The Difficulties Ahead – Mark 14:32-52

While watching a college football game, it is easy for the spectators to critique the performance of the athletes. Why did they miss that tackle? How did he not see the open receiver in the endzone? What was the coach thinking? This is the case for most people watching the game whether they ever played the sport or not. The truth is that it is easy to critique those in the game when you are not in the game yourself.

In Mark 14:32-52, we read Mark's account of what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus and the disciples had just celebrated the Passover and Jesus had announced some startling news. He told them that one of them would betray Him. The disciples were shocked by this and each asked if it would be him. Jesus also told Peter that he would deny Him three times that night. None of the disciples could believe that one of them would betray Jesus. And Peter announced that he would never deny Jesus.

As we read through the Scripture passage, you might be tempted to look down on the disciples and how they responded. Just remember that you were not there and consider that you would probably have responded in the same way if you were there.