Unforgettable question No. 2. Are You Still Sleeping?
Other posts in this series: Why This Waste?
The verses set in the Garden of Gethsemane are known for prayer, sorrow, betrayal, heated reactions, and the beginning of the crucifixion of Jesus. In the middle of it, Jesus demonstrates what ‘being ready’ looks like in the depths of distress. He continues to teach his disciples why staying awake is necessary while he is sorrowful, even to death. And, friends, we need to understand why Jesus kept returning from prayer and asking his disciples, are you still sleeping?
And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.
And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.
And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 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. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” Mark 14:32-42
Are you still sleeping? The most troubling part of this question (besides the fact that I would have been right there with Peter, James, and John) is that it was the third time Jesus had to ask. And Jesus had been teaching them through parables about being ready and staying alert leading up to this moment in the garden. You never know when the thief will come, you never know when the master of the house will come, and you never know when the bridegroom will come. Be ready. Stay Awake. Have oil in your lamp.
What is remarkable about these ten verses is that Jesus demonstrated what he had been teaching. I see three things in Jesus’ words about being spiritually dull, heavy-eyed, and unprepared.
1. Not what I will, but what you will.
In his sorrow, Jesus was still looking at his Father, declaring his strength, and surrendering to his ways. This is a prayer that fascinated, devoted followers pray. When we are spiritually dull, we stop surrendering to God’s will and move in our own way and understanding. Stay Awake.
2. Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.
Spiritual readiness, the oil in our lamps, keeps us keen and discerning when temptation comes. When we are alert, we resist it and cling to the Word of God. When we are heavy-eyed, we entertain tempting thoughts. I heard it said recently, “we will never have authority over the things that entertain us.” To resist and flee from temptation, we have to be wide-eyed in wonder with Jesus. Stay awake.
3. Are you still sleeping? It is enough. My betrayer is at hand.
Continued sleepiness will lead us to forsake the Word. It won’t happen overnight. Dullness creeps in and takes over until we deny what we know to be true, like Judas. Past experiences help us remember. But being ready is the constant act of buying oil from Jesus and not relying on yesterday’s supply. Stay Awake.
When our souls are sorrowful, distressed, and troubled, it is easy to become sleepy. To pull the covers over our hearts and hit the snooze button. Physically and spiritually. What Jesus was teaching us is that we can keep watch even in those types of times. The thing is, there are no exceptions to the instructions to stay awake. Regardless of the season, job, or calling, if we’re following Jesus, we are called to remain in him and keep watch.
Psalm 121 describes God as neither slumbering nor sleeping. He is our help, and he is our keeper, and his eyelids never get heavy while watching over us. We want to watch and wait for him more than the watchmen wait for dawn (Psalm 130:6) — watching for his return, watching for his word, watching his movement, watching him, so when temptation comes, we can be like him. Not what I will, but what you will.
So, Holy Spirit, search me. Am I asleep? Is there any place in me that needs to wake up? What is causing me to be dull? Am I watching for you or am I caught up in my own thoughts? Find me ready, find me watching you!
Brave Sparrow 
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