According to the account in the gospel of... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

He (Jesus) took Peter, James and John with him, and he began to be troubled and deeply distressed.
Mark 14:33.

According to the account in the gospel of Mark the disciples Peter, James and John were deemed worthy to be present as witnesses of three particular occurrences.

They were there when the Lord raised Jairus' dead daughter to life (ch. 5:37). They were also eye-witnesses when the Lord was transfigured on the mountain (ch. 9:2). Finally He wanted them to share His feelings in Gethsemane in view of the agony of His coming crucifixion (today's verse). We thus learn that these three disciples particularly were well acquainted with Jesus, and we, too, as a consequence.

On all three occasions death played a part, and none of us can escape its influence. The twelve-year-old girl was raised to life, and the Lord proved publicly that He is the Saviour from death. On the mount of transfiguration two men appeared with Him: Moses and Elijah, the former had died, the latter was taken to heaven alive. But death had no power over those believers.

However, we feel it most when we see the Lord's struggle in the garden of Gethsemane in view of His death. It no longer concerned others, but Himself and His own life. He was to pass through death according to God's counsel. So there on that night He was already suffering as He sensed what would happen a few hours later at Golgotha.

He had to die in order to become the Saviour for us who deserved death for our sin. Therefore He deserves our worship and love eternally.

Today's reading: Leviticus 27:1-15 · Psalms 72:8-14