Word@Work 176 - Mark 14:37-38
Published: Tue, 07/29/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 14:37-38 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? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV)
After Peter's declaration in the Upper Room (cf Mark 14:29) of unswerving loyalty, sleeping on duty was not a good start! But the sleep of weariness or despair is never invigorating; it is just an anaesthetic for the hopeless heart. Every spiritual failure starts when we stop watching the Lord, which was the error of these men, despite Jesus' human plea and Master's command.
It may be true that Peter had little idea of the significance of the moment, but that is just why he should have been watching. Instead, he and the others came to their own view as to the pointlessness of watching - and let sleep take over. Their disobedience was going to make them vulnerable to one temptation after another. Watchfulness and prayer go together. Although intercessory prayer is a spiritual activity, it requires the cooperation of an alert body and mind. But, the body that contains our fleshly nature is remarkably reluctant to keep looking to Jesus or to pray. Such reluctance is our great spiritual weakness and needs to be fought against, with all the energy of the exhausted marathon runner - longing to stop but convinced that there is no winning without completing the course.
Prayerlessness is probably the Christian's number one weak point. From there, every temptation can be seen through rose coloured spectacles, and every command becomes a matter of personal preference. Let's acknowledge our personal failure, and get back to watching Jesus, as we meditate on the Scriptures! Start date: today!
Prayer: Heavenly Father. I confess my prayerlessness that stems from failing to see who Jesus is afresh each day. Help me to make prayer more of a priority than work or play, and then I will be able to do both to Your glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
After Peter's declaration in the Upper Room (cf Mark 14:29) of unswerving loyalty, sleeping on duty was not a good start! But the sleep of weariness or despair is never invigorating; it is just an anaesthetic for the hopeless heart. Every spiritual failure starts when we stop watching the Lord, which was the error of these men, despite Jesus' human plea and Master's command.
It may be true that Peter had little idea of the significance of the moment, but that is just why he should have been watching. Instead, he and the others came to their own view as to the pointlessness of watching - and let sleep take over. Their disobedience was going to make them vulnerable to one temptation after another. Watchfulness and prayer go together. Although intercessory prayer is a spiritual activity, it requires the cooperation of an alert body and mind. But, the body that contains our fleshly nature is remarkably reluctant to keep looking to Jesus or to pray. Such reluctance is our great spiritual weakness and needs to be fought against, with all the energy of the exhausted marathon runner - longing to stop but convinced that there is no winning without completing the course.
Prayerlessness is probably the Christian's number one weak point. From there, every temptation can be seen through rose coloured spectacles, and every command becomes a matter of personal preference. Let's acknowledge our personal failure, and get back to watching Jesus, as we meditate on the Scriptures! Start date: today!
Prayer: Heavenly Father. I confess my prayerlessness that stems from failing to see who Jesus is afresh each day. Help me to make prayer more of a priority than work or play, and then I will be able to do both to Your glory. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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