Day 10 :: Stay Awake
“Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41(36-46)
Sleep is one of the most beautiful gifts. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of lying down in bed when you’re exhausted after a long day. Sleep is good for our bodies, our minds, and our souls. On the other hand, sleep can be a sign of laziness or escapism. Too much sleep, or poor sleep patterns can be detrimental to our overall health.
Yesterday we saw Jesus praying in the garden called Gethsemane, part of the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem. Today we’re seeing what the disciples were up to at the same time.
Jesus was praying in deep distress.
The disciples were falling into deep sleep.
“…couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour?” (v40)
Jesus had asked them to stay awake with him. He called on his friends to support him, but he was left alone in his anguish.
Despite Jesus’ requests for them to keep alert and give themselves to prayer, they couldn’t keep their eyes open. It’s understandable, it’s late and they’d had a big meal! But they missed the need for urgency, they were blind to the reality of what was going on, ignorant of this desperate situation.
“Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (v41)
Jesus understood too. He knew their flesh was weak. He knew their bodies needed sleep. He did too. But he also knew that their greater need was prayer so they could be spiritually alert. He knew they would face great temptation ahead.
Peter may have wanted to be all guns blazing in his desire to follow Jesus, but he couldn’t keep up. His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak.
Jesus prayed and remained faithful.
Peter didn’t pray and would go on to deny Jesus.
Three times Jesus went to pray. Three times he returned and found the disciples dozing.
“Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.” (v46)
Jesus woke his disciples one last time with the news that his time had come. They had missed their opportunity to pray. It was all about to kick off.
In the Christian life, we can often be found sleeping, perhaps quite literally for some of us! It is all too easy to kick back and relax, ignorant to the need for vigilant prayer. We can end up surprised when temptation comes, not ready to face it, and before we know it, we’ve fallen into sin, again. Our spirit may be willing to live for Jesus, but our flesh is weak.
Peter had obviously learnt from this lesson when he wrote his letter to Christians years later:
“The end of all things is near; therefore be alert and sober-minded for prayer.”
1 Peter 4:7
He had dozed when his Saviour was about to die, but he wanted to be ready for him coming again and he encouraged others to be awake, alert, and prayerful.
We can only face spiritual battles by turning to the Lord in prayer. If we’re not praying, we’re overconfident and relying on our own strength, and that will never end well.
Jesus is the only one who faced temptation and remained pure. Our only hope of fighting sin is in trusting him and seeking his strength in prayer.
“Are you still sleeping and resting?” (v45)
Today, let’s plan to pray. Let’s take time to pray that we’d have our eyes truly fixed on Jesus. Let’s pray that he would guard us from temptation, particularly the temptation to relax and let our guard down. But let’s pray too that we’d find security knowing that he will bring us home. On that day we’ll find perfect rest, but until then we stay alert.
Passages to read: Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:37-42, Luke 22:45-46
A thought to remember: Jesus call his followers to be alert and pray.
A question to ask: How can you plan for prayer today?
A song to sing: Take Heart