Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
Matthew 26:36-45Matthew 26:36-45
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Jesus Prays 36 Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. z the two brothers, James and John: The Greek text has “the two sons of Zebedee” . He was very sad and troubled, 38 and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.” 39 Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don't make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. a having me drink from this cup: In the Scriptures “to drink from a cup” sometimes means to suffer . But do what you want, and not what I want.” 40 He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can't any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you won't be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.” 42 Again Jesus went to pray and said, “My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want.” 43 Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open. 44 He left them and prayed the same prayer once more. 45 Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? b Are you still sleeping and resting?: Or “You may as well keep on sleeping and resting.” The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners.
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Every time I read those verses, I am struck with two thoughts. First I am aware of how weak the disciples were. These were Jesus’ main men. They were his inner-circle, his closest friends on earth. And not once, but three times they were unable to stay awake and support Jesus in the most difficult night of his life. Of course, hind sight is 20/20, and the disciples were unaware of the fact that this was Jesus’ last night of freedom. I like to think that their response would have been different if they had known. But it may not have been. After all, Jesus told them that “his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death”. Surely that would have made them alert to his needs, and energized enough to stay awake…yet still they fell asleep, not once but three times.
The first time Jesus returned, he asked if they could not stay awake for only one hour and pray with him. Then he tells them to watch and pray—not for him, but for themselves, so that they don’t fall into temptation. He knew what they were about to face, and knew that they would need God’s help to make it through. But those weak disciples again are unable to stay awake. When Jesus returns the second time, he does not wake them when he finds them sleeping. At first glance, it may look like he is disgusted with them and is not going to put any more effort into exhorting them to pray. But I think that he understood their frailty and weakness, as he summed up the problem in verse 4, “the spirit is willing, but the body is weak”.
We all share the problem of weakness. We all have experienced times of failure and disappointment in ourselves. We all have had experience where despite our firm desires; our weak flesh has left us wanting. But thanks be to God, forgiveness is always available, and new strength through the power of the Holy Spirit is accessible. We have that distinct advantage over the disciples—his spirit dwells in us when we belong to him. 2 Corinthians 12:92 Corinthians 12:9
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
9 But he replied, “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.
WP-Bible plugin says “’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” What a blessing to have that grace! What a privilege to have his spirit in us, giving us the ability to “stay awake and pray” in the difficult times of life.
The second thought that comes to mind is how amazing are Christ’s patience, acceptance, and forgiveness. I always say that it is a good thing I am not God. I am sure I would have sent a lightening bolt to awaken the disciples the first time, and a rain of fire and brimstone at the second offense! Yet he only gives them a loving response, even though they have abandoned him in his time of need. He is facing death—not just any death, but the sins of all mankind are about to be laid on him. If he ever needed friends to support him, this was the time. But when faced with the disappointment of their weakness, he responded with grace and exhortation. He did not condemn them or belittle them for their weakness. He understood their limitations because he was the one who created those disciples. Psalm 103:13-14Psalm 103:13-14
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
13 Just as parents are kind
to their children,
the Lord is kind
to all who worship him,
14 because he knows
we are made of dust.
WP-Bible plugin says “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” What a great picture of how God loves and accepts us. Just like a father would not condemn or ridicule his own child for falling in an attempt to walk, our heavenly father understands our frailties, and gives us grace and encouragement when we fall. How great is the father’s love for us! How unexplainable and undeserved is his grace!
practice
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Have you “fallen asleep” during a time of crisis?
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If so, have you accepted the grace and forgiveness that God offers you?
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Have you taken advantage of the strength his spirit offers you by allowing him to direct and empower your life?
prayer
Lord Jesus, Thank you that even when I fail and disappoint you, you are always willing to forgive me, no matter how great my failure is. Help me to now allow your Holy Spirit to direct my life so that I can have access to your mighty power. Show me how to live my life in ways pleasing to you, and help me to remain alert in every situation you place me in. It’s in your powerful name I ask these things, Amen
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