Misplaced Faith

Have you ever considered yourself a servant or been told you are; someone who had rather put others ahead of yourself? Have you ever completely put yourself in a position that could ultimately put your life in danger in order to help a friend or loved one? Have you ever been there to help someone turning every ounce of energy to them without regards for your own wellbeing? Sometimes we can get worn down or even torn down. Then, the tables are turned and you are the one in need. But disappointment prevails rather than help. Jesus knew that disappointment and even that hurt.

Mark 14: 32-41
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
37Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
39Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus’ disciples could be referred to in our day as best friends. They had been through so much together during their travels together. Jesus had taken care of His best friends. He had taught them, fed them, given them rest and assurance. He had shared some of His inner most secrets with them. Imagine guys, sitting around watching a ball game with your best pals; or ladies, sitting around over coffee or shopping together for those “to die for” pair of shoes. Guys and ladies, during your “man” or “girl” times you are sharing little intimate secrets with your best guy or gal friends. This is the relationship Jesus had with His disciples. Jesus knew He could depend on His friends. After all, haven’t they been through the toughest of times together? Couldn’t they depend on each other even to the ends of the earth? Of course! That’s what friends (especially friends as close as they were) do for each other.

The time was closing in for Jesus. He knew the time was close at hand for Him. This was the “dark” time where He could really use His friends. He carried them up to Gethsemane. He knew He needed to pray and that He could use someone lifting Him up in prayer. We all know how that is, don’t we? Sometimes we just need to know that there is someone who is in constant prayer for us. There are those times when we are in a “dark” time where we need someone praying for us. Sometimes during those times we find it hard ourselves to pray.

Jesus even told His friends that He was deeply distressed and troubled. All He asked of them was for them to sit and keep watch while He prayed. I would have thought (seeing as how they were such close friends) that they would have offered to pray with Jesus or at least pray for Jesus while He went farther into the garden to pray himself.

What happened! Jesus came back and found His friends in deep distress with Him? Jesus found them with their faces buried carrying the burden for Jesus in prayer? No! He found them asleep! Jesus came up to them and said “What?! You mean you couldn’t even stay awake for an hour for me?!” Jesus left them again and went back into the garden to pray. He came back again to the same scene as before. His friends were asleep again. This time it was too late. They were coming after Jesus.

In your deepest darkest trials, do you have friends you can count on or do they fall asleep during their watch? I’m sure we have all had friends or even been a friend like the disciples. I’m sure the disciples loved Jesus and in their hearts they wanted to do all they could for Him. But, Jesus knew his friends were human and they could only do so much. As humans we become tired, weak, frail and even undependable. We mean well, but the human aspect will only allow us to do just so much. Jesus went to the only source He knew He could count on and that would never leave nor forsake Him. He turned to His Father.

We should not put our faith solely in family or friends. Humans will disappoint you; sometimes unintentionally but regretfully, sometimes intentionally. As we go through trials and tribulations we need to keep our focus on God. He is the true and ultimate best friend. He is the one we can always depend on and will always have our best interest at heart.

If you are struggling with something that you feel is more than you can handle alone or you don’t know which way to turn; turn toward God. Jesus did. He could have talked with His friends, but He knew the One He needed to seek. You don’t have to carry your burdens alone. His shoulders are wider than ours and His strength is 100 times greater than ours. Let Him carry them for us. He is your best friend and He is waiting for you to ask for His help.