He Found Them Asleep Again

Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.

Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

Mark 14:32-42

The Mount of Olives has a garden at its foot, and a group of disciples fell asleep, despite Jesus urging them to stay awake and watch. Jesus rebuked them, saying, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. Temptation strikes when we are most vulnerable. When we neglect certain areas of our spiritual lives – such as prayer and Bible study – we become drowsy and let our guard down, making us easy targets for our enemy, Satan, to strike.

We need to be alert to the possibilities of an attack and pray to maintain vigilance. If we remain watchful and pray – for ourselves and for others – the Spirit will enable us to resist temptation.

Satan is powerless against the power of Christ.

Our Daily Bread – August 24, 2016