling asleep. I must say, I sympathise with them. I often find it hard to stay awake!
Jesus says, ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak’ (v.38). I have to confess this is often true of me in the face of the challenge to pray more, my spirit is willing, but my body is weak.
Thank you, Father, that I too can address you as ‘Abba’ and put my trust in you. For all the plans that lie ahead I pray, ‘not what I will, but what you will’ (v.36). Help me to put your will above my own.