“Watch And Pray…!”

“Watch And Pray…!”(Mt.26:31-56).
“Then Jesus told them, This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’
33 Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’
34 ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’
35 But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same.
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. 41 ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’
42 He went away a second time 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.’ 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!’
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, friend.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 ‘Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’
55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.”
It is easy for us to say the apostles were all fair weather friends. But then what was written had to come true: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”
Again, Jesus was able to call on his Father, who would’ve put more than twelve legions of angels at Jesus’ disposal. “But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
When it has to be the way it has to be, the LORD will not fight for you! When it has to be the way God had planned, friends will run away. Don’t blame them for that!
Besides, it was a strategic move for the disciples to desert Jesus and flee. They had to stay alive to continue the work of Christ as eye witnesses.
Even though you should trust your friends, watch out when a friend’s kiss is a signal for your enemies to identify you!
Before his arrest, Jesus said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Yes, my friend, watch and pray for the temptation come in many forms.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, you suffered many things for my sake. Inspire me through the Holy Spirit to always watch and pray. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
31/03/2026.