Mark 14:38

CHRIST’S EXHORTATION

‘Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.’

Mark 14:38

A special exhortation, addressed to particular persons, but it has a general meaning. Consider the circumstances set out in the text. What is its practical application?

I. The precept is one, but the idea is twofold—(a) preparation, (b) expectancy. The Lord tells disciples to watch, to look out for something they have reason to expect. He also tells them to pray—not vague prayer, but prayer with a purpose. Prayer should be the attitude of the Christian while he is awaiting the conflict.

II. Its reason—‘that ye enter not into temptation.’ Not the same thing as ‘being tempted’—that is often necessary and wholesome. But that they should not dally with temptation, pushing themselves into dangerous situations from a false confidence in themselves.

III. These lessons specially applicable at Lenten season. The natural tendency of man is to neglect watchfulness and prayer, and so the Church very wisely sets sets apart a time when these duties are forced upon our attention. Is Lent as well observed as it might be? The whirl of modern life has made devotion and meditation far more difficult than they used to be; it is, therefore, doubly necessary that stated times should be set apart for consideration of our spiritual concerns.

—Rev. Barton R. V. Mills.

Illustration

‘To watch implies not to be taken up with other things. If the porter sleeps, fire may break out. If the sentinel’s attention is diverted (2 Timothy 2:4), the enemy arrives, unexpected. Worldly cares, riches, honour, pleasure, must be so kept under that spiritual sight and hearing be not deadened. Asleep, off his guard, taken up with this life, the Christian is an easy prey.’

(SECOND OUTLINE)

WORDS FROM GETHSEMANE

Let us consider the suitability of the command to those exposed to temptation.

I. The two parts together form the safeguard.—Watching supplies materials for prayer. Prayer makes watching effectual. To pray only is presumption. To watch only is to depend on self.

II. The command also suits us because of the enemy’s subtlety.—We need to discover his wiles by watching. We pray for wisdom to discern his specious assaults.

III. And because of our own weakness.—Compare Mark 14:29; Mark 14:31; Mark 14:67.

IV. It is also suitable in consequence of our Lord’s appointment.—The battle is His. He appoints its laws. And He has said, ‘Watch and pray.’

The command speaks thus to true disciples. What does it say to those who are careless and unbelieving? ‘If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?’

Rev. W. S. Bruce.

Illustration

‘Here are we all to suffer, walking lonely

The path that Jesus once Himself hath gone;

Watch thou this hour in trustful patience only,

This one dark hour before the eternal dawn:

And He will come in His own time from Heaven,

To set His earnest-hearted children free;

Watch only through this dark and painful even,

And the bright morning yet will break for thee.’