The Hero Christ (Mark 14:27-52)

27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.

32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled. 51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.

In this passage, we have a determined Jesus and ineffective disciples. Let's look at both, starting with Jesus.

A Determined Jesus

Jesus is the hero of the Bible (Revelation 19:10). It all testifies about him (Luke 24:27). Clearly, he is the hero of this passage as well. But how was Jesus so determined? And how did he gain the strength he needed for his arduous journey? How did he get what he needed to climb Mt. Calvary?

1. He Found Solace in the Word

First, Jesus found solace in God's word. Zechariah 13:7 foretold what Jesus was about to endure. He quoted it to his disciples: "You will all fall away, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered'" (27). This short passage of Scripture convinced Jesus of two things: that his disciples would scatter from him and that his death would be from the Father. The Father would strike him. Oddly enough, this ended up comforting Jesus. He could remain confident that even though the Father had to strike him, had to turn his face away from him, had to "forsake" him, this was all part of God's plan. Jesus had a work to accomplish. This was the plan of the Triune God. And, after hours of darkness full of the cup of God's judgment, Jesus would cry out, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). He would complete the work of God, the plan of God. The word of God can become a book of solace for you. And I don't mean the obviously encouraging portions. Of course, those sections can minister to your heart. But there is something about its chaotic, dark, and tumultuous parts that can also comfort you. Through it all, God is in control, moving things forward for his ultimate purpose. 2. He Hoped in the Resurrection Second, Jesus hoped in the resurrection. Notice how, immediately after quoting a passage that predicted his disciples would abandon him, Jesus said, "But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee" (28). He'd predetermined to meet his followers on their home turf, far from Jerusalem, back in the humble region of Galilee, after his resurrection. The gospel writers record some of the post-resurrection meetings with Jesus. Some occurred in and near Jerusalem, but others took place in Galilee. One, in particular, captured Paul's attention:

1 Corinthians 15:6 (ESV) — 6: "...he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep." Jesus foresaw this meeting in advance, and it gave him hope. This confidence helped Jesus endure his hour of trial. He knew he would rise from the dead. In Genesis, Abraham was convinced God would raise Isaac from the dead to fulfill his promises, and Jesus was also convinced he would rise (Hebrews 11:19). Nothing could stop him. He would rise and usher in resurrection life for all who believe in him. Resurrection hope can strengthen even the dimmest Christian soul. Because Jesus secured a resurrection for his people, we can have confidence today. Wrongs will be righted, true justice will be meted out, and immortality will come to these bodies of weakness. 3. He Endured Aloneness on His Mission Third, Jesus endured aloneness on his mission. He seems to have wanted, more than anything, companionship with his friends and his Father in heaven during this night. Though they'd deny him, Jesus took his disciples to the secret place of prayer. He invited three of them further into the garden. And he cried out to God, calling him "Abba, Father" (36). About to suffer alone, Jesus thirsted for closeness with others. It is fascinating to consider how Jesus felt furthest from others and God when he was closest to the Father's will. The closer the cross came, the more miserable he felt. His disciples were distant from him in that garden and eventually fled from him once he was arrested there. And, on the cross, he cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). But, the whole time, he was in the center of God's will. He was living his best life. We live in an age that runs from discomfort and instead pursues personal happiness. Whatever brings us personal fulfillment must be pursued. But the result is more depression, sadness, and brokenness than we know what to do with. It doesn't pay to value the self over others. In the wake of the pursuit of happiness are hurt people, chaotic families, and unsatisfied individuals. But Jesus endured all that aloneness and the feelings of despair to remain in the current of God's will. Sometimes God's plan hurts, and Jesus was game. 4. He Resolved to Carry Out His Purpose Fourth, Jesus resolved to carry out his purpose. He called it his "cup." Some have scoffed at Jesus' plea before the Father in the garden, pointing out that many martyrs of various philosophies and religions have died with more boldness and honor. They ridicule Jesus' request that this cup pass from him. But these mockers do not understand Jesus' cup. No one else has ever died as a representative for the entire human race. Adam had sinned and became the forefather of a race of sinners. But just as one man's sin brought death, so one man's death would bring sinless life (Romans 5:17). No one else has ever had the weight of the world’s sins placed onto his body. Paul said that Jesus became sin for us while on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). I cannot imagine the gruesomeness of that experience. For comparison, I think of modern jobs where police or social media companies are required to review the most debased online behaviors. But Jesus subsumed the sin of the world into his body while on the cross. No one else has felt the entire rush of Satan's venom. He had tempted Jesus in the wilderness, but after failing, he departed until an "opportune time" (Luke 4:13). I am prone to think this was the opportune moment. He feels present, lurking in the shadows, vexing our Lord. And no one else has ever had the eternal and unbroken love of the Father and Spirit severed for a moment because of the alien presence of sin. From eternity past, every time the Son had turned to the Father, a rush of love was released, and joy bubbled forth. Father, Spirit, and Son in perfect harmony and fellowship -- the three, one. But with our sin on him, Jesus would be alone, separated as the Father struck him. This was the cup Jesus would drink -- and had begun to drink in that garden. And the intensity of this cup hit him that night. But in prayer, he prayed the pinnacle of all prayers: "Yet not what I will, but what you will" (36). His prayers did not exist to conform the Father to his will but to conform his will to the Father's. This is the best form of prayer: total honesty, total communion, and total vulnerability. But he landed on submission to God. And how could Jesus arrive at such a conclusion? The secret is found in the opening of his prayer. He said, "Abba, Father" (36). Abba is a tender title used by young Jewish children to address their fathers. Even with a heightened sense of the doom he was about to enter, Jesus was able to see God as his loving and gentle papa. And Jesus parlayed this closeness with the Father into the most daring and vital act of human history.