03/30/2020
Are we watching and praying to protect ourselves against temptation, and bolster our faith in these times of great sickness and death in the world? As Easter quickly approaches we are reminded, like the disciples were, of what lies ahead for Jesus, and our relationship with Him. He told His apostles that when the shepherd goes away the sheep will scatter, and Peter quickly said that he would never fall away. Jesus responded by telling him that he would deny him not once, but three times. Today, He tells us just as directly that His return is close at hand, and what the signs of its arrival will be, but are we any more prepared to live out our faith in Him now than Peter was then?
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."”
Matthew 26:41 ESV
We know who Jesus is, and we know He will be coming soon to claim us. We read these words that were spoken to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, and we can’t believe it when we see that they fell asleep after being asked to pray and watch, but are we any better? Are we keenly standing guard, and watching for the earliest sign of our Lord’s return? Are the words He spoke to us regarding His coming fresh in our ears, and keeping us awake at night, or are we to be found sleeping too?
“"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."”
Luke 21:25-28 ESV
Are the plagues that were prophesied in the book of Revelation, and the great fever that is all around us today, reminder enough to cause our attention to be honed, and our anticipation heightened? Will we recognize the plagues when they are poured out, and keep count? Will we be watching and praying as we should, or will Jesus return to find us asleep on our watch?
“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.”
Revelation 15:1 ESV
This plague called Coronavirus that is upon the world today may not be one of the final seven plagues of God’s wrath, but it should serve as a reminder to us, and a warning cry to the unfaithful. God is mighty indeed, and His power is fearsome, stretching into every crevice, Even to the peaks of the mountains, and into the depths of the seas. From Him there is no hiding, and His promises are certain. This is a nudge in the night, and we should be awakened, and our slumber brought to an end. Now is the time for fervent and unceasing prayer, and to watch diligently day and night for the return of Jesus Christ.
Peter was told he would deny Jesus three times, and he did. Peter was also in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus and asked to pray and remain awake, but he did not... does this sound like the rock on which Jesus said he would build His Church? Jesus didn’t build His Church on the man who denied Him, but the man who wept at the realization of his failure. He didn’t build upon the man who neglected his prayers, and fell asleep in the Garden, but the man who cut off the ear of the soldier in defense of Him, and who was asked to feed His sheep.
“He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:15-18 ESV
So where are we today? Are we neglecting our prayers, and still falling asleep in the Garden? Are we cock certain we will stand by our Lord, but actually on the verge of denying Him? The Coronavirus that is racing around the world today is our wake up call. As we Quake, and are fearful of this sickness, we should pray all the harder, stand watch with our eyes wide open, and feed the sheep of Jesus. This moment in time is meant to transform us into worthy disciples on which the Church can be raised up, and into righteous men and women who watch faithfully for the return of our Lord.
“so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
Hebrews 9:28 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who came to defeat sin and death that we might be redeemed, and who will come again to claim His bride, the Church. Thank you Lord for the reminders we receive that you are sovereign, all powerful, and true to your Word. Thank you for waking us from our slumber, and sending us out into the world to win souls for your kingdom. Holy Father you shake us in the night, and heap fever upon our heads to warn us of our laxity in prayer, and watchfulness. Help us Lord to serve you diligently, and energetically. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who wakes our faith from its slumber, and sets our feet back on your righteous way. Praised be your name for the mercy and grace you pour over us, and for not allowing us to grow silent in prayer, or relaxed in our attentiveness to your Word. Great are you who sends travail, and suffering into the world, to remind us of the consequences of sin, and unbelief. Hear our prayers Father, and open our hearts, and eyes, to your commandments. We worship you in times of anxiety, and trouble, just as we do in our joy and celebration; join us in our feasts, and heal us from our illnesses. We find unending rest in you, and take our comfort in your Word. Father, look upon us, and find us loving you with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength, now... and forevermore.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalms 19:14 ESV
Rich Forbes