6-21-20
June 21, 2020

“The Cup of Suffering”

Mark 14:27-42
June 21, 2020

Main point: Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane reveals His true humanity and faithfulness to the Father’s will and stands in stark contrast to the disciples’ pride, worry and desertion.

I. The Disciples’ Foolishness and Flight
Mark 14:27-31

II. The Lord’s Fear and Faithfulness
Mark 14:32-36

III. The Disciples’ Foreboding and Failure
Mark 14:37-42

Questions for Spiritual Growth

  1. What about Peter’s character stands out in comparison with the other disciples in verse 31? Have you ever been blinded by pride?

  2. Why do you think Jesus wanted only Peter, James, and John close to Him in Gethsemane?

  3. Why was Jesus so distressed? What was He afraid of? What did He recoil at?

  4. What did Jesus ask the Father? What is “this cup” that He prayed about? How does Jesus keep His desires from getting in the way of the Father’s will?

  5. What does Gethsemane teach us about Jesus’ humanity? About His relationship with the Father?

  6. How does the command to “watch and pray” aid us when we are tempted? What changes need to be made in your practice of prayer? What priorities should guide our prayers?

  7. What have your learned about Jesus in this passage? What attributes can you praise Him for? What characteristics can you prayerfully put into practice?

“In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.” - Hebrews 5:7-9