No time for sleeping
This is not the time for sleeping, keep praying (Matthew 26:41)
Stay alert!
In this crazy thing called life, everyone is buzzing around from “can to can’t”, from “sun-up to sun-down”, “burning the candle at both ends” and then crashing in bed at night only to start the race over again the next morning. With this level of anxiety and stress, many can’t even sleep for worrying about the next day’s responsibilities.
Often people joke that they will sleep when they die, until then they are running wide open. Others say they can’t sit still; they would go nuts without a full schedule. One woman talked about how stressed she was and how her calendar was so full, then stated, I made it that way because I would lose my mind if I didn’t stay busy.
These same people say that they don’t have time to spend with God in His Word because they are to busy. Another woman who is retired and single said that she fills her days but doesn’t have time to study God’s Word. She said her pastor suggested she block out FIVE MINUTES A WEEK!!! for time with God. In the conversation where she shared this story, she was proud of herself for accomplishing that “task.”
This is what is wrong with our world today! Everyone is rejecting God, while fighting their battles in their own strength, then getting mad at God when they lose the battle. No one can find the time for God, but want to blame Him when things don’t go their way. It’s mind-boggling really.
Humans are denying the very source of love, joy, hope, and peace, while exhaustively searching the whole world looking for those very things that only God provides.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” Matthew 23:37
But I’m a good Christian
You say, I’m a good person. I go to church, I tithe, I serve at church, I donate to charity, I don’t steal, or murder.
Guess what? Those tasks won’t get you to Heaven.
In fact, Jesus has a response to those task masters that don’t know Him personally who want to get in:
“But he answered, ‘Indeed! I tell you, I don’t know you!’” Matthew 25:12
“Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.” Luke 13:26-27
He is coming to get those who know Him; those who love Him. He’s coming for those with whom He has a personal relationship; the ones that put Him first in their life as they put all their hope in Him.
Is that you? Are you ready? If not, drop to your knees now and pray. No matter what happens in your life after that moment of surrender to Him, trust that He will do what He says He will do. No matter what comes your way, TRUST HIM ONLY!
Jesus’ followers MUST be willing to die for their faith in Him. Don’t forget that. Remember, death of our bodies means eternity with Him. Hold on to that promise from Him.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1
“So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:6
“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:13
But I love God, He knows that.
In Matthew 26, we read about Peter and his boldness in assuring Jesus how much he loved Him and how he would always be there for Him and would die for Him.
Peter had been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry. He had witnessed so many miracles and had learned first-hand at the feet of Jesus. He knew and loved Him, but when the first sign of trouble arose Peter denied knowing Him; not once, but three times.
Jesus did not come to condemn sinners but to save them. His whole mission was to offer us salvation and forgiveness of our sins. Peter who truly loved Jesus so much, had pride issues that Jesus patiently worked on. He needed Peter to understand that apart from Jesus he could do nothing. Peter kept doing and saying things out of the pride in his heart. Jesus was trying to teach him how to operate out of a state of humbleness.
Peter would discover after the resurrection, that Jesus wasn’t upset with his actions and had not come back to scold him. Rather, Jesus showed even more love towards Peter.
I’ve got your back Jesus, you can count on me
Part of Peter’s training included learning to “stay alert.” Observe.
In Matthew 17, Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to go up the mountain with Him as He prayed. It was then that the three men witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration moment, and the appearance and conversation between Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. Peter was so excited that he jumped right in and said he would build them each a tent. That offer did not come from a heart of humbleness.
Then in Matthew 26:37, we see Jesus invite those same three men up the mountain again to “watch” while He prayed. This time was different though, it was the night Jesus would be arrested. Scripture says that Jesus was very sorrowful and in agony to the point His sweat turned into blood. He specifically asked the three men to “watch, stay awake and pray.”
When He took a break from praying and went back to His friends, they were all asleep. He was disappointed and asked them if they couldn’t stay awake just one hour while He prayed. It wasn’t that Jesus was disappointed in them, He knew they were human. His purpose in asking them to watch and pray was for their safety and preparedness for what was to come. Jesus is trying to teach us to be ever watchful and to constantly pray because the enemy is continually seeking whom he can devour. We discover later that Peter did finally learn the lesson that Jesus was teaching him in that moment because Peter teaches this same lesson to others. (This is a great example of teaching others what Jesus teaches us.)
“Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
During that same lesson, Jesus went off again to pray. When Jesus returned He observed that they were asleep again and doesn’t say anything as He goes off to pray a third time. Jesus knows the flesh is weak and let them sleep. He never stopped loving His children and never lost patience as He taught them.
Jesus continues to teach His chosen ones to stay awake and be ready.
What does Jesus’ love look like?
We learn many things through this story. One is that Jesus needed His chosen ones to be there for Him when He needed them most. He loves them so much that when they let Him down, He forgives them and keeps doing what God called Him to do. He goes back to praying and preparing for His death as a human.
Jesus understands that the flesh is weak. He knows that His devoted children mean well and are trying their best to follow His ways. He never stopped giving His grace and mercy to those who follow Him.
In the Gospel of Matthew, as you read the story of Jesus’ life, you learn that Peter wanted to be the leader of the disciples and wanted to be Jesus’ favorite, but he kept letting his pride get in the way. We also see that while Jesus taught and disciplined each time, He never stopped loving Peter. Jesus knew Peter was created to be a leader with a zealous heart, so He was very patient with him in these prideful zealous moments. It was evident when Peter was trying to help Jesus, he was always trying to say and do the right thing that he believed Jesus would want. Jesus continued to pour out His love, grace, and mercy as He patiently taught Peter to utilize his zealousness from a humble heart.
Forgiving yourself is required
It didn’t matter how much Jesus loved Peter or forgave him, Peter couldn’t forgive himself for letting Jesus down. Once that cock crowed, Peter fell into depression. (Matthew 26:74) Peter was inconsolable. So much so that he didn’t appear at Jesus crucifixion. (Luke 23:34)
If wasn’t until after Jesus’ resurrection, and He appeared to Peter, did he snap out of his depression. He expected Jesus never to forgive him. What he discovered was that Jesus’ grace and mercy still flowed as did His love. Peter had spent days believing the lies that he let Jesus down and that he could never forgive himself because he believed Jesus wouldn’t either. He was taught by Jesus and experienced His love firsthand and was still able to believe the lies the enemy put in his head.
Let that be an encouragement for you that if Peter can mess up and fall into depression and then allow Jesus to snap him out of it and turn his life around, He will do the same for you!
DON’T BELIEVE THE LIES FROM THE ENEMY! Jesus loves you. He does NOT condemn you. He forgives you, and pours His love, grace and mercy on you. Turn back to Him and listen to His truth.
Stay alert! Be prepared! No time for sleeping!
Jesus appeared a number of times to His disciples after His resurrection to encourage and teach them. He continued to give special attention to teaching Peter as He brought him out of his unforgiveness stupor and encouraged him to feed His sheep. He takes special care with all of His children who need it. Jesus wants to heal you so that you can feed His sheep.
Jesus met with each of the disciples on the hill in Galilee after His resurrection and filled them with His Holy Spirit and gave them authority to go make people from all nations His disciples. (Matthew 28:17-20)
That is your Purpose too!
Feed His sheep!
Scripture shows readers 25 times to “Stay Alert!” in the Second Testament of the Bible. God teaches us to be ready countless times throughout His entire Word.
His Holy Bible has been all about teaching us about how much He loves us, and how He wants to spend eternity with us. Everything He has done, He has done for us to plan our eternity with Him in Heaven.
Are you ready? Are you prepared?
He has given us signs to be ready and what to look for to be prepared for His return.
Turn to Him wholeheartedly and ask Him to make you ready today!
May God bless you and keep you.