This week’s Pastor to Person was written by Pastor Franklin Garcia.
Jesus and the disciples went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” …Then He returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” He said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”Mark 14:32-38
The garden of Gethsemane was in the Mount of Olives and means “oil press or place where olive is pressed”. This was the place where Jesus and Peter were going to be tested.
The suffering and death on the cross were near. Jesus prayed again and again to remain faithful to the will of God. Peter on the other hand, had not been able to stay awake for even an hour. He relied on his own strength. He was not able to pass the test. He fled to safety and set aside his loyalty to God. On the other hand, Jesus stood firm and faithful to God’s plan.
The trials of this life are inevitable, and we are going to feel the pressure when they come. If we want to remain faithful to God’s will and sovereignty for our lives, we need to remain alert in prayer so that we don’t rely on our own strength but instead in the Spirit. By doing this we will be able follow Jesus’ example of obedience and faithfulness to God.