9/5/2020
Matthew
26:40 “Watch with Me.”
Matthew 26:40
tells of the hours leading up to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. In the Garden
of Gethsemane, Jesus asked a few of His disciples to “keep watch” with Him as
He prayed. V. 39 “Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground
and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet
not as I will, but as You will.” When Jesus returned, He found the disciples
sleeping. V. 40&41 “Then He returned to His disciples and found them
sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with Me for one hour?’ He asked Peter. ‘Watch
and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but
the flesh is week.” Later in the chapter, Peter denied Jesus. The flesh is week
indeed; it was for Peter, as it is for us. Whenever we take our eyes off of
Jesus, we can easily fall.
These men
were with the Savior of the word, yet still did not truly understand what was
to happen. Jesus asked them to watch with Him, to be in that moment with Him,
and they failed to do so. We are told they actually fell asleep two other times
as Jesus went again to pray. After the third time, as Jesus was speaking to
them, Judas arrived and Jesus was arrested. His disciples had missed being with
Jesus for those last few precious moments. After His arrest, they fled.
Is Jesus
asking me to keep watch with Him? During this time of personal and global
uncertainty, is my spirit willing but flesh weak? Chambers writes, “Our Lord is
trying to introduce us to identification with Himself in a particular
Gethsemane, and we will not go; we say—‘No Lord, I cannot see the meaning of
this, it is bitter.’ We do not know to watch with Him; we are only used to the
idea of Jesus watching with us.” Am I all take when it comes to my relationship
with Jesus? Is this period of time a “particular Gethsemane” where Jesus is
asking us to keep watch with Him, and trying to introduce me to that most
profound identification with Him?
2 comments:
This was one of my favorite verses to teach and talk about with my students. There was so much in what Jesus was asking the apostles to do!!! And although they failed, this verse also always fave me hope. These were His chosen - the men who would build His church up and they failed Him but it didn't change the roles they played. PETER!! PETER denies Him three times and he is still the rock that His church was created upon. Yes they failed Jesus but Jesus never failed them. Just like His love never fails.
I don't know - your blogs bring me back to my classroom and remind me how much I miss teaching about Jesus!!!!
Thanks Lehann for your wisdom, your dedication, and allowing yourself to be Jesus' vessel of information.
Jesus used you in such a powerful way with your students for many many years. The lessons you imparted to them will be carried in their minds, hearts, and souls for the rest of their lives. They were so blessed to have you.
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