Sunday Morning Podcast October 11, 2015. Bro.Richard Lehman.
TEXT: MATTHEW 26:36-41
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Jesus was in great agony while praying in the garden of Gethsemane. This was His most earnest prayer, for the greatest burden He had ever borne. He knew his crucifixion was imminent. Like any would, He desired prayer and support for what He was to face. In Luke 22:41, it says, it was only a stone’s cast (or throw) away, where Christ’s disciples waited while He went to pray alone. Jesus had instructed them to tarry and watch with Him. Although the disciples were sad for the hour at hand, they did not travail in prayer, so sleep overtook them. The reality is that “our flesh” will not give grace and victory over our spiritual battles. We remain captive to it, unless we are spiritually watching, ( Matthew 26:41). This was also true for Jesus, who desired the support of the disciples. It took Jesus (who was also of flesh), to agonize in prayer, to claim the victory. Christ’s sacrifice was for all men to be saved, “awake,” and united in His Church.
In Christ’s earnestness of prayer, His human will had to become “broken” in order to win the victory for His monumental sacrifice. Our will must also become broken to gain the victory over severe trials, ..through watching and praying. Because the disciples didn’t travail in prayer, they in sleep, became “disconnected” from the burden. This resulted in them not fully comprehending the grievous need. This is sometimes the case today with God’s people. If not endeavoring in prayer for spiritual needs all around us, we also will become disconnected from carrying a soul burden, even if we are “close by.” If spiritually asleep, ..we will not be able to present our life “a living sacrifice” as a true servant of Christ (Romans 12:1). In our text, (Matthew 26:36-41), Jesus is essentially asking us to stop sleeping spiritually by watching and praying. When we ‘watch’ in prayer, (not allowing fleshly distractions), God’s Will, will be done.
Where are we, …in terms of our spiritual life? Watching in prayer? Or sleeping a stone’s throw away.