Daily Reading: Mark 14
Scripture Focus: Sit here while I pray. (Mark 14.32)
Devotional Thought: On the eve of Jesus’ arrest and suffering, he went to the Garden of Gethsemane where he prayed. As he entered the sacred space (made sacred by his presence and purpose), he instructed most of his disciples to wait at a distance: “Sit here while I pray.” Those were his only instructions. They were not to do anything but sit, waiting in a position of peaceful anticipation of his return.
What a blessed thought! Jesus has gone to the right hand of the Father where he is making intercession for us. While he is there, he invites us to sit and wait for him – not to fret, not to worry, not to run looking for him. We can sit in peace, knowing that he will return with further instructions.
I am reminded of that scripture: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46.10). Whatever life may throw at us, Jesus is just out of sight, praying for us! As a matter of fact, though we cannot see him, we know that he sees us! When Jesus is praying we can have confidence that all will be well.
But there is another factor in this story. While he prayed, Jesus took his closest friends to a place even closer to the ‘action.’ Those he told to “watch and pray.” Though Jesus was out of sight, he was closer and could respond to them more quickly.
It is a great privilege to sit in peace while Jesus prays, but how much greater to be invited to that closer place! There we have greater intimacy, greater privilege, greater knowledge, and greater responsibility. Let’s go on into the garden of intimacy with Jesus!
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the peace that we have knowing that you are even now making intercession for us at the right hand of the Father. Help us, O Lord, to go further into the garden of prayer that we might know you more. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence. 4 For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. 5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. 6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished. (Psalm 9.1-6)
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