Jesus' Soul Exceeding Sorrowful - Mark 14:34

Mark wrote how Jesus and His disciples, “came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he said to his disciples, Sit you here, while I shall pray. And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy”, and in chapter fourteen and verse thirty-four of his book, Mark shared how Jesus, “said unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death”, where we read:

And said unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry you here, and watch.

The verse reads, “And said unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death:” Mark began with the words, “And said unto them” which means “and Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed to Peter, James and John” “My soul” or “Jesus' seat of the feelings, desires, affections and aversions” “is exceeding sorrowful” which means “is very sad and overcome with sorrow as to cause one's death” “unto death” or “to the loss of life and the separation of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended”. Mark shared how Jesus told “Peter, James and John” His “soul” was overcome with “sadness and sorrow” which would be toward His “death”.

The verse goes on to say, “tarry you here, and watch.” Mark added the words, “tarry you here” which means “remain and abide in this place”, “and watch” or “and give attention to, be vigilant and awake”. Mark shared how Jesus told “Peter, James and John” to wait for Him in the place where they were and be “attentive and vigilant” while they waited.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see the effect that this time of prayer had upon Jesus. Though His three disciples with Him, this event affected and troubled Him deeply. “Peter, James and John” were to “wait and watch” while Jesus prayed and interceded on the behalf of Himself and mankind. God incorporated Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane into His plan of salvation for people, and although He was in great sorrow and distress, Jesus endured them while His “followers” were to “wait and watch”.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus, “went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".