June 15 - The Comforter Seeks Comfort

Read: Mark 14:32-42

Context: Jesus and his disciples have just finished eating his final Passover dinner. Jesus has forewarned them of his imminent death, and Peter claimed that he would never fall away, even if he has to die.

Text:
32They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36"Abba,[a] Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
37Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
39Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" (NIV)
Footnotes:
Mark 14:36 Aramaic for Father
taken from www.biblegateway.com

Jesus has set the perfect example of how to help others in times of crisis. But what did he need most when he was in his own crisis? At this point in his earthly life, he has been hailed as the redeemer and was almost stoned as a blasphemer. He has wandered throughout Israel for three years, sharing the truth with many who refused to believe. Swarms of people pushed at him from all sides hoping to be healed by touching his garment whenever he visited a town. Even in the early morning when he would try to find quiet time with God, his followers would find him. Now he knows the end is near, and he is exhausted and distressed.

So what did he do? He went to a quiet, familiar place with his closest friends. He went off a little way by himself and he prayed to God. He asked for what he wanted, and he acknowledged that God knew best, so he prayed for what God wanted. He returned to his friends, disappointed that they were not praying, too. It's interesting that he asked them to pray for themselves and their strength, not his. He wanted to gain comfort by knowing that they were nearby watching and praying.

One lesson we can learn from this is to truly 'be there' for someone who is in crisis. As they go through their personal struggle, they don't necessarily want you to fight for them or to offer plans, but they need you close by, watchful, and available. They need you to pray for them, but they also need you to pray for yourself...that you will be there in the best spiritual position you can attain to help support them.