Wake Up, Watch & Pray
Mark 14:27-40
Some people are natural early risers. They are up before the sun and ready to start their day. Somehow they do this without the assistance of an alarm clock. Not all of us are so fortunate! During the warmer months I like to get up early and walk 3 to 5 miles each day. I love doing this, but I must admit that it is a struggle for me to get out of bed at 4:30 in the morning. I cannot do this alone, I have a very annoying alert tone on my phone and it goes off and then Amber hits me and lets me know that it is time to get up. The only problem with this alarm is that it comes with a snooze button, and you can hit that snooze button for hours and keep on getting 5 more minutes of sleep at a time. That snooze button has caused me to be late for some very important appointments in the past.
The purpose of an alarm is for us to get up and get busy. When you examine the signs of the times and when you study the scriptures I believe that it is apparent that Jesus is sounding and alarm for His people today. He is calling us to get up and get busy for Him. Unfortunately there are many Christians today who are sound asleep (spiritually speaking). While they are sleeping, there is an enemy that is viciously attacking the church.
I would like to say that this is a new problem, but it is not. In fact, this is an issue that is older than the church itself. You see, the Lord's disciples... went to sleep at a time when Jesus needed them the most. Jesus had faced troubles and persecution many times in the past. Throughout His life and ministry, Jesus had dealt with opposition from the Pharisees and the Sadducees and other adversaries. But this night would be the toughest night of His life.
Some 33 years earlier the Son of God came to earth as a precious Baby born in a stable in Bethlehem. That baby boy grew up to become a man. For approximately 3 1/2 years God's Son walked this earth, He taught with power and authority, He fulfilled many prophecies, He performed many miracles and He changed countless lives.
God had a plan to redeem mankind, and this was the night that things would intensify for the Savior. Earlier that evening, Jesus and His disciples had “celebrated the Passover”. (v12-26)After this, they left the upper room and set out for Jerusalem. Jesus had been teaching these men for over 3 years, and as they traveled through the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane, He continued to teach them. Jesus taught them about Heaven, the Peace of God, surrendering to the Lord and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
As they approached Gethsemane, Jesus told 8 of the disciples to sit down for a while. Then He took "Peter and James and John" with Him and the scripture says that He "began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy". During this time of great sorrow, He gave His followers a simple task to obey, He told them to “Watch & Pray.” Unfortunately, instead of watching & praying they fell asleep… not once, but 3 times.
Just as Jesus had some specific instructions for those men that night, He has left some specific instructions for us as well. Before ascending to Heaven, Jesus revealed that “He would return for His bride”. Until that day comes, there is work for us to do. Jesus never promised that it would be easy, but He did promise to empower us to accomplish His will. We are living in a very dark time in history. Christ and His followers are under attack from the enemy like never before. At a time when the church should be actively watching, working and praying... it seems that she is sleeping! I believe that Jesus is calling His people to "Wake Up, Watch & Pray". That is the thought that I would like to consider today.
There are 3 truths I would like to examine from these verses:
1. Trouble Is Coming
2. Words Are Not Enough
3. Obedience Is Necessary
- These three truths should illustrate to us how important it is that God's people "Wake Up, Watch & Pray". Let’s begin in verses 27-28 and examine the fact that:
I. TROUBLE IS COMING - v27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
We know that the disciples will soon be found sleeping in the Garden, but these verses show us that Jesus sounded an alarm before they ever dosed off. Jesus tells His followers that things are about to get difficult. He addresses the fact that they will soon be scattered.
Over the last 3 years these men had lived an amazing life! They had witnessed some amazing things while following Jesus. They saw Him heal people from their diseases, they saw Him give sight to the blind, they saw Him make the deaf to hear, they saw Him give the dumb the ability to speak, they saw Him cleanse the lepers, they saw Him cast out demons, they even saw Him raise people from the dead. After Jesus fed the 5,000, they were the ones who picked up the fragments that were left over.
These were the same men who were present on the Mt. of Transfiguration, they were there to see Jesus in His glory, they were the ones who saw Moses & Elijah standing with Him, these were the men who heard the voice of God saying "this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him".
Peter, James and John were all present on that first “Palm Sunday” when Jesus made His “Triumphal entry into Jerusalem”. They witnessed the people singing “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”
Earlier this very night after celebrating the Passover, Jesus girded Himself with a towel and washed their feet! (John 13:4)
These men experienced some great times in their walk with Christ! They experienced some difficult times as well. Over the years they had experienced great opposition and persecution. Now Jesus tells them that there is trouble coming like they have never seen before. He tells them that “they would be scattered” and abandon Him. According to verses 29-31, Jesus' Disciples did not believe Him. They said "we will never abandon you", but we know how this story ends!
Through His Word, Jesus has warned us that trouble is coming:
Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
These are just a few of many...many verses that proclaim the fact that trouble is coming! The question is, do we believe the warning that Jesus has provided in His Word? We live in a day where things are bad and getting worse. Our society is growing increasingly secular. There are constant attacks on the church. Our own government is becoming anti-God. Christians are facing opposition in the USA like never before.
And that is just here in America, the fact is Christians are being persecuted all over the world. Islamic extremism is on the rise. Our brothers and sisters are being stoned, stabbed, shot and beheaded. According to the group Open Door USA, Christian persecution has never been worse. Trust me, the day is coming when the things that we see happening over seas will one day happen right here at home!
Here in America, false religions such as Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses and Islam are seeing their number increase by the millions while Christianity is stagnant at best! Our Savior is under attack and it seems that the church is fast asleep.
- Many years ago Dr. Adrian Rogers said "The church is asleep, snuggled up in her pews with the covers pulled up over her head, and the sanctuary is dark. God’s alarm clock is going off. This is no time to push the snooze button!"
Jesus warned Peter, James and John that trouble was coming. Those men hit the "snooze button", they wanted to sleep just a little longer. They did not believe Him, and they abandoned Him when He needed them the most. If we are not careful, we may do the very same thing!
- We cannot deny the fact that "Trouble Is Coming", because of this we must watch and pray. As we continue I would also like to consider the fact that:
II. WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH - v29 ...Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
After Jesus warned His disciples about what would soon take place, they immediately professed their undying love and support for Him. Three years traveling with the Master and they still didn't have enough sense to listen to what He was saying. (Let's not be to hard on them, some of us have been following Jesus for decades and we still refuse to listen!)
You would think that Peter would know better, but you would be wrong! Listen to the conversation that takes place in these verses: Peter boldly professes that even if everyone else is “offended” he would not be. Jesus goes on to reveal to Peter that he would "deny Him 3 times before the roster crowed” . Peter says that "he would die before he abandoned Jesus! Then the rest of the disciples echo what Peter said... “Likewise also said they all”. I believe each of those men genuinely meant what they said when they said it. But when the time came, they failed.
Many people are quick to profess their devotion to Christ. They SAY they are willing to deny themselves, they SAY they will forsake all, they SAY they will follow Christ. They say that they would never abandon Christ... they say they would never abandon His cause...but when they face circumstances that they could never imagine they turn away from Him.
All of the disciples professed that they would "never leave Christ” … but Jesus knew better. The next day as Jesus hung on that cruel cross, John was there, but the rest of them were nowhere to be found. Some of you have professed devotion to Christ in the past, but somewhere along the way you left Him. If that is the case, it is time for you to return unto Him! If you keep reading you will find that even though these men failed, they were restored!
It is easy to make a profession in the atmosphere of a church, but it can be difficult to follow through when troubles come. This is not just the case for immature Christians, It is not only new believers that walk away in the face of trouble. Sometimes it is the strongest Christians who turn away. Peter, James and John were not just Disciples, they were Christ's inner circle. These are the three who were the closest to Him. These men were personally chosen, called and commissioned by Jesus! They WERE devoted followers who had left everything to follow Him.
This text shows us that no one is exempt from failure in the Christian life. But we also see that "words are not enough". It is an old cliché but "it is not enough to talk the talk, we must walk the walk". That leads us to the third truth I would like to consider... "Trouble Is Coming, Words Are Not Enough and:
III. OBEDIENCE IS NECESSARY - v32a And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
Jesus takes these men to Gethsemane and gives them some simple but important instructions. He says "tarry here", "watch and pray". That is it... all Jesus wanted them to do was to sit, watch and pray. That sounds like an easy task, but not that night! Understand that this was a very tough night for the Lord's Disciples. Jesus had revealed some very shocking news to them.
Jesus had told them that they would be “scattered that very night” . He revealed that one of them would “betray Him”. Peter had been told specifically that he would “deny Jesus 3 times” before the next morning. These things were certainly weighing heavily on their minds. They were exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally! Instead of watching and praying, Jesus found them sleeping.
Let's look for a moment at what Jesus was going through while these men were sleeping. Jesus was in the midst of deep sorrow & great anguish. v34 And He saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Jesus knew what was about to happen...He knew that He would soon become the sacrifice for the sins of the world. - And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Listen to what is recorded in - Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
While Jesus is facing such anguish and agony, the Disciples have fallen asleep. Notice:
Nap #1. - v37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
Nap #2. - v40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
Nap #3. - v41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest:
After being confronted by Jesus, the Disciples fell asleep twice more. While they were sleeping, Jesus was praying in agony. Something else was going on, not too far away. At this very moment, Judas Iscariot was meeting with the enemies of Christ. You see, he had agreed to betray Christ for 30 pieces of silver. After this intense time of prayer, Jesus returns to Peter, James and John and says "it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand." (v41-42 - You can almost hear the sadness in Jesus' voice.
There was a battle raging in the Garden that night, and that battle still rages today. We know that Jesus would go on to defeat Satan at Calvary. And his ultimate defeat will come when he is cast into the Lake of Fire. But today our Adversary seeks to destroy all that he can before he meets his demise. He is waging a vicious war as we speak. He is attacking the name of Jesus Christ, he is attacking the church and while he is attacking we are fast asleep!
Jesus seeks to wake us up, but we continuously hit the snooze button! He told those men to "watch and pray" and He told them to "wake up". I believe that He is sounding an alarm for the Church today. He is calling on us to "Wake Up, Watch & Pray!"
Jesus used the word "watch", this means “to have the alertness of a guard at night.” A night watchman's job is more difficult than that of a daytime guard. You can spot an intruder from a far distance in the daytime. The watchman must be more vigilant in the nighttime hours.
We live in a world of darkness! There is evil all around. Our great Adversary is looking for any opportunity to cause destruction. Peter said "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8)
Satan is looking to attack! He wants to attack the cause of Christ, he wants to attack the Church, this means the church as a whole and each individual local church. Satan wants to attack the work of devoted Christians and he will attack us as individuals! We may be tired and weary from the fight. We may want to stop and rest for a little while. We may want to hit the "snooze button" so to speak. We may be tempted to let our guard down. But we must remember that Satan is patient. He is waiting until you take your eyes of the battle. He is waiting for you to doze off and take a little nap. And as soon as you do, he is going to attack! That is why Jesus is sounding the warning for you to "Wake Up, Watch & Pray!"
Can you imagine how the Peter felt when Jesus came to him and found him sleeping and said "Simon, could you not watch for just one hour?" This is the same man who had just professed that he was willing to die before he would abandon Jesus. And before the night was over he would deny Him 3 times.
Like Peter, some of you have made commitments and you have not followed through. You have committed to serve in this church or some other church, but you have not done what you said that you would do. Somewhere along the way your priorities have changed and serving in the local church is just not that important to you. I would encourage you to make the decision that today will be the day that you return to the work God has called you to do.
Some of you have made commitments to the Lord, but you have not followed through. Like the disciples you boasted of your love and devotion to Jesus, but when things got tough you turned away from Him. You went your way and you abandoned the work. I would encourage you to look to how Peter responded after he fell. The Bible tells us that when he heard that rooster crow, "he went out and wept bitterly". There are some folks who need to shed some bitter tears today. The good news is that even though Peter failed in a big way, Jesus was willing to restore Him. And He is willing to restore you today!
Some of you are in even worse shape, you have never met the Lord Jesus. You are lost in your sins and headed for an eternity in the Lake of Fire. I have good news for you as well... Jesus came to this earth, lived a perfect life, died a horrific death, was buried in a borrowed tomb and rose 3 days later and He lives forevermore.
He was and is the sacrifice for the sins of man, God accepted that sacrifice and because of that, you can be saved today. I encourage you to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life.
Jesus had a message for His disciples that night in Gethsemane, and that same message applies to us today... "Wake Up, Watch & Pray"
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