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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Wednesday, June 11, 2003 “Awake or Asleep” |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, June 11, 2003 By Brenda Kessler
Text for the day: Matthew 26:36-55
Many years ago when I was a young emergency room nurse in Madison, Wisconsin, one of my colleagues was a young man who had escaped from a communist country by swimming from his country to another country across a body of water when the border guard was asleep. Larry was free not only because he was an exceptional swimmer but also because a guard fell asleep. Eventually, he made his way to America. I always welcomed those quiet times during the night when Larry would share his stories with me – stories of courage, stories of family left behind, stories of life in an oppressed country. And – I was thankful that a guard had fallen asleep.
In the 26th chapter of Matthew we find Jesus’ disciples falling asleep. Jesus had taken Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him to Gethsemane. When he returned after praying he found them sleeping even after he said to them, “Stay here and keep watch with me.” A second time he went away and prayed, “My father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When Jesus came back to his disciples He found them sleeping yet a second time. So he went away a third time and prayed the same thing. “…may your will be done.” Notice. Jesus did not come down heavy on his disciples for falling asleep but rather prayed that the Father’s will be done.
How often do we, as Jesus’ disciples in the year 2003, fall asleep? Jesus asks us to “stay here and keep watch with me” wherever we are.
Do we fall asleep when a neighbor is hurting? Do we fall asleep when a spouse needs encouraging words? Do we fall asleep when a child needs a hug? Do we fall asleep when a fellow metro rider needs a smile?
Even in the year 2003 Jesus asks us to “keep watch with me.” Jesus asks us to bring His love to a hurting neighbor. Jesus asks us to share an encouraging word with a spouse. Jesus asks us to hug a child. Jesus asks us to smile at a fellow metro rider.
Let us be awake for Jesus!
Prayer: Precious Lord, thank you for never falling asleep on us. Forgive us for the many times we fall asleep and miss opportunities to share your love. Help us to keep watch with you, always knowing that you are with us even when we are asleep.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry. Pastor Dave welcomes and appreciates feedback. pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org.