Tears – Matthew 26:36-46
By combining a few thoughts from Paul and one from Solomon, I conclude …
There is a time for time’s fulness and it is now.
In today’s passage, time is just about full. It is the most intimate of moments. Jesus has invited Peter, James and John to come deeper into the garden with him. As far as we know, he simply desired their company. He made a point to tell them how they should compose themselves in the fulness of time. He takes his intimate friends aside and confides …
My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death, remain here and keep watch with me.
That God is willing to reveal his deepest emotions to man should awaken us to the type of relationship he desires with us. However, as Jesus is pouring his heart out – the disciples were snoring!
Jesus : Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.
Man: Yawn
Even among his friends, sleep is apparently a chronic problem. At the most important moment they succumb to the temptation three times! Finally, their opportunity to respond passes and Jesus wakes them, saying …
The hour has come and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
I do not fear God’s wrath. I am confident it was absorbed in Christ on the the cross. I do tremble a bit though, knowing I too am capable of being asleep in the fulness of time – squandering my opportunity to keep watch with him, wasting my invitation into greater depths of intimacy.
Jesus knows sleep is a formidable enemy. He tells us …
Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
This verse and the words that follow, speak directly to the critical nature of time and how we steward it. This will not effect our salvation but it is definitely going to affect our reward. That is sobering! Whether its in this body or the next one …
Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. (Matt 24:46-47)
Scripture tells us, eyes heavy with sleep, will be a sign the times are once again full. Jesus is still inviting us to stand with him and keep watch. A frightening number of us sleep even now, having given ourselves over to the worries of this world, driven to a frenzied pace by technology, consumed in our vocations and vacations – deluded in our perceived need for more. Listen to Paul …
Awake, sleeper and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ”. (Ephesians 5:14-21)
The Blue Book is one of the Lord’s standing invitations to keep watch and abide in intimacy. Jesus is still saying, “Remain with me a while. Be awake and watchful over your heart because times are growing more full by the day. Again, I don’t fear judgement. I do acknowledge, with sobriety, that my choices matter and, that at some point, our exclusive opportunities to love, will be no more. Today is the day of salvation.
Father, help us to hear your invitation. Help us to slow down and listen to your heart and ours. Help us to make the choices wise stewards make. Help us to grasp the greater intimacy, opportunity and reward at hand. That we would be those with whom you would share your heart’s burdens. Amen