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29 March 2002 - "Watch with me a little"

(Summary of sermon by Rev Michael Ngubane)

Matt 26: 36 - 46:

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

The disciples had not grasped what was happening. While eating the Passover Jesus wanted to prepare them for what was coming but they didn't understand. Even when He said that one of them will "betray Him" the situation was beyond their grasp. Judas' heart was so hard that even when his sin was exposed he refused to soften his heart.
Christ was concerned about the ignorance of His disciples and wanted them to watch with Him. He was concerned that they had no understanding of "the cup" which He was about to drink. This cup was the cup of our filth which He drunk on Calvary.
Yet, He finds them asleep. Are you also asleep - out of touch with what Jesus feels?
Despite His second reminder to watch their eyes were too heavy and they fell asleep yet again.
Jesus was faced with the cup which he, as the undefiled Son of God, was to drink. He was to be `baptised' into our sin, `saturated' by our iniquities. Though it was difficult He prayed that the Father's will should be done.

Can we say that we are now free, washed by His Blood? Christ went down into hell to release you from it.

What has the death of Jesus Christ done in your life? Let this Easter cause you to grow. Learn to watch with Him.

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