The Betrayer is at Hand - Mark 14:42

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 said unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry you here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto you; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will. And he came, and found them sleeping, and said unto Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? could you not watch one hour? Watch you and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he came the third time, and said unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners”, and in chapter fourteen and verse forty-two of his book, Mark shared how Jesus said, “he that betrays me is at hand”, where we read:

Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrays me is at hand.

The verse reads, “Rise up, let us go;”. Mark began with the words, “rise up” which means “arouse from sleep and awaken”, “let us go” or “Jesus and His disciples were lead away and direct themselves away from where they were”. Mark shared how Jesus awakened Peter, James and John and directed them to leave where they were.

The verse goes on to say, “lo, he that betrays me is at hand.” Mark continued with the words, “lo, he that betrays me” which means “look, behold and be aware the man who is going to deliver Jesus over to the religious leaders” “is at hand” or “is nearby and come near”. Mark shared how Jesus told His disciples that His “betrayer” was near them.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus anticipated what would happen to Him. After he allowed His disciples to sleep for a while, He awoke them and informed them that the time for His “betrayal” had come. Jesus willingly walked through these things and surrendered His will to His Father God's so that people could be “saved” from their “sins”. Those who are wise will “awaken” from their “spiritual sleep” and understand that Jesus knew the timing of His “betrayer” and submitted to him so people may forever live with God.

Next time Mark shares how “immediately, while he yet spake, came Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude”, 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".