July 26, 2020

Mark 14:32-42 (NIV)

³² They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³ He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ³⁴ “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

³⁵ Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour^(D) might pass from him. ³⁶ “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

³⁷ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? ³⁸ Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

³⁹ Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. ⁴⁰ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

⁴¹ Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴² Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Key Text: Mark 14:32-42

On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus took his disciples to Gethsemane and asked them to keep watch with him as he wrestled in prayer and prepared for the things to come. Three times he prayed to the Father and three times he found the disciples sleeping.

As we read this text, we can seemingly hear the disappointment in Jesus voice as he speaks to his disciples and says, “Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?” and “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough!”

I believe that we too are at a critical time in the plan of God. The question is, will we be found sleeping when Jesus returns, or will we WAKE UP and take an active role in what is taking place in these last days?

For us, in these days in which we are living, I believe there are three things we need to wake up to.

Wake up…

1. To your spiritual responsibilities
2. The enemy is at hand
3. Gods plans are just beginning