Are you sleeping?

Luke 22:45-46, “And when He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” The Garden of Gethsemane is where Jesus went to pray. In verse 40 He tells them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” The account of what Jesus prayed is given in Luke 22:42-44. Just as the disciples did not fully understand Jesus’s purpose in providing salvation or the depth of God’s love for man, we sometimes sleep and not be in prayer during critical moments in our life. Jesus spoke to the disciples prior to entering the garden regarding their discussion of who would betray Him. The disciples were in a dispute which one was the greatest follower. These verses show us how the disciples measured their loyalty and devotion to Christ. The disciples did not understand what would soon happen to Jesus and were measuring themselves according to what they had done while Jesus was among them. He warns them that reclining at the table is not greater than serving. After telling Simon that Satan has demanded he be sifted like wheat, Jesus told him “He has prayed that his faith would not fail and when Peter had turned again that he may strengthen his brothers.” Peter, however, did not realize he would soon deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed. With fleshly conviction, he told Jesus he was willing to go to prison and death for the Lord. Jesus warned the disciples that when He had sent them out without purse and bag they lacked nothing. However, now they would need purse and bag, to buy a sword to be prepared to serve. Prayer is our sword against the enemy. Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith to not fail. He told the disciples to pray so as not to enter into temptation. Jesus prayed that God’s will be done and an angel from heaven appeared to Him to strengthen Him for what was coming. Jesus prayed so fervently that His sweat became blood. Yet, the disciples slept. Jesus’s words to them after finding them sleeping were “Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Too often we miss how critical praying is. It isn’t just uttering words. We are equipping ourselves for battle. Coming to God brings us the strength to endure, to renew our faith, to seek His will in our lives. Without it we make empty promises like Peter. We tell God we are ready to go to prison and death, yet we sleep when we should be praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”