A German bank employee was in the middle of transferring 62.40 euros from a customer’s bank account when he suddenly nodded off. His “power-nap” took place while his finger was still on the “2” key, resulting in a 222-million euro (300 million dollars US) transfer into the customer’s account. The sleepy state of the worker nearly became a nightmare for the bank, all because he wasn’t being alert.
Jesus warned His disciples that if they didn’t remain alert, they too would make a costly mistake. He took the men to a place called Gethsemane to spend some time in prayer (Luke 22:40). As He was praying, sorrow washed over Him—sadness to the point of distress. It was unlike anything He had ever known in His earthly life.
Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to stay awake with him (Matthew 26:38). Yet, in His moment of greatest need, He found them snoozing (Matthew 26:40-41). Their failure to give the Master the support He needed would leave them defenseless when the real temptation was upon them. He charged them to remain alert and expectant so that they would not fall into temptation—the temptation of denying Him. The disciples needed spiritual vigilance, which, in this case, included physical self-control.
Today, the Savior calls us to live out the same spiritual vigilance that He desired from the first disciples. Staying awake and avoiding the most costly mistake of denying Jesus means spending more time on our knees. We must devote our entire being “to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” (Colossians 4:2), to pray in the power of “the Spirit at all times and on every occasion” (Ephesians 6:18), and to “be earnest and disciplined in [our] prayers” until He returns (1 Peter 4:7).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: James 1:2-27
More:
Read Revelation 3:2-3 and think about Jesus’ warning to stay awake and not neglect watchfulness.
Next:
If Jesus graded your prayer life at this moment, would He commend you for your diligence or rebuke you for sleeping on the job? In what part of your prayerlife do you need to become more disciplined?
Purpose on December 19, 2014 at 2:51 am
Where would this bank and branch be? I would certainly like this banker to be my portfolio manager! 🙂
ghchong on December 19, 2014 at 4:53 am
Sigh, the fruits of belonging to the “Carnal Christian’s Club”, which of course doesn’t exist (even as an oxymoron). I had hoped to say something to uplift the good spirits of other people but settle for wishing you and your family a very Merry X’mas instead, nevertheless!
Purpose on December 19, 2014 at 6:27 am
hey chong! – you are funny mate – you have your purpose here indeed. a merry ‘crook’miss or Christmiss(ing) to you.
How is this for a for an ‘oxy’ – Ecc 10:19 (erv) “People enjoy eating, and wine makes life happier. But money solves a lot of problems.”
Winn Collier on December 21, 2014 at 2:55 pm
Nothing wrong with a little humor. I’m smiling with you.
Gary Shultz on December 19, 2014 at 6:14 am
Certainly we must even be vigilant about our approach to Christmas thinking. All the stuff and things whirling through our lives with an amassed pile of bills. I have used the short outline Winn talked about “the Prayer of Examen” and have found it to be a great help in stay vigilant basically keeping God’s presence before us leading to the other disciplines, which I usually don’t get to because I am overwhelmed with the thoughts of God with us. May your Christmas be blessed with His thoughts.
Winn Collier on December 21, 2014 at 2:52 pm
glad to hear you’re using it, Gary. I also think another gift Christmas particularly offers is the discipline of generosity. I’m find much gratitude for how so many have an extra reason to be generous toward others – being vigilant of God’s presence by staying attuned to our neighbor’s and loved one’s presence.
Winn Collier on December 21, 2014 at 2:50 pm
I think teaching people to stay awake is one of the church’s main jobs.