After the Last Supper, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to go to the Garden of Gethsemane to watch and pray with Him.
At this point in time, Peter, James, and John have been Jesus’ disciples and have been following Him for a few years. They have been first-hand witnesses to His teachings. They saw Him perform countless miracles, raise the dead, calm the storm, and even walk on water.
They knew that He was the Messiah, the Son of God.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed
Many times during the time He spent with His disciples, Jesus would dip out and leave the crowds and His disciples to be alone to pray. The one time He asked Peter, James, and John to come with Him to watch and pray with Him was that night He knew He was about to be betrayed by Judas, one of his loved disciples. Jesus was heartbroken. He knew this betrayal set forth the events leading to His impending death. I can imagine how distraught He must have been with these thoughts on His mind. Jesus was God, but He was also a man going through the same emotions we go through.
Imagine your loved one knowing they were about to go through the toughest time of their life, and they ask you to sit with them and pray, but instead, you drop the ball. You literally fall asleep as they are on their knees, crying in prayer.
Jesus got up from His knees after praying to check on His disciples only to find them asleep when He needed them most. He came back 3 times. He found them asleep all 3 times!
I’ve done this many times; when I feel Jesus telling me to be on my guard, I drop the ball. When I am supposed to be diligent in prayer and watchful, I fall asleep. I become distracted from the task. I remove my armor when I need it most, and instead of readying myself for battle, I relax. When I’m supposed to be hyper-vigilant, I purposely distract myself from the task at hand. There are times while I am praying, and all I can think about is the kettle I turned on in the kitchen that’s about to boil; I remember that the dryer is done, that I haven’t answered that one email, or worse, I pick up my phone and fall into the black hole of mindless scrolling.
It’s a daily effort to stay on track with my walk with Jesus. I get distracted while I’m following Him. I turn the other way, get sidetracked, or go the wrong way. Sometimes, I feel really strong and determined, but then I take my eyes off Jesus, even for just a moment, and I immediately start to sink. But Jesus is faithful when I find myself lost; He always turns and comes back for me. When I let Him, He always directs me back on the right path. So I gird up my loins, put on my armor, and follow the lamp that He shines along the road.
Only by relying on His strength and direction can I find that I can stay awake, sober-minded, and self-controlled. On my own, I’d still be leaning back, napping under a tree in the Garden of Gethsemane.
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Lovely post mama 🫶🏽
Thank you =)
What a true and honest assessment of our humanity’s. We all have experienced the laps in diligence or the strong distraction that pulls our focus and attention off of the proven source of our strength. I am thankful of the reminder that each day presents us with a new measure of grace and mercy. This story so shows the real battle we find ourselves in, yet I hear the words of Jesus reminding me to be of good cheer He has overcome the world. So my courage takes flight each morning as I rise to engage a new day. I stand strong in the strength the Lord provides and push forward knowing He has me in the palm of his hand. My mind and resolve are renewed as I keep my focus on the scripture “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might”. This posture keeps me focused on allowing His strength to renew my failed efforts, to look always to Him because there is victory in Him. We are lost without Him. But strong and mighty through Him. So my humanity has a savior and redeemer who always has another hope filled chance for my success.
Thank you for visiting the site! We are so blessed by your comment =)
I think if we’re all honest with ourselves, we find ourselves in the same situation as the disciples. I believe that today Jesus is still calling us to break away to pray with him, but like the disciples we choose to allow ourselves to not be attentive.
It’s hard to accept the fact that we do have a choice just as they did and it’s my believe that one of the resources that helps us achieve making good choices and following through is using the power of authentic Community to make ourselves accountable to.
I find it curious that Jesus knew when he invited them that they were going to fall asleep so why bother, because God is intentional there was and still is a lesson for us to learn today we get to choose!
Like it says in Joshua, we have to choose this day who we will follow and serve and take the necessary means or measures to ensure that this happens. I wonder what would have happened if the community that he took with him… the three had chosen to work together, take shifts as opposed to just being there only to fall asleep… what would happen if they were strategic and intentional about wanting to fulfill what Jesus had asked them to do.
It’s no coincidence he took 3 and I believe he had expectations and knew beyond a shadow’s doubt he know what was going to happen, but I believe he allow it so we would learn and choose to not make the same choices.
Thank you for visiting the site! I agree, community is so important it is a blessing to hear what others think. We can learn so much from each other.