December 15, 2008

Read Luke 22: 39-53

When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.—Luke 22:45-46

As a child reading this passage, I used to get so angry at the apostles. Here they are with Jesus, the son of God, and they cannot even follow the simple instructions to “stay awake and pray.”

Now as an adult, I sympathize with the apostles. I, too, know Jesus is the son of God and my savior, yet I find myself asleep on Jesus many times without even realizing it. God’s requests are quite simple: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” and “Love your neighbor.” Yet, I consistently put my own desires ahead of His, pushing God lower on the priority list, falling asleep on my promise to Him.

The encouraging thing about this passage is that Jesus does not give up the apostles. He gives them many chances, and He forgives us continually. As followers of Christ let us work together to stay awake and recognize His presence in our life always.

Pray: Lord, thank you for forgiving me when I fail to follow your commandments. Open my eyes and awaken my soul. Amen

Mac Bergson and his wife, Rebecca, recently moved to St. Louis from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. One of their favorite things about living in St. Louis is “waking up” on Sundays at The Gathering.