Daily Devotion for March 5, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPASSIONATE Christ

"Watch and Pray"

 

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."  Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.  When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.  Mark 14: 37-40

 

During a break in His torment, Jesus made His way back to the three disciples, but found them asleep. Perhaps they had no idea of the solemnity of the hour, or perhaps they sought sleep to escape from the fear of tomorrow, either way they slept. Peter was singled out, partly because he seemed to be the natural leader, partly because he had singled himself out not long before (v. 29, 31). Calling him by his old name Jesus pleaded with Simon Peter to summon up the strength to stay awake. An hour had passed. It may have seemed an eternity to the disciples, distressed as they were, but it must have seemed longer to Jesus, when every moment was stretched to its limit.

 

Again, Jesus asked them to watch with Him, this time so that they should not fall into the temptation of doubt or despair. We can imagine them blinking, rubbing their eyes or yawning in embarrassment: they were only human and the flesh was weak. So weak, in fact, that when Jesus left for a second time, even though they fought it, they soon dropped off again. How many times Jesus' gentle words have been used as an excuse, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." From His lips it is a gracious apology on our behalf, from anyone else's it is an excuse to allow our emotions to rule our wills. Yes, we are weak, but God is the source of our strength. We do not need to behave like beasts.

 

On His return, they had no excuse, so made none. Even as He made His way back to His lonely vigil their eyes grew heavy, and closed. They did not know it: His time had almost come.

 

Prayer
Dear Father, so many times you ask me to be faithful to your will and I fall asleep on the job.  Forgive me for not being faithful, for not being obedient, for not being willing to sacrifice as you did for me.  Help me to see and respond to the urgency of your voice to stand by you as you stand by me.  Amen

 

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