Peter Falls Asleep
Two millennia and generations of worldly theologians have distanced the experiences of the apostles from the lives of Christians today. The separation has prevented today’s followers from getting the full benefit of the lessons contained in scripture. One must make scripture personal to gain deeper insight into fostering a relationship with Jesus.
Approaching the culmination of his mission, the apostles joined Jesus for Passover where he explained that his body and blood would be the final sacrifice and a new covenant with God to be celebrated with bread and wine. The Passover meal offered generous portions. It’s likely that few (if any) of the apostles present fully understood the significance of the communion ritual at that time. Then they were stuffed with a bigger than normal meal. Like Americans who celebrate a Thanksgiving feast, the apostles were satiated and tired from the work of digestion. At this relaxed moment, Jesus asked three of them to join him in a nearby garden and wait while he engaged in deep prayer. Not surprisingly, they fell asleep.
And he (Jesus) 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 (three of the apostles) 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…
