Are You Awake?

Mark 4:37-40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 
 
CONSIDER the dynamic personal interaction here. Jesus had told Peter, perhaps an hour earlier, “You will deny me three times.” Peter had objected, denying Jesus’ warning. Still Jesus took Peter with him to engage in this battle against Satan. But the confident Peter and the brothers James and John, who had requested a special role in Jesus’ kingdom, fell asleep. Their human spirit was willing, but their flesh failed as the King’s watchmen.
   Peter, James and John, Jesus’ closest disciples, have failed him at this critical hour. Peter had said, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Mark 14:31 But he couldn’t stay awake. Still, Jesus urged them to establish a strong defense against temptation. He knows mankind’s spirit is willing to follow God. And he also knows the body is weak. Prayer is a bulwark of self-defense. Jesus knew what the disciples were about to endure. He knew they needed God’s Spirit to strengthen their flesh, so they could faithfully encounter the next three days – even the rest of  their lives.  
   Then Jesus, the Commander of the LORD’s army (See Joshua 5:15.) continued the battle. Jesus returned to his prayer post to once more pray the same thing, “Take this cup from me.” The King was leading his followers into battle, but they had no strength to follow.
   As we consider life as Jesus’ disciples, this scene can be very real for us. We may remember the times we have failed our Lord’s command, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”  We neglect to pray for ourselves, our brothers and sisters in the church, missionaries, pastors, Sunday school teachers, and churches. Too often we have failed to pray for the Spirit to work his power on unrepentant souls. We neglect to pray in faith for healing in our community and healing in our bodies. Have we prayed for revival? Do we intercede for our government leaders? When do we pray for our enemies?
   Our faith can too easily be a sleeping faith, only awakening our consideration of God when we encounter some struggle or sadness. Our words may say we’re eager to join him, but our weak flesh retreats to the tree, and we spiritually fall asleep.
   What would it be like if we prayed for the Spirit to clothe us with God’s armor? Would we be able to obey Jesus’ command to, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
 
Ephesians 6: 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.