Day 74: Wednesday, June 17
Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became anguished and distressed. Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done.” He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer is approaching!”
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
COMMENT & QUESTIONS
Jesus prays in the garden with Peter and the two sons of Zebedee. According to Matt 10:1-4, who were the sons of Zebedee?
James and John, some of the 12 Apostles. Remember back to Matt 4:20-22 when they were first called. They were some of Jesus' closest disciples.
What other important event had they witnessed (see Matt 17:1-9)?
They had seen Jesus at the transfiguration on the mountain. They had heard the Father call down to Jesus as the Son.
What are some of the things your ‘spirit’ has been willing to do but your ‘flesh’ was too weak?
Consider some of the spiritual habits that you have tried to form in your life. Think about prayer life and bible study. Think about some of the goals you've had in your relationships with others.
PRAYERS
Give thanks that Jesus did not put His wishes first, but loved us so much to die for us Pray for the flesh which is weak