We often have a higher estimation of our own moral strength and courage than is the case. We hear about someone yielding to pressure to do wrong and say, “I would never do that!” However, when it is we who have to face the temptation or the pressure to do wrong we find that our boasting about what we would or wouldn’t do was misplaced.
Jesus’ disciples found that they were not able to live up to their boasts. After Jesus and the disciples ate the Passover meal together they went to the Mount of Olives. In chapter 14, beginning with verse 27 of the Gospel which bears his name, Mark records what happened. “Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” But Peter said to him, “Although all will be offended, yet I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he spoke all the more, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” They all said the same thing.”
Even though Jesus plainly told them on more than one occasion that He would suffer and die, the disciples could not grasp it. They expected Jesus to establish an earthly kingdom in which they would have positions of honor. This misunderstanding of Jesus’ kingship and their own ambitions blinded them to the reality of their weakness. During their meal Jesus had already shocked the disciples by saying one of them would betray Him. Now He quoted the prophet Zechariah to warn the disciples that all of them would abandon Him. Instead of taking Jesus’ warning to heart and preparing to face the test which was coming, each of the disciples declared that he was more loyal than all the others.
The reasons for the disciples’ vulnerability to temptation became apparent a little later. In verses 32 through 42 Mark writes, “They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed. He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch.” He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire.” He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour? Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words. Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn’t know what to answer him. He came the third time, and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Arise! Let’s get going. Behold: he who betrays me is at hand.””
It is ironic that the people who declared their undying loyalty to Jesus would, a few minutes later, not comply with His request to keep watch. Instead of remaining vigilant the disciples gave way to slumber. The disciples’ actions provide us with a lesson why we also find it difficult to resist temptation. When we fail to follow Jesus’ instructions, fail to pray and fail to keep up our guard then, like the disciples we, too, will be unfit for the difficulties and trials which come upon us.
In contrast to the disciples, Jesus prayed earnestly that God would spare Him from the ordeal which was coming. Since Jesus was arrested, condemned and crucified, many would say that God did not listen to Jesus’ prayer. However, the writer of Hebrews assures us that God did hear Jesus’ prayer to be saved from death. How can this be? It is true that Jesus died, but it is also true that God raised Him from the dead. Jesus now lives forever. Death has no hold on Him. In this way God answered Jesus’ prayer to be saved from death in the most significant way possible.
Why did God grant Jesus’ prayer? Mark writes that Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done regardless of His own desires. The writer of Hebrews points out that God heard Jesus because of His reverent submission. If it seems like God is not listening to us when we pray, perhaps it is because we are asking from selfish motives instead of asking for God’s will to be done.
Jesus repeatedly admonished His disciples to watch and pray. In verses 43 through 52 Mark tells us what happened the last time He did this, “Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.” When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him. They laid their hands on him, and seized him. But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Jesus answered them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.” They all left him, and fled. A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself over his naked body. The young men grabbed him, but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.”
Few actions are so despicable as betrayal cloaked in love. Perhaps it was with Judas’ betrayal in mind that the Apostle Paul later wrote, “…Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (1 Corinthians 16:20) But Judas was not the only one at fault. Because they had not prepared themselves to face temptation, the disciples’ prideful boasts of loyalty turned into craven desertion. True, one of them tried to defend Jesus with a sword but this, too, came from a failure to understand Jesus’ purpose and the nature of His kingdom. Other accounts of this incident record that Jesus not rebuked Peter for resorting to armed violence, he healed the man Peter wounded. With that, bravado turned to fear and all the disciples fled. Scholars believe that the young man who fled naked was none other than Mark who wrote this account.
Jesus also pointed out the cowardice and hypocrisy of those who arrested Him. Jesus openly taught at the Temple. They could have arrested Him there. Instead they chose darkness in which to arrest the “Light of the World.” They brought weapons to subdue the unresisting, ‘Prince of Peace.’