Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

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February 8, 2012

Good morning, dear people.

Rain is on the roof.  And indoors we have our hands full dealing with everything going on with two little active boys all over the place.  I’ve already been engaged by Kaden in stretching out a line and making a tent with blankets…forming a shop where he could work on his truck, etc.

I have a long list before me.  And it’s getting late.  I haven’t even had any breakfast yet.

Have fun…while you do what you must.

Love, Dad/Ray

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8 February
Passage: Matthew 26:31-56
Focus: “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  ‘Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter.  ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.’”  Matthew 26:40-41.

            There is a noteworthy parallel between physical and spiritual sleep.  In both cases the sleeper is made dull to the realities around him.  In the case before us, the disciples were doing some of both.  Besides their normal night-time sleep, they were certainly dull to the tremendously significant events unfolding, while claiming to be awake, committed, and in control. They had just left the Passover Supper table where Peter had led the others in an arrogant declaration of loyalty, not realizing what kind of disillusionment their sleepy dullness was about to bring them.
            I can identify with the sleepy disciples.  I’ve learned that one of the most hellish and miserable experiences of my life is to be in church when I am short on rest, or it runs real late, or the speaker is boring, and my head is wanting to shift into sleep mode—yet I’m expected and required to be awake and alert.  It can be real embarrassing too.  I have been in conversation with someone when the sleep pressure is high, and while he is taking his turn to expound, my eyes may start to cross and his voice becomes as meaningful as the sound of rain on the roof—and I know he notices. That’s just terrible!  I remember being so afflicted even as a young guy while working on the railroad at night.  There were times when everything would go blurry and I would virtually fall asleep while standing in the cab of that big diesel-electric unit with its massive engine roaring. No—I can’t blame those disciples for not being bright-eyed prayer warriors on that quiet night in the dark.  Can you?  Given the same circumstances, I’m sure I would have done the same.
            But there is a very important and valid principle here.  It is essential for the victorious believer to be watchful in order to maintain victory.  I take that to mean discerning, careful in thought, on guard against any kind of deception, not gullible.  Praying, of course, is participating in vital personal communication and fellowship with God. I’m convinced that this combination of heart-level disciplines is God’s prescription for successful living, and will guard one from falling into negative temptation.
            There is an implied indirect promise here: If I fail to watch and pray, I WILL fall into some kind of bad temptation somewhere along the line.  That’s just the way it is.