Mark 14:38
Jesus' crisis hour in Mark 14:38 highlights the importance of watching and praying, as well as the value of friends in times of crisis, to overcome the spiritual pain of bearing the sins of mankind.
Chuck Smith discusses the profound struggle Jesus faced in His final hours, emphasizing the duality of His nature as both God and man. He highlights the intense physical, emotional, and spiritual pain Jesus endured, and the critical decision He made to sacrifice Himself for humanity's salvation. Smith reflects on the importance of having supportive friends during crises, as Jesus sought comfort from His disciples, urging them to 'watch and pray.' He concludes by reminding us that while our spirits may be willing, our flesh is weak, and we must remain vigilant in prayer.
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"THE REAL PROBLEM"
I. THE SETTING.
A. Jesus has come to His crisis hour.
1. Though God, yet man.
a. "And the Word was God", "And the Word became
flesh and dwelt among us."
b. "In the form of God, and thought it not
something to be attained to be equal with
God." "Came in the form of a servant in the
likeness of man."
2. Here we view the human side.
a. Knowing the pain that awaited Him this day, His flesh
looks for an escape.
1. The physical pain.
a. The buffeting.
b. The scourging.
c. The cross.
2. The emotional pain.
a. Despised and rejected.
b. Mocked and scorned.
c. Forsaken by friends.
3. The spiritual pain.
a. The sins of mankind are to be placed upon Him.
b. The resultant separation from the Father.
3. This is the moment of decision.
a. There is an out. He could call for ten legions of
angels who would have eagerly responded.
1. Yet, if He saves Himself, He cannot save
others.
b. To go through with it means salvation for millions of
lost, helpless persons.
1. The spirit is ready and saying go.
2. The flesh is saying run.
3. As Jesus said to Peter, "The spirit is
ready..." He had great understanding.
B. The battle of the ages is being waged.
1. So fierce that Jesus' sweat becomes as blood.
2. Man's destiny is in the balance.
3. He prays, "Father, take away this cup from Me."
a. The colon represents a space of time, and in that
space, man's destiny was hanging in the balance.
1. I believe the Father gave Him a vision
of Revelation 5.
2. And Jesus continued His prayer,
"Nevertheless..."
II. DURING THE TIMES OF GREAT CRISIS, ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE THINGS ARE
FRIENDS STANDING BY.
A. To know you are not alone gives great strength.
1. How I thank God for those friends who stood by me in the crisis
hours of my life.
a. For my darling wife who, when my father and brother
were killed, was standing by my side comforting,
supporting.
B. Why Jesus came back to the disciples only a matter of
speculation, but who can deny the possibility of receiving
encouragement and strength from close brothers.
1. To Peter He said, "Are you sleeping? Could you not watch one
hour?"
a. Why single out Peter?
b. You must hear tone of voice.
1. I do not hear sarcastic rebuke.
2. I hear heart broken disappointment.
III. JESUS COMMANDED PETER, "WATCH AND PRAY LEST YOU ENTER INTO
TEMPTATION."
A. Before we seek to remove the sliver from Peter's eye, perhaps
we should look at ourselves.
1. The world is in great crisis today. How long since you
have watched with Him one hour?
2. In these days of crisis, are you watching or sleeping?
B. What is our problem?
1. The spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh is weak.
C. What is God's provision for our weak flesh?
1. Acts 1:8.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Setting
- A. Jesus' Crisis Hour
- 1. The Human Side
- a. Physical Pain
- b. Emotional Pain
- c. Spiritual Pain
- 2. The Moment of Decision
- a. To Save Himself or Others
- B. The Battle of the Ages
- 1. Jesus' Sweat Becomes as Blood
- 2. Man's Destiny in the Balance
- 3. Jesus' Prayer
- II. The Value of Friends in Times of Crisis
- A. Knowing You Are Not Alone Gives Great Strength
- B. Jesus' Encouragement to the Disciples
- III. Watching and Praying
- A. Looking at Ourselves Before Judging Others
- 'B. Our Problem: The Spirit vs. the Flesh'
- C. God's Provision for Our Weak Flesh
Key Quotes
“The spirit is ready and saying go, but the flesh is saying run.” — Chuck Smith
“The world is in great crisis today. How long since you have watched with Him one hour?” — Chuck Smith
“The spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh is weak.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should watch and pray to overcome our weak flesh and spiritual pain.
- Having friends in times of crisis gives great strength and encouragement.
- We should look at ourselves before judging others, as commanded by Jesus in Mark 14:38.