02/18/2025
Are you sleeping through the major opportunities and events in your life and faith? In doing so, do you have regrets, and despair over lost opportunities? As we consider this today, let's also realize that the time we have to do these things on this earth is short and the timing of them is unforgiving.
“Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.”
Matthew 26:38 KJV
The best example of failing to seize the opportunity to do the great things God asks of us at the moment of their fullness is found in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had gone there to pray and asked Peter and the two sons of Zebedee to stay awake and watch as He did so, but they fell asleep. They failed in their duty in this moment when danger was at its greatest and Jesus was most vulnerable.
When Jesus returned to where he left His disciples to watch over Him he found them asleep, not once... not twice... but three times. In this night of grave consequence and danger, they fell asleep on guard. In most militaries, the penalty for sleeping on guard would be death... and yet that is exactly what they did… they fell asleep on watch. Have we done similar things?
“And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?”
Matthew 26:40 KJV
And at last, in a final act of frustration and disappointment, Jesus says to them:
“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.”
Matthew 26:45 KJV
Then, realizing He was about to be captured He says this to them regarding Judas...
“Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.”
Matthew 26:46 KJV
In this pivotal moment when His disciples had failed Him, Judas was able to betray Him because the three sleeping Apostle guards hadn’t sounded the alarm. How do you think they would look back on this night? Do you think they were disappointed in themselves? Do you think they felt regret? It would be my opinion that they all lost sleep over how terribly they performed in the Garden… not just Judas, but all of them.
The interesting point to make here, is that on this night Judas performed his duties perfectly (if you look at them from the perspective of the Sanhedrin). Usually we experience our greatest sense of regret and failure when bad things happen, or evil prevails, because we have been derelict in our duties. But on this night Judas did exactly what he was paid to do by the Sanhedrin… he led them to Jesus and betrayed Him with a kiss. When evil triumphs because of our failure to act, we must hold ourselves responsible... and rightly so, but in the case of Judas he willingly did this thing, and like Saul (later named Peter) who persecuted the Christians and thought he was doing so rightly. Today we are studying those things we don’t do, we do without consulting the Lord in prayer, or that we procrastinate in doing until it is too late. Our model in life and faith is always Jesus Christ, so, Did He drag His feet when it came time to lay His life down for us? Did He forget to forgive the thief hanging on the cross next to Him on Calvary, or the crowd for crucifying Him?
“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[a] And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
Luke 23:33-34 ESV
This example is one we should never forget; it should strengthen us in our resolve to perform those things that must be done for the kingdom of God, and to do them right away; even if they are hard or cause us pain. We are asked to drink from bitter cups too, and asked to forgive our neighbors, and our enemies as well. Do we do what we are asked, when we are asked to do so?
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
Hebrews 12:3 ESV
Truthfully, we have all lapsed at some point, we have all failed to witness to someone only to find out days later that they were at a critical point in their lives... one in which they were teetering on the brink of a decision between right and wrong... and we failed them. Or were we told to do a certain thing that would have precluded something that caused great harm, but procrastinated? Then, when it happened, were we left with disappointment and regret? Moments such as these are opportunities lost forever, and we are left to live with the aftermath, and to anguish in our regrets.
“Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.”
Matthew 27:3-5 ESV
Fortunately for the disciples who failed in the Garden of Gethsemane, God's will was unfolding in dramatic fashion and their failure to stand watch was later seen to have been a part of His greater plan. However, we can't depend on our failures being redeemed in such a fashion. We should be doing those things that God calls us to do obediently with energy, determination and our best efforts.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:9-10 KJV
Remember, that although Judas played his part in God's plan, as the Lord knew by his nature that he would, he suffered the consequences for it, and although the disciples' failure in Gethsemane was proven to have been part of God's greater will for Jesus and mankind... they suffered personal regret as well. The difference is that one hung himself rather than asking for forgiveness, while the others showed remorse and sought forgiveness… which will we be?
Let’s avoid such situations altogether. We should seize the opportunity to do great things at the moment the Lord presents them to us. We should also do those things that are lesser as well, because we have no way of knowing when a small action will prove to have enormous consequences... when a little nap can lead to world changing events, or a few shekels of silver can damn us for eternity.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for continuing to ask me to do your will, even in the face of my procrastination or inactivity. Thank you for knowing my heart and leading me to bring my mind and body under subjugation. Father, strengthen me in my resolve to do those things that you ask of me. Let me do them promptly and without procrastination as I answer your call. You ask nothing of me that is frivolous, and I should perform my duties as if my life depended on each one. Lord, if I grow faint, strengthen me, if my resolve should waiver, encourage me, but if I should fail... forgive me Lord. In my success let me feel your joy, and in my failure let me learn from your correction. Always lead me forward to serve you in greater things and in a more perfect fashion. My aim is to serve you, and please you, always. Those tasks you ask me to perform, even towards my enemies, increase me in my faith, and are meant to work for your good purposes. I pray that you will always remind me of their importance, and that they are my part in your greater plan... your perfect will. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who was, and is, and is to come. Holy are you who always acts in the fullness of time to work your perfect will. Hear my voice as I cry out “Abba! Father! Here am I!” when you call upon me because you are indeed my Eternal Heavenly Father and I am your child. Let my efforts always meet your expectations, and please you in every way.
May all God’s children call out Hallelujah, and Amen!
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Galatians 4:4-7 ESV
“But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.””
Matthew 3:15-17 ESV
Rich Forbes