While updating our GrammaLei site Randy found this post. We’re fixing or adding photos on all of our websites. This was written back in 2006, so I added a photo and decided to share it here too.
Recently (2006) as I was reading and studying the story of the Garden of Gethsemane, in Matthew. I came to realize how deeply Jesus cares for us. Here He was praying and agonizing over what was shortly to
come to pass, the brutal beatings, all of His friends deserting Him, everyone mocking Him and the horrible death of crucifixion, and He is worried about His disciples. He is trying to get them to be ready for all that is about to happen to Him and them. He wants them to be prepared, but they fell asleep.
I used to wonder, ‘how could they fall asleep’? They were witnesses, to all the miracles, John said, “Jesus did many other things. If they were all written in books, I don’t suppose there would be room enough in the whole world for all the books”. These disciples were witnesses to His transfiguration, saw Him in His glory, saw Moses and Elijah.
Maybe the answer is a simple one. They must have been exhausted, just think of the emotional high of being involved with something greater than yourself. They were His constant companions, traveling (walking) from one evangelistic event to another, from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Seeing up close the human suffering of the multitudes that were coming daily to Jesus for healing. Witnessing miracles on a daily basis. The crippled were healed, the blind given sight, cured of flesh eating diseases, internal bleedings, at least two people raised from the dead, and on and on. Being around the throngs of people with all this heart wrenching drama, people in chaotic situations, because people without problems weren’t the ones clamoring to be next to Jesus, and they had messy problems, Jerry Springer and Dr. Phil problems. They had also come to Jerusalem for the Passover, so there were thousands of people in town for it. They had been a part of the triumphal entry, all the people cheering and shouting Hosanna, meaning everyone was recognizing Jesus was the Messiah. So, I think they were beyond tired both physically and emotionally.
And isn’t that when the tough trials come? I’m never tested when I’m ready, never when I’m looking, it’s always when I least expect it. But, thanks be to God, that the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…Jesus intercedes for us according to the will of God! Romans 8:26,27
So now as I “keep watching and praying”, and I fall asleep, I can have confidence that the One who I am asking for help is also the One who is always awake and watching and praying for me.
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