Jesus Disciples Sleeping - Luke 22:45

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that you enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse forty-five of his book Luke shared how Jesus, “rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping” where we read:

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

The verse reads, “And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when he rose up” or “and at the time and moment Jesus arose and stood up” “from prayers” which means “from supplicating, making orations and worshiping”, “and was come to his disciples” or “and appeared and came forth to His students, pupils and attendants”. Luke shared how Jesus “stood up” from “praying” and went to where His “disciples” were located.

The verse continues, “... he found them sleeping for sorrow,” Luke added the words, “he found them sleeping” or “Jesus came upon, learned, discovered and understood that His disciples were slumbering and asleep” “for sorrow” which means “because, since and on account of pain, grief, annoyance and affliction”. Luke shared how Jesus “discovered” His “disciples” were “asleep” because they were “exhausted from grief”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we attempt to think about Jesus rising from His time of “praying”, going to where His “disciples” were and finding them all “asleep”. His “disciples” were “exhausted from grief”, and they began to “slumber” as He prayed. Jesus knows the frailty of people, and He will question His “disciples” for their sleeping, but for now let it suffice us to know He went through this process which included the great “grief and sorrow” so people could be forgiven of their sins and receive everlasting life with His Father God. Those who are wise will understand the great lengths Jesus went so they may live forever with Him and submit themselves to the one who is acquainted with their “grief”. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” (See Isaiah 53:3a)

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says to his disciples, “Why are you sleeping? rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".