Journey Through Matthew: Are You Still Sleeping?

Introduction

Good morning and welcome back!

This morning if you would, turn back in your Bibles to again.

Today we are going to be covering quite a bit of ground, from verses 31-46, which could actually be a couple of sermons in themselves.

In our passage this morning there are going to be a couple of things going on.

If you recall from last week, we talked about the two plots to kill Jesus.

And the last of those plots was Judas’ betraying Jesus for 30 silver coins.

And the very last thing we discussed last week was the Last Supper and Jesus confronting Judas, exposing him as the betrayer.

The only problem however, was that the disciples did not really understand the depth of Judas’ betrayal.

They thought by betrayal, Jesus meant “quit and give up.”

And even though Jesus had told them over and over he was going to be killed, they still didn’t get it.

And this morning we are going to pick up right after that event, first with a Jesus confronting Peter for his own shortcomings and then as Jesus goes to Gethsemane to pray, he has to confront not only Peter again, but also James and John.

So, there is a lot going on here, but the overall theme can be summed up in two verses, verses 45-46.

So, if you have found in your Bibles, I’d invite you to stand with me if you are able.

Starting in verse 45, Matthew writes . . . .

Scripture Reading

Matthew 26:5-

Matthew 26:5–46 NIV - Anglicised

5 “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” 6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. 17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.” 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. 36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Matthew 26:45–46 NIV - Anglicised

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Peter’s Denial (vs 31-35)

Again, the overall theme is about the disciples falling asleep when they should have been watching, but before we get there we need to back up and look at something Jesus tells Peter.

And again, this is right after he exposed Judas as the betrayer.

It starts out though with a warning that Jesus has for all of the disciples . . .

Matthew 26:31–32 NIV - Anglicised

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Matthew 26:31 NIV - Anglicised

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Matthew 26:31-

So, Jesus tells them point blank that they will abandon him, fall away, run away, forsake him.

He not only tells them this but also he quotes I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

Meaning that when Jesus is arrested and tortured, out of fear, the disciples will scatter like sheep running from wolves.

Which is exactly why we need to be very aware of the strength of our faith.

We often say a lot of things, a lot of “I would never do that” type of talk, when we are judging other people’s behavior.

The reality is though, we don’t know how we would react until we were put in that situation.

However, even though Jesus gives them this bad news, he also gives them a glimmer of hope as well . . .

Matthew 26:32 NIV - Anglicised

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

He tells them that even though he will be killed and they will scatter, He will rise again and he will go to Galilee to meet them, because he not only will conquer, but also knows that they will overcome their fear and return to him.

However, Peter falls into the “I will never” trap . . .

Matthew 26:33 NIV - Anglicised

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

Matthew 26:

And to be fair, Peter didn’t have a clue what he was talking about .

He may have thought he would never abandon Jesus, but Peter also had never been in a situation like he was getting ready to get into.

He had never been in a situation where he was in real physical danger.

Things were about to get real.

And Jesus trying to keep Peter grounded a bit, gives a bit of prophesy.

Matthew 26:34 NIV - Anglicised

34 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.”

Which we know comes back to bite Peter later.

But right now Peter is so puffed up and prideful, he puffs his chest out and declares . . . .

Matthew 26:35 NIV - Anglicised

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Matthew 26:

Remember pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a great fall.

Peter was getting ready to experience that proverb first hand.

Keeping Watch (vs 36-41)

Jesus though, knowing what is getting ready to take place, knows he is going to have to have some strength and endurance to make it through the ordeal.

He knows that it is going to take much more than his human strength to make it.

So, he goes and prays.

Here is how it plays out . . .

Matthew 26:36–38 NIV - Anglicised

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Matthew 26:36-

So Jesus is sorrowful and troubled. His soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

I can only imagine what that would be like.

And what I imagine is that it is as close to a breakdown as a human can come without actually having a breakdown.

Jesus knows what is getting ready to take place and he is going to need everything he has to make it.

And his solution to gain this needed strength is to pray.

Which ought to be a good lesson for each and every one of us as well.

When we are sorrowful and troubled, what do we do?

Do we try to solve the problem on our own?

Do we consult with our family and friends?

Or do we go to the Lord with it?

Do we pray?

Often we do, but as a last resort.

When we have tried everything else, then we turn to the Lord in prayer.

We should turn to the Lord first and then follow His direction.

But we also need to recognize that God doesn’t want us to go through things alone.

Even Jesus took disciples with him to be with him.

He tells them to sit here while I go over there to pray, and stay here and keep watch with me.

Keeping watch, waiting on God to move.

How often do we stay and keep watch with our brothers and sisters?

Many times we do not, but rather we do like the disciples do . . .

Matthew 26:39–40 NIV - Anglicised

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.

Matthew 26:39-

So, Jesus goes and he is pouring his heart out to the Father.

Praying for deliverance, if possible, but also praying for the strength to endure.

And probably physically exhausted from praying, he returns to his disciples, who were supposed to be keeping watch with him.

Who were supposed to be supporting him and lifting him up.

And what does he find?

He finds them asleep.

Remember the 5 foolish virgins we talked about a few weeks ago?

Now Jesus has 3 foolish disciples.

After all of this they still did not realize the gravity of the situation.

They still did not get it.

And sadly there are many good Christian people who still don’t get it.

Still walking around seeing their Brothers and Sisters struggling for their very soul and not doing anything to help.

Still seeing their friends, their family, their community falling further and further away from God, dying and going to hell.

And they are asleep.

We need to WAKE UP and see what his happening around us.

Our sleepiness and our complacency is only making the problem worse.

And there will come a day when God will call us out on it, just like Jesus called Peter out

He asks Peter directly, could you men not keep watch with me for one hour.

And the reason he said this directly to Peter is because Peter was the one who was so puffed up claiming he had it all together.

And Jesus is telling him that “you say you will never abandon me; you can’t even be faithful for a whole hour.”

Let that sink in.

But, Jesus gives them another chance. He tells them this . . .

Matthew 26:41 NIV - Anglicised

41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Matthew 26:

And what Jesus is recognizing in them is the unsanctified state.

He knows that they, like Paul, wanted to do go, but their was evil in them.

He knows that that great battle between flesh and spirit was waring on and the flesh was winning, because their spirit had not yet yielded to the Holy Spirit.

And we are the same way.

We will be weak and we will be ineffective until we yield to the Holy Spirit.

Until the Holy Spirit is in control, we will be like Peter, talking a big game but not having the skills to back it up.

We are enabled by the Holy Spirit, not by our own power.

And Jesus knows the Holy Spirit has not yet come, but He is teaching them all a valuable lesson.

Still Sleeping (vs 42-46)

So, he tells them this and then . . . .

Matthew 26:42 NIV - Anglicised

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

Matthew 26:42

Continues to pray and pour out his grief and sorrow to the Father.

Looking for direction, strength and comfort.

And . . .

Matthew 26:43–44 NIV - Anglicised

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Matthew 26:

I can only imagine that Jesus saw them and just shook his head and walked away.

Probably hurt.

Probably disappointed.

I also imagine that when we are so complacent and so unwilling to yield to the Spirit that God probably does the same thing with us.

Hurt, disappointed, just shaking his head.

But finally, the time of prayer is over . . .

Matthew 26:45–46 NIV - Anglicised

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Matthew 26:

The time has come and now all they can do is endure what is to come.

Will they be ready?

Altar Call

Jesus is ready, but his disciples are not.

What about us?

Are we good at watching or are we like the disciples sleeping on the sidelines?

What about if Jesus came back today?

Have you been watching?

Are you ready for that?

If not, you can be ready today.

You can wake from your slumber and start new today.

It doesn’t matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done.

Today is a different day, a new day, and it can be the first day when you go into life with your eyes wide open.

Maybe you need to come and receive Christ, will you do that?

Maybe you need to come and yield the the Holy Spirit, will you do that?

Maybe you need to come and be renewed, woke up, you can do that?

Maybe you need to come and watch and pray with someone else, you can do that as well?

But in order to do that you have to get up and come.

Will you do that?

Are altars are here, will you use them today?