Title: Rise and pray (Luke 22:39-46)
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The example of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ. Jesus set the example of faith in all things in human life. In particular, the example in the face of the greatest crisis of life, which we are going to examine at this time, is a figure we should deeply engrave.
While a man was on a passenger ship, a storm broke out. At first, I thought it would be just a passing moment, but as time went on, the boat shook terribly, and many people became worried. The traveler was impatient and went up to the captain's office on deck. It was to ask the captain about the situation. But the moment he saw the captain's face, he felt his fear vanish in an instant. Because the captain's face was so peaceful that he even had a smile on his face. He went back to the cabin and said, “I saw the captain's face and there is nothing to be concerned about. He is not concerned.” Hearing this, everyone in the room was relieved.
While his disciples were trembling with fear in the midst of a stormy sea, Jesus lay on the boat and slept in peace. When the disciples woke Jesus up and made a fuss, the Lord got up quietly, rebuked the sea, and commanded it to be calm. As the disciples were astonished at what had happened, the Lord said: “Why are you so afraid? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40).
This is the peace of God who created and rules the world. When a person lives in the world, storms of life often occur. Each time, we should look to the Lord who is sleeping peacefully on the boat. However, the appearance of the Lord appearing in the text of this time is enough to make us uneasy.
The expression of Jesus' deep anguish is evident in the text of the text, and it is the same as he prays earnestly so that his sweat becomes drops of blood. You've never shown such a bewildered look before, so why would you show this?
First, consider the position of Jesus.
Jesus is clearly in deep anguish. See verses 42 and 44. The Lord is deeply agonizing over the mission He must accomplish now. The agony of the Lord is not because of carrying up the cruel cross. Because the burden you have to bear is too great. That burden is the sin of all mankind who have disobeyed God since the creation of the world. The reason the burden of sin is terrible is that it is eternal separation from God and death. In James 1:15, it is said, “When lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
The Lord is about to part with God now. The Triune God, who has never been separated from eternity, must now suffer the supreme pain of being separated because of human sin. The Lord expressed that fear and pain in this way:
-Mat 26:37b-38, “He was troubled and grieved, and he said to them, ‘Stay here and watch with me, for my heart is so troubled that it is about to die.’” / Mark 15:34, “at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani,' which is translated, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'”
Separation from God is the greatest suffering for human beings. The Lord Himself suffered the pain and suffering of carrying the burden of a sinful life. But we did not understand the pain of the Lord nor did we believe it. The situation has already been told through the prophet Isaiah. Look at Isaiah 53:4-6. Let's read it together. “Surely he bore our afflictions and bore our sorrows, but we thought, ‘He is chastised, smitten by God, and afflicted.’ He was pierced for our transgressions, and he was bruised for our iniquities. By his chastisement we have peace; by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of our company.
The Lord suffered the pain and suffering for us, and we neither knew nor understood nor believed it. We will give you lean more pain in some doubling the Lord. Now that you're ahead of the Lord to do this horrible, scary and sad.
Therefore, when we are indifferent to and disobey the Lord's will, we again torment Him and crucify Him again.
Next, what is the example the Lord has given us?
Jesus sets the most important example for us in the face of the greatest crisis. This example teaches us what to do when we face the crises of life.
Jesus came to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. In verse 39, it says, “As a custom, he went to the Mount of Olives.” This shows that the prayers of the saints should become a habit. Prayer should become a habit in order not to fall into temptation. It is clearly a sin for a believer to stop praying. In 1 Samuel 12:23, it says, “I will never sin before the Lord in ceasing to pray for you, and I will teach you in the good and righteous way.” In addition, the scope and timing of prayer in the New Testament have been strengthened. He said to “pray always,” “pray all the time,” and “pray for all.”
The wisest way for believers to deal with crises is through prayer.
The disciples did not understand the English language well, but when they saw the suffering of the Lord, they were engulfed in sorrow. The disciples' human sorrow caused sleep. We often see children crying and falling asleep. Knowing that the disciples had fallen asleep because of human sorrow, the Lord woke them up. “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, so that you may not fall into temptation.” Worldly sorrow and sorrow paralyze the spiritual mind. At the time of greatest need for prayer, the disciples fell asleep.
This is why people momentarily lose faith and wander when faced with worldly difficulties. So, when a crisis comes to the saints, the Lord awakens the danger that aggravates the crisis. When the spirit sleeps, it means that worldly cares and worries come rushing in. Jesus taught this in detail through the parable of the sower. In Matthew 13:22, it is said, “The ones that were sown among thorns are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it does not bear fruit.” When the spirit sleeps and the worries of the world take over, the hearts of the saints become as barren as thorns.
Jesus’ command to his disciples to ‘watch and pray’ was a measure to prevent a physical crisis from developing into a spiritual crisis. Physical crises are often presented as great opportunities for spiritual growth.
Watch and pray so that worries and worries do not settle in your hearts because of the crises in your life. Prayer is the path that leads our lives to the light. When Peter was imprisoned or when Paul and Silas were imprisoned, it was prayer that saved them from crisis.
Passion Week, the culmination of Lent, begins now. As we think of the Lord’s suffering and the prayer of Gethsemane, let us remember the voice the Lord commands us to ‘get up and pray’. So, just as the disciples of the Lord were victorious, I pray that you also achieve the victory of faith.