April 13, 2010
KEEP WATCH
Matthew 26:36-46
Ryan Howell
Central Truth
When Jesus was about to face the greatest challenge of His life, He paused in the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and to invite his closest friends to join Him.
Key Verse | Matthew 26:41
“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
Matthew 26:36-46
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch 1 26:38 Or keep awake; also verses 40, 41 with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. 2 26:45 Or Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Dive Deeper | Matthew 26:36-46
Jesus, feeling the weight of what was soon to come, had the strong urge simply to speak with God in prayer. He took that moment in the Garden of Gethsemane and invited three of the disciples to join Him. I love the simplicity of Jesus' request to Peter, James, and John—no instructions, simply "remain here and keep watch with Me." (v. 38) So naturally, Jesus was a little frustrated when He returned to find all three of them asleep. Clearly, there was a disconnect between Jesus and the disciples, so He clarified His meaning: "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation." (v. 41, emphasis added)
Jesus saw an opportunity and dropped a "teachable moment" on these guys.
Jesus' Math Lesson #1: Praying = Keeping Watch
Better still, praying helps us to avoid temptation, providing a way of escape. (See also 1 Corinthians 10:13)
Jesus' Math Lesson #2: Praying > Temptation
Though the disciples failed to see the urgency in Jesus' request for prayer, there is a model of community in this passage. Jesus, the Son of God, wanted others to pray with and for Him. He wanted to share the anguish He was feeling. I imagine He felt very alone in that garden with His closest friends sleeping nearby. Yet, in the midst of that dark moment Jesus simply prayed three times the same prayer and submitted Himself to the will of the Father. Jesus had to have been just as tired as the disciples, but He was committed to keeping watch, praying, and seeking the will of the Father.
Lord, help me live a life of vigilance and prayer so that I might avoid temptations and see clearly what You have in store for me! Help me to prioritize my life in such a way that I "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and that I follow through when I commit to pray for a friend.
Discussion Questions
1. When was the last time that you took an extended amount of time to pray and to seek God's will for your life?
2. Are there people in your life who have asked you to pray for them, but you've not yet done so? Take some time right now to pray for them.
3. Are you in need of prayer? Invite others to join with you.
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Who was Jesus talking to in verse 39?
2. What did He mean by, “I want your will, not mine?”
3. Jesus could say this because He trusted that His Father knows best. Do you trust God to do what is best the way Jesus trusted the Father?