Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus came, “unto a place called Gethsemane, and said unto the disciples, Sit you 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 said he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry you here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, 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 you will”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse forty of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus, “came unto the disciples, and found them asleep” where we read:
And he came unto the disciples, and found them asleep, and said unto Peter,
What, could you not watch with me one hour?
The verse reads, “And he came unto the disciples, and found them asleep, ...” Matthew began words, “and he came” which means “and Jesus approached and came forth” “unto the disciples” or “to Peter, James and John”, “and found them” which means “and discovered, recognized and detected Peter, James and John were” “asleep” or “sleeping”. Matthew shared how after Jesus prayed, He found Peter, James and John “sleeping”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and said unto Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour?” Matthew continued with the words, “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto Peter” or “to Peter whose name means little rock or stone and was one of the twelve disciples”, “what, could you not watch with me” which means “in this manner and fashion did the disciples not have the power, force or strength to give attention, be cautious and actively vigilant with Jesus?” “one hour” or “for one certain and definite hour of the day”. Matthew shared how Jesus asked Peter why it was that He could stay awake and be watchful with Him for “one hour” of the day while He prayed.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus marveled that His three disciples, Peter, James and John, were “asleep” while He prayed. They were given one instruction by Jesus as He went to pray, and that was to “be watchful”. They failed. They were tired, and they were “sleeping” while Jesus was pouring out His heart to His Father God. They demonstrated the “frailty” of man as He may purpose to be about God's business, but many times fails at His attempts. God loves people, and though He may challenge them with certain efforts, He desires to have a relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will comprehend their own weakness and submit themselves to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus tells His disciples, “Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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