By Pastor Michael Quinton
WHY ARE YOU SLEEPING?
MARK 14:37
Jesus and His disciples had just finished the Last Supper. Judas had left to betray Jesus. Now they are walking in the Mount of Olives and into the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus tells the disciples to sit here and wait while I pray. Mark 14:32
Jesus took Peter, James, and John further and in verse 34 He tells them to stay there, wait, and watch, while He goes further to pray.
In verses 37-40, Jesus finds them sleeping and says, “Could you not wait even one hour?”
In verse 34 the word ‘watch’ is the Greek gregoreuo which means “to pay special attention so you can avoid a catastrophic tragedy”. Specifically in verse 38, to watch and pray that you will not enter temptation.
In the coming hours and days, the disciples would be tempted to despair and to deny Jesus as the Christ.
The disciples claimed to follow Jesus, but here they were, sleeping.
In the Bible, passive verbs or feelings and beliefs are treated as actions. What we believe and think directly affects what we do.
Faith that does not result in action is not real faith.
At the crucifixion, only John and the women were devoted enough to approach the cross.
Jesus had repeatedly warned them all: Mark 13:32-37 and Matthew 24:36-47: Take heed, watch, and pray for you do not know the time I shall return.
I say unto you all: WATCH!
ARE YOU WATCHING OR ARE YOU SLEEPING?
Michael Quinton is Pastor of Mesquite Baptist Church, 742 W. Pioneer Blvd., Suite A.
Sunday worship is at 10:30. We can also be found on Facebook and our website: mesquitebaptistchurch.com
(All messages in the Church Directory are the opinion of the writer, who submits them as a columnist)
