WEDNESDAY April 1, 2026
Ready or Not?
“...The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Mark 14:41-42
Jesus called His disciples to get up and get going; the hour had come, and His betrayer was at hand. They went, but they were not ready for what was about to happen, nor were they strengthened, as their Master was, for His hour of suffering. Why? They had failed to watch and pray.
Mark’s Gospel reveals that Jesus had come to them three times to ask them to watch and pray. Now it was too late; they had run out of time to pray. Jesus told them: “...It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners” (Mark 14:41).
Ready or not, Judas was approaching the secluded garden with a detachment of troops and other men––sinners who hated the Lord: ...a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders (Mark 14:43). Judas had even made a well-thought-out plan with these sinful men to help identify Jesus: Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely” (Mark 14:44).
The plan was successfully enacted: As soon as he [Judas] had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Then they [the multitude] laid their hands on Him and took Him (Mark 14:45-46). Distraught, one of the disciples, in his own strength, decided to help Jesus and drew his sword. He was only successful in cutting off a chief priest’s servant’s ear (Mark 14:47). Who was the disciple? Yes, impulsive Peter cut off Malchus’ ear (John 18:10). Sadly, Mark 14:50 records: Then they all forsook Him and fled.
You never know what a day may bring. If you neglect to watch and pray, you will not be strengthened to face the trials ahead. Ready or not, the day will begin, with or without prayer. How can you stay with Jesus if you fail to pray? In the end, you may forsake Him.
How can you expect to dwell with God forever if you so neglect and forsake Him here?
~Jonathan Edwards~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
