Gethsemane

Gethsemane

Matthew 26:31-46

Both in Gethsemane and previously at the Transfiguration, these three guys fell asleep. At the last supper, they all had pledged to Jesus they had his back. Sure they did. But wait a sec! Before I jump all over them, what about me? And you? When should we have stood up for something or someone and were asleep on the job. When should we have prayed and fell asleep or let our minds wander all over the countryside?

The three dudes here formed some kind of “inner circle” among the 12 members of Jesus's gang. For whatever reason, he seems to have chosen this triad for some special training or experiences. But on this night, they let Him down. Asked especially to support Him, they promptly fell asleep. Jesus paused in his praying and checked on the guys. Maybe He wanted to share more of what was happening or His feelings about it all. Maybe He just wanted to call again for their support. But when He looked in at them, all He could hear was snoring. Takeaway? Maybe that sometimes even the best of us is asleep at the switch, fails our master. Maybe not to brag if you can't deliver?

Jesus's prayer was simple. He was asking the Father to change His plans. As a human being, Jesus was recoiling from going through what He was going to have to. This tells us by the way, that it's ok t ask God to allow us to use plan B or C. Sometimes He will, but that night God said no, and Jesus accepted it.

“Thy will be done.” I fear we toss this phrase around too much and too lightly. Note that Jesus included it in the Lord's Prayer: as in heaven, so in earth. We all want to go to heaven. Is it only to avoid Hell, or is it to do the will of God. We picture that afterlife as a big family reunion, but what if it also involves being on mission for the Lord? How well are you doing His will here on earth?

Remember when Gethsemanes come in your life, don't sleep. Pray. And then go face the task God gives you!