Stay Awake: Jesus' Return And The Scriptures

The Bible contains several verses that encourage Christians to remain vigilant and watchful for the second coming of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 26:40, Jesus returns to his disciples and finds them sleeping. He asks Peter, Couldn't you watch with me even one hour? Similarly, in Mark 13:36, Jesus warns his followers not to be caught sleeping when he returns, as it will be sudden and unexpected. The apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of spiritual alertness and sobriety in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, urging believers to remain awake and self-controlled. These scriptures highlight the need for Christians to be prepared and vigilant, anticipating Christ's return and living their lives accordingly.

Jesus' disciples fall asleep while he prays

As Jesus and his disciples entered the Garden of Gethsemane, he told them: "Stay awake, watch!" However, the disciples fell asleep. Jesus returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, "Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?" Jesus left them a second time and prayed, "My Father, if there is no other way than this, drinking this cup to the dregs, I'm ready. Do it your way." When he returned, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn’t keep their eyes open. This time he let them sleep on, and went back a third time to pray, going over the same ground once last time. When he came back the next time, he said, "Are you going to sleep on and make a night of it? My time is up, the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the hands of sinners. Get up! Let's get going! My betrayer is here."

The disciples' inability to stay awake reflects their physical and spiritual weakness, contrasting with Jesus' vigilance and dedication. This moment serves as a metaphor for spiritual slumber, urging believers to remain watchful and prayerful. Jesus' question, "Could you not keep watch," is both rhetorical and instructional. It is a call to spiritual alertness, emphasizing the importance of prayer and readiness in the face of temptation and trials. It serves as a timeless exhortation for believers to remain steadfast in their faith.

The mention of "one hour" underscores the brevity and urgency of the moment. It serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of opportunities to serve and obey God. It challenges believers to seize the moment, recognizing the significance of even the smallest acts of faithfulness in the kingdom of God.

Believers are urged to remain spiritually alert and active, contrasting the complacency that can arise from ignorance or neglect of spiritual truths. This call to vigilance is rooted in the understanding that believers are to live in anticipation of Christ's return, actively engaging in their faith.

Jesus asks Peter, Could you not watch with me for one hour?

The phrase "Could you not watch with me for one hour?" is uttered by Jesus to his disciple Peter in the Gospel of Matthew (26:40-41). This event takes place in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus had gone to pray after the Last Supper. Jesus asked his disciples, Peter, James, and John, to stay awake and keep watch while he went to pray. However, when he returned, he found them sleeping.

Jesus' question to Peter is both rhetorical and instructional. The Greek word "γρηγορεῖν" (grēgorein), translated as "keep watch," means to be vigilant or awake. Jesus' admonition is a call to spiritual alertness and readiness in the face of temptation and trials. It serves as a timeless exhortation for believers to remain steadfast in their faith.

The mention of "one hour" underscores the brevity and urgency of the moment. The Greek word "μίαν ὥραν" (mian hōran) signifies a specific, limited period. This reference to time serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of opportunities to serve and obey God. Believers are challenged to seize the moment and recognize the significance of even small acts of faithfulness.

Jesus' question to Peter highlights the relational aspect of discipleship. The phrase "with me" indicates Jesus' desire for his followers to be present with him, sharing in his sufferings and mission. This call to be "with me" is an invitation to participate in the life and work of Christ, fostering a deep, personal connection with him.

Jesus' instruction to "watch and pray" is a reminder of the need for spiritual vigilance and dependence on God. While the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak, and believers must be alert and prepared for temptation. This instruction is given in the context of Jesus' own prayerful submission to God's will in the face of his impending betrayal and crucifixion.

In conclusion, Jesus' question to Peter, "Could you not watch with me for one hour?" is a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual watchfulness and prayerfulness. It calls believers to remain awake and vigilant, seizing the opportunities to serve and obey God in the brief time they have on earth.

Jesus asks his disciples to stay alert and pray

Jesus wants his disciples to be spiritually alert and vigilant. He knows that they will face challenges and trials, and he wants them to be prepared. By staying alert and praying, they can avoid falling into temptation and remain strong in their faith.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus also instructs his disciples to "watch" and be on guard (Mark 13:33-37). He warns them that they do not know when the appointed time will come, so they must stay alert and pray.

Similarly, in 1 Thessalonians, Paul encourages believers to "not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober" (1 Thessalonians 5:6). This call to vigilance is rooted in the understanding that believers should live in anticipation of Christ's return, actively engaging in their faith.

Jesus' instruction to his disciples to stay alert and pray is a timeless exhortation for all believers to remain steadfast and faithful, even in the face of trials and temptations.

Jesus prays, My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, your will be done

The phrase "Jesus prays, My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, your will be done" refers to an episode in the Bible (Matthew 26:42) when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane with his disciples, just before his arrest.

Jesus left his disciples to pray, asking his Father if there was any other way to fulfil his mission besides drinking from the "cup" of suffering that awaited him. The "cup" is a metaphor for the sacrifice and crucifixion that Jesus knew he was about to endure. Jesus' prayer reveals his mindset and his submission to God's will. Despite being fully God, he was also fully human, and his human nature struggled with the impending torture and shame.

Jesus returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour?" He then left to pray a second time, saying:

> My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink it, your will be done.

Jesus' prayer expresses his total submission to God's will. The "cup" represents the suffering and sacrifice that he knew he must experience. By praying for God's will to be done, Jesus aligned himself with the divine plan, prioritising God's purposes over his own human desires.

Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is a powerful example of his obedience and trust in God, even in the face of immense suffering and anguish. It serves as a model for believers, encouraging them to seek God's will and to persevere in faith, even in the most challenging times.

Jesus' second coming

The Bible contains several references to Jesus' second coming and the need for his followers to be vigilant and prepared.

In Matthew 26:40, Jesus returns to his disciples and finds them sleeping. He asks Peter, "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour?" This passage underscores the importance of spiritual alertness and serves as a reminder to believers to remain watchful and prayerful.

Similarly, in Mark 13:36, Jesus warns his followers in the tribulation to be aware of his impending return and to stay alive during that time. He encourages them to pray for strength and favourable conditions to escape the tribulation and stand before the Son of Man.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Paul urges the Thessalonians to remain spiritually alert and active, contrasting the complacency that can arise from ignorance or neglect of spiritual truths. He writes, "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober."

Jesus' question to Peter in Matthew 26:40 is both rhetorical and instructional. It serves as a call to spiritual alertness and perseverance in faith, encouraging believers to be vigilant and to keep watch for his second coming.

Believers are called to live in anticipation of Christ's return, actively engaging in their faith and remaining steadfast. This expectation shaped the daily conduct and spiritual vigilance of the early church, and it continues to guide Christians today as they await Jesus' second coming.

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