Have you ever found yourself nodding off in church? Trying so hard to stay attentive but your eyelids just drop ever so slowly? What, about God’s business would encourage sleep when we should be alert, doers of the word? Could it be that enemy of us all? If we are asleep the good words of God aren’t getting through?
Peter, James and John and the rest of the disciples had been pretty busy that day gathering up what was needed for the Passover meal with the Master. Did they understand that this would be their “Last Supper” with Jesus? Were they uneasy and fearful because of the things Jesus said and did during that meal with them? He would be betrayed? What does He mean? They would defend Him! Was there a sense of impending doom that they couldn’t put their finger on? Did they not understand the suffering that would burden their Master, their Teacher, their Rabbi, their Lord?
Whether it was sorrow as Luke suggested or weariness of a long day or even the enemy intervening, causing a sudden attention deficit. Whatever the cause. Does it make you as sad for Jesus, as it does me? Do you also feel a bit saddened and embarrassed for Peter, James and John? It is pretty safe to say that they were probably considered His closest friends on this earth. Yet, they could not stay with Him in a moment of great struggle. In hours, He was going to die on a cross. The sacrifice that would provide them a way to God. Yet, they could not give Him one hour.
He had walked to them on water. They had walked with Him as He performed miracle after miracle. Watched Lazarus raised from the dead. Jesus feeding a multitude of people with one small lunch. Wouldn’t it have been an honor to be asked to go a bit farther into the night with Jesus? To stand watch while He prayed? Share the moments standing in the gap with prayers while Jesus came to realize exactly what terror He was fixing to experience?
It is shameful to me that three times He came out and found them sleeping. I could understand once perhaps, but to be shaken awake and questioned by the One they referred to as Messiah, three times? Have you ever read that passage of scripture and in your mind say, “Jesus, You could have counted on me! You wouldn’t have to ask me but once to watch and pray. No sir, You would not!”
Thought For Today:
It is then I realize something that grieves me deeply. I would probably have drifted off just like Peter, James and John. Why would I say that? Because since I became a believer, there have been times when I have dozed off. Isn’t that what we do when we sit quietly and let evil take over? Haven’t we been nodding off in our own corner of the garden while prayer was removed from schools? Haven’t we been dozing while Christians are being attacked because of their belief in Jesus Christ? We sit still and don’t speak up against attacks on men and women of God. We are allowing “political correctness” to stifle our witness. When we get an opportunity to share Jesus and don’t because it is uncomfortable…Is that like sleeping? Aren’t we dozing at the Master’s feet?
All is not lost. We still have time to rouse ourselves and pay attention. We can become alert and enlist in God’s army. Enlist as prayer warriors. Get to God’s business. Look for opportunities to share God’s love. When I finally meet Him face to face, the last thing I would ever want to hear is…”Why did you sleep?”
Scripture For Today:
Matthew 26:40
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (NKJV)
Luke 22:45
45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”(NKJV)
Mark 14:41-42
41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” (NKJV)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! You make all things come together for good. You arranged my life so that participation in a Bible study was possible. You placed women of faith all around me and a teacher whose knowledge astounds me. There is a deeper understanding now of exactly what You did for me and all who would believe on You. It is hard to think about what Jesus suffered for us and how easy it is to be distracted from the importance of staying awake, alert and tending to Your business. We pray for renewed energy and willingness to become diligent warriors of prayer. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.