By Chris Chambers
Pastor, Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek
Focal Passage: Mark 14:3-11; 32-36
The disciples were not ready for this. Jesus had taken them to the same garden they had been to multiple times. He had gone off with Peter, James, and John.
The next thing they know, a mob is approaching, and leading the way is one of their own, Judas.
When they arrest Jesus, the disciples flee. They simply were not prepared for that. But why not? They had walked with Jesus for three years and had seen the miracles and heard His teaching. They had also heard Him say He would die. He had tried to prepare them. So why were they not ready? Jesus seemed to be prepared.
What about you? Is Jesus trying to prepare you for something? Maybe He is preparing you for ministry or a mission trip or to teach a Sunday School class.
He may be in the process of preparing you for an upcoming storm or life changing event. Maybe He is preparing you to be a bold witness for Him, unlike his disciples the night He was arrested.
We read in I Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is near; be alert and sober-minded for prayer.” He is trying to prepare us for the end times and the persecution that is coming. Are you ready? Patience may be required as He prepares you. After all, He took three years preparing the disciples, and they still failed Him, initially.
Do you allow Christ to prepare you daily for what you may face? Do you have a quiet time when you read His word and pray?
If you do not, you should follow the example of Christ who prepared Himself for what was to come and prayed to his Father in heaven.
When you go to Him in Bible study and prayer on a daily basis, He prepares you for what you cannot see or know is coming. He prepares the hearts of those who are faithful to Him to face the trials that will come. He prepares you for the daily grind as well as the unexpected.
But you have to be obedient to Him. You have to listen to Him. You have to allow his spirit to move in you and teach you. When Jesus went to the garden that night, He knew what was coming. He began to prepare by praying. He was prepared for the hours that followed. He was prepared for His death through which He was preparing the way for you and me to go to have eternal life in heaven with Him.
Have you prepared to meet Jesus face-to-face? If not, why? There is no time like the present to prepare for eternity. Repent, and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Commit your life to following Jesus. He will prepare a place in heaven for you.
Jesus was prepared to die for you. Are you prepared to live for him?