Saturday, February 13, 2016
Matthew 26:36-45 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
LOOK AT YOUR SAVIOR'S HANDS -- HANDS THAT PRAY!
It's easy to focus on those "foolish disciples" who couldn't stay awake to help support, protect, or take another lesson from Jesus for even one short hour. It's easy to poke fun at them, but it should be easier to think, "I'm just as guilty."
Again, a second time, Jesus went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy" (Matthew 26:42-43).
The weariness of this world also makes our eyes heavy with anxiety, frustration, and disappointment in our failures to stay faithful to Jesus.
"So Jesus left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, 'Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners'" (Matthew 26:44-45).
Rather than just focusing on ourselves and where we've fallen, look at your Savior's hands -- hands which repeatedly pray not just for strength for your weak flesh, but are praying as He goes to sacrifice His flesh on the cross once and for all for you!
