32They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
35He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 36“Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” —Mark 14:32-36 NLT
Intimate in the Midst of It
“Then the Lord asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless–––a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.’
Satan replied to the Lord, ‘Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!’” —Job 1:8-11 NLT
Job’s initial response:
“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
And I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
And the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!” —Job 1:21 NLT
Job’s response to his second testing:
“Listen closely to what I am about to say. Hear me out. I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent. Who can argue with me over this? And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.” —Job 13:17-19 NLT
“Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and sin. Why do You turn away from me? Why do You treat me as Your enemy?” —Job 13:23-24 NLT
“O Lord, how long will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day?” —Psalm 13:1-2 NLT
“They…(Jesus and the disciples)…went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, ‘Sit here while I go and pray.’
He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.’” —Mark 14:32-34 NLT
“He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting Him might pass Him by. ‘Abba, Father,’ He cried out, ‘everything is possible for You. Please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.’” —Mark 14:35-36 NLT
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” —Psalm 34:18 NLT
allow your
“But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me.” —Psalm 13:5-6 NLT
Discussion Questions
Describe a time where affliction has hindered affection in a realtionship in your life. What was the affliction? How did it impact the affection in your relationship? Why?
Describe a time in your life where you’ve expereinced affliction hindering your affection toward God. What was the affliction? Why did it hinder your relationship with God?
Read Mark 14:32-34. What is your response to reading about the anguish and distress that Jesus experienced?
Read Mark 14:35-36. From this we discussed how crisis doesn’t impact closeness between Jesus and the Father. Read Psalm 34:18. What is the reminder this psalm and Jesus’ example give us when we face our own crises? What encouragement do they provide you?
How is it Jesus was able to submit to the will of the Father even though He knew it would bring suffering and pain? What can we glean from this?