Watch and Pray

During the week of the crucifixion, the week that we call Holy, life went on as usual in Jerusalem.

The people had welcomed Jesus in with palm branches and celebration and He was teaching in the Temple.

Temple soldiers were scurrying, and Roman soldiers were watching, but everyday people continued their lives, not anticipating the eternity-changing event that was building to a climax in the city.

Jesus modeled humility for His disciples as He washed their feet. He joined them in a quiet Passover meal during which He released Judas to do his worst. He gave them His last instructions and promises. He took them with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, but while He fought His own spiritual battle in prayer, they did what humans do – they fell asleep.

While the people of Jerusalem slept, Judas led officers and men from the chief priests to arrest Jesus in the garden. And, so, the last steps to the cross began.

As I begin this week that we call Holy, I am reminded of all the times that Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray.

Our world is no less chaotic and troubled than the Jerusalem that crucified our Lord. We live in times when deceptions are accepted as fact and the truth of God’s Word is set aside for opinions. Love for God has grown cold.

• It is time to watch, lest we be led astray and pray that we will understand and cling to God’s truth.

• It is time to watch for where God is working in the world and pray that we can and will work with Him.

• It is time to watch for those who need Him and pray that we will be lights in this dark world.

• It is time to watch for sins in our own lives and pray that God will cleanse us.

• It is time to watch for His coming and pray that it will be soon.

I don’t want to sleep through this week of Easter.  I want to watch and pray like Jesus told His disciples to do.

Will you join me?

⁴⁰ Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?⁴¹ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40 – 41).