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| On the night he was betrayed the disciples slept. |
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
And he went a little farther, 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.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
(Matt 26:36-56 KJV)
The disciples slept while tragedy was about to strike their beloved teacher. While Jesus was preparing for his earthly demise by praying the disciples were totally oblivious. It was not as though Jesus had not told them. He had warned them his life would be taken. But, for some reason they were oblivious.
Nuorena Nukkunut or Fallen Asleep While Young written by Frans E. Sillanpaa is the story of The Maid Silja. Silja was, as were so many people of her time and place, oblivious to the tragedy that was stalking the Finnish people and lands. She had a pretty hard life and consequently focused on her own life and the very small circle of people around her. She was asleep as were so many others to what was going on in the larger world until it affected her. She had no clue that there was a movement afoot that would threaten to take their freedoms away.
Years ago, my congregation held an overnight prayer vigil. We were to pray for the church, the community, and the world at large. I was to pray during three very early morning hours as no one else would sign up for them. I knelt next to the baptismal font in front of the altar. My three hours were completed when I woke up to see the husband and wife who were after me kneeling at the altar praying. I had fallen asleep while praying. Falling asleep while praying is not all that an uncommon a thing. Knowing that did not make me feel less guilty for sleeping when I had committed myself to praying.
Even if the disciples had stayed awake they would not have been able to prevent Jesus' persecution and death. There are many things that happen that we cannot control. But, God can and we can stay awake enough to know what is truly going on in the world around us. We can stay awake and we can pray.
The disciples slept as tragedy was about to strike. Even though they could not have stopped it if they had stayed awake. They could have been there for their friend.
Jesus died to make us free; free to love and serve our God and one another. I wonder how many sleep today while many plot to take our freedoms away. They might try. But, God has a plan just as he had a plan for his Son, Jesus.
God's Peace - Pr. J.
