Cries of Agony (Mark 14:32-42)

25 July 2010

I.     The support of friends, vv. 32-34.
A.     Jesus had all of the disciples go with Him to Gethsemane.
     1.     Gethsemane was a garden they frequently visited.
     2.     Jesus had them sit down to pray.
          a.     He needed their prayers.
          b.     They needed their own prayers.
B.     Peter, James, and John were chosen to go farther.
     1.     These three had an especially close friendship.
     2.     Jesus wanted their companionship and prayers.
     3.     Jesus' emotional state was almost enough to cause His death.
          a.     Physical abuse would be extreme.
          b.     Relationships would fail: betrayal, desertion.
          c.     Taking the sin of mankind was worst of all.
     4.     Peter, James, and John were instructed to stay alert.
C.     Companionship is very helpful in facing life's struggles.
     1.     We like to have people who know what we are facing.
     2.     Provides empathy, advice and/or encouragement.
     3.     Remember to give as well as receive.

II.     Guidance through prayer, vv. 35-42.
     A.     Jesus went farther in the garden for private prayer.
          1.     He asked for another way than what He faced.
               a.     Another way was a real possibility.
               b.     The prayer did not reflect unwillingness.
          2.     Jesus' prayer revealed three things about His heart.
               a.     Intimacy with God: Abba, Father.
               b.     Confidence in God: All things are possible.
               c.     Obedience to God: What You will.
     B.     The disciples failed to stay awake all three times.
          1.     Jesus singled Peter out but spoke to all three men.
          2.     Without genuine prayer they could not stand firm, v. 38.
     C.     What can we learn from Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane?
          1.     Be completely honest about your feelings and desires.
           2.     Trust God.
               a.     He can do anything.
               b.     He knows what we face and cares deeply.
          3.     Make prayer a regular and consistent part of life.
          4.     Qualify each prayer with a desire for God's will.

Personal Challenges
1.     How is your prayer life?
      a.     Write down 2 or 3 important things in your life that you need or want.
      b.     Pray about those things every day for the next 2 weeks.
      c.     Use your prayer time to practice praying like Jesus.
      d.     How did God answer?
2.     Do you know God in a personal relationship?