One of the significant events of Jesus' last week was His time of prayer in the Garden. After the triumphal entry, the Last Supper, and washing His disciples' feet—but before His betrayal and arrest—the Son of God was alone with His Father, praying. It was late, and those with Him stayed behind and fell asleep while He prayed.
I do much of my own praying well before dawn, and always have a coffee with me. It helps me wake up, but it occurs to me that Jesus prayed without coffee!
Three times Jesus prayed that night. But he found his disciples sleeping. I guess they didn’t have coffee either.
"What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:40-41)
"Simon, are you asleep? Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?" (Mark 14:37-38)
"Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation." (Luke 22:40)
The point isn’t about caffeine, but about our being spiritually alert and in prayer.
Our inability to stay spiritually alert highlights our frailty and struggle against spiritual sluggishness. We must remain vigilant against spiritual dangers and humbly, rely on the Lord’s divine strength.
How many of us have drifted from Him? Or lost our first love? Have we compromised our lives, merely going through motions, hiding our faith from colleagues or friends?
I am no different than those disciples in the Garden on the night Jesus was betrayed. When we find ourselves weary and in temptation, we also need to watch and pray.
Jesus sweat drops of blood, yet I can struggle to stay alert even with coffee. O Lord, so gracious to hear my cry, even though I am weak and prone to wander. I come now—let me watch with you.
And you, be watchful in your spiritual life because of the ongoing presence of spiritual conflicts. We are inclined toward physical weakness, so let us lean on God's strength through prayer. This is a valuable tool for spiritual resilience and connection with the Lord. Peter's sleeping is a reminder of our need to guard and protect our time and attention to prayer.
So watch with Jesus, and pray that you do not fall into the same temptation. And be vigilant for His return!
