LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for February 21: When you have difficult decisions

As Jesus’ earthly ministry closed out, an interval of time stood between Jesus’ final meal and his arrest. Approximately 18 hours remained in Jesus’ life. Jesus knew about the coming events.

What then should he do with the intervening time? This was like the idle time before combat all soldiers hate. They were ready to go, so how should they use the remaining time? To keep their minds off the coming battle, soldiers check and recheck their gear. This is like the idle time before a competition which all athletes dread. How should the time be used? To keep their minds clear of anxiety, athletes stay warmed up, keep loose and shadow step their moves.

How could Jesus use the extra time before his dreaded big event? As with his other discretionary time, Jesus spent his “waiting” time in prayer. The final decision about the cross still was pending. Somewhere in the reaches of heaven and eternity, removed from human observation and counsel, Jesus decided to come to earth to walk among people, to teach, to heal and to touch his most beloved of all creation. His climactic feat would be to offer a sacrifice of atonement for these same needy, sinful people. Willingly Jesus set aside the riches of heaven. Gladly Jesus walked among his people. Obediently, Jesus waited for the cross. He was ready. But what to do with the intervening time?

At Gethsemane, Jesus faced the most difficult decision of his earthly life. He dealt with that decision on his knees, seeking yet again his Father’s will. Throughout his life, Jesus prayerfully sought his Father’s will and direction. His prayer at Gethsemane fit this pattern. A study of Jesus’ prayer reveals to Jesus’ followers how to handle difficult decisions through intimate prayer with God.

Pray about the decision (Mark 14:32-35)

Jesus enjoyed his last meal with his close associates and departed the city for the adjacent park known as Gethsemane. There Jesus would wait for his betrayer, but he would not be idle. The weight of his pending sacrifice pressed Jesus to seek his Father’s presence. God’s people should learn from their Lord to seek God’s answer to every issue they face, small or great.

Jesus entered his prayer “chamber” by degrees. He left the main group of disciples at a point just inside the park. He took Peter, James and John deeper into his place of prayer. With rising inner turmoil, Jesus moved on to pray alone.

During the evening meal, Jesus had focused his attention on ministering to his disciples, preparing them for the dire events they would face in a few short hours. Somehow, Jesus held himself together. Now, however, the dreaded waiting time had come.

Inevitable thoughts about his pending death horrified Jesus. Only later (Mark 15:34) do we find out that the real terror of the cross for Jesus was his own personal separation from, actually abandonment by, his Father. Separation from intimate fellowship with the Heavenly Father was unthinkable to Jesus.

By the time Jesus had seated the inner group of disciples, his emotional state had surfaced. Verse 32 states Jesus was deeply distressed and troubled. Such deep emotion cannot be hidden once it wells up. The disciples should have noticed Jesus was overwhelmed about something and should have prayed accordingly.

Knowing what happened to Jesus at the cross, one may wonder if Jesus found the answer he sought in prayer. The answer is overwhelmingly affirmative. Look at Jesus’ composure in verse 42: He is the image of strength and control. In prayer, Jesus desperately sought another way to solve humanity’s sin problem that would not sever his relationship with his Father. Yet Jesus deliberately submitted to his Father’s will. In the end, Jesus would continue with the original plan, strengthened by heavenly counsel and his Father’s delight in him.

For those who face withering difficulties and desperately need heavenly counsel, Jesus’ prayer experience shows God provides satisfying wisdom. God’s presence in intense moments comforts his children. Certainly, God must delight in the sweetness of the moment when a beloved human creation turns to him, calling for mercy and grace.

More can be learned from Jesus’ prayer, yet it is helpful to note that in Gethsemane the battle of the cross was won. After he concluded his prayer, Jesus resolutely strode out of Gethsemane to fulfill his Father’s will. Perhaps this dark moment in Gethsemane was the closest call, but Jesus never wavered in his determination to please his Father. He prayed his way through the issue. When his prayer concluded, his decision was certain. This speaks volumes regarding the power of prayer.

Identify God’s will (Mark 14:36-39)

It already has been stated that Jesus had tremendous inner conflict he struggled to control. Knowledge of Jesus’ inner struggles can help modern believers to deal with their own inner struggles. Through prayer, Jesus overcame this struggle and was able to face the events that were rapidly approaching. The key to Jesus’ prayer victory was his determination to fulfill God’s will.

We have the essence of Jesus’ prayer in verse 36. He was not verbose, but to the point. His point was that he was determined to fulfill God’s will, not his own. The disciples previously had been impressed by Jesus’ commitment to prayer. They eventually asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Jesus immediately gave them the Lord’s Prayer. The second stanza of His prayer pleads for God’s will to be done (see Matthew 6:10 and Luke 11:2). In His greatest moment of need, Jesus practiced what He taught! He sought His Father’s will above any personal interests.

Jesus’ prayer contrasts starkly with the disciples’ prayer. In a sense, you cannot blame the disciples for falling asleep. They had a busy day and an emotionally draining evening. Their stomachs were full from a feast. They were likely past their normal time to retire for the evening. Furthermore, the calmness of Gethsemane at night lulled them toward slumber. Yet, being Jesus’ closest associates, they should have realized that He was overwhelmingly troubled by something. Jesus’ expression should have been enough to prompt them to pray.

Verse 38 indicates about what the disciples should have been praying. Jesus told them to watch and pray they not fall into temptation. It is curious that Jesus commanded the disciples to pray the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:13 and Luke 11:4). What temptation could come the disciples’ way? Many people see the temptation as falling to sleep, thus contrasting their sleep with Jesus’ command to watch. The contrast actually is between Jesus’ prayer and the disciples’ prayer. Jesus prayed regarding his future and found an answer in his commitment to his Father’s will. The disciples should have prayed similarly. They too had a future about which to be concerned.

At Jesus’ arrest, the disciples’ commitment to Jesus would be tested. Verse 47 states one of Jesus’ companions drew a sword and struck the high priest’s servant. Verse 50 says everyone fled. Where was their commitment to Jesus? What if Jesus had so quickly abandoned his Father’s will? How does Jesus want his followers to demonstrate their commitment? Not knowing about the specific events to come, the disciples could have at least prayed for the strengthening of their commitments to Jesus. How might the disciples have responded to Jesus’ arrest if they had prayed to be strong and committed to their Lord in their moment of temptation?

The disciples should have prayed in a way parallel to Jesus’ prayer. They should have taken the cue from Jesus’ intense emotions that something dreadful was approaching. They needed to petition for God’s will for their lives to be revealed. They needed to ask where the point of temptation would come. They needed to seek God’s strengthening and presence. They needed to appeal for God’s wisdom. They needed to request courage to please their Lord. Having done so, perhaps they would have made a better showing for themselves as Jesus was arrested.

Though the disciples slept and fled in ignorance, they were graciously forgiven. Thus, later followers of Jesus are encouraged to learn to be discerning about seeking God’s will. We are not here to be passive objects of God’s blessing. We are to serve the Lord and persistently seek his will until we have it and then tenaciously labor to fulfill it.

Commit to do God’s will (Mark 14:41-44)

Having reaffirmed his commitment to God’s will, Jesus marched with vigor to meet his arresters. In verse 36, Jesus stated he was determined to obey God’s will. Verse 42 shows how Jesus launched himself into following God’s will. Jesus could have traveled far away by this time. He still could have fled upon hearing the approach of the ones who had come to take him into custody. Jesus, however, rose to the occasion and went to meet the posse coming for him. They would not have to search for him. Such was the strength of Jesus’ character and determination to follow God’s will.

Verse 43 describes Jesus’ opponents as a crowd. The word could equally well be translated as “mob.” Up to this point, the word “crowd” described the friendly masses who had followed Jesus throughout his ministry. In Jerusalem, Jesus’ popularity with the crowds had protected him from the evil intent of the religious leaders.

Now a different crowd had sought out Jesus. This was a crowd that operated by the rules of night. They were armed with swords and clubs. This crowd acted more like a mob. Only John reveals this crowd included soldiers. Perhaps the authorities wanted no interference from Jesus’ followers. In the end, they should not have worried. Nevertheless, the scene must have been terrifying to Jesus’ friends.

Keep the commitment (Mark 14:45-50)

Curiously, from among the crowd, only Judas speaks, and he only spoke one word. The crowd was so determined in its evil duty it said nothing, lest it be detracted. Jesus, the hunted, however, spoke many words, keeping his composure. Jesus was ever the Lord in full control. He lodged a complaint about the crowd’s method of arrest. He stopped his disciples from attacking the crowd. His commitment to carry out God’s will dominated the moment. Jesus’ followers today should strive to be so committed to God that their commitment dominates the issues they face.

The overall story continues onward as Jesus is tried, crucified, buried and later resurrected. Nevertheless, a triumph already has occurred. Jesus has experienced a victory through prayer. He has not merely remained faithful to his Father, but he became bold in doing so. Jesus’ followers can have similar bold triumphs. By seeking God’s will and then committing to it, Jesus’ followers can live with vibrant faith even in difficult times.