(Mark 14:40-41 ESV) And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Donna’s grandmother passed away several years ago. At the time, we were involved in a ministry assignment that put considerable distance between us. After hearing the news, we made the necessary arrangements and started driving to attend the funeral. I drove all night to get to the funeral home so Donna could be with her family during a very emotional time.
I’m not reliving this story to solidify my position as the world’s best husband! (Although I am!) I was so exhausted that I sat down in the chair and fell sound asleep. There I was, dressed in my suit in a room full of people with my head leaned back against the wall. The worst part? I was snoring! Yep. Snoring. My darling wife was introducing me to people I didn’t know while I was sound asleep. I was missing it all.
In our passage of Scripture today, I was impacted by all the disciples were missing in the final days before the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus had invited them to join Him in a very intimate time of prayer and they were asleep.
I’m not going to throw them under the bus though. It’s true they could have, and probably should have pushed their bodies and emotions to stay awake and pray with Jesus. But, on the other hand, think of the pressure they were under. Think about all they were facing and the unknown future they would soon experience.
Exhaustion comes in different shapes and sizes. We are body, soul, and spirit. And, the truth is, we become exhausted in all of those dimensions. Exhaustion can cause an individual to become numb to their surroundings. In that state of mind, it is easy to miss the significance of the moment.
I fear that we Americans have become numb to the conditions we live in. Politicians are spouting rhetoric that has lulled many into a deep sleep. Life is moving along at a fast pace and we are missing some very important information. Likewise, we have become so insensitive that we no longer believe political issues can be discussed and resolved. And so we sleep on; time keeps moving. The majority of eligible voters didn’t even bother to vote in the last Presidential election. What are we missing?
I’m with Jesus on this one. “It is enough; the hour has come.” Let’s wake up and get on with this thing. Even so, Lord Jesus, come.
PRAYER: Father, I’m sorry for having slept through Your invitation to spend quality time with You. Shake me. Wake me. Prepare me so that I can effectively fulfill all You have called me to do. Don’t let me miss it. Amen.