WHY SLEEP YE
Wednesday – September 25, 2019, Elul 25, 5779
Greetings my very precious brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. God is good and nothing but good. That is not just a religious saying, or pep rally talk to puff one another up, but it is the reality of God, of the Kingdom of God. Whatever is not good in our lives we have allowed even invited by our choices not His. Perhaps you are thinking right now, “why in the world did I start reading this?” Put aside emotions and read on dear saints. Until we take full responsibility for our thoughts, our words, and the actions that follow we will be stuck in a spiral of defeat. White knuckling it until Jesus comes or we die. If you are reading this on Facebook please take a moment to hit the “love” and “share” buttons to give us feedback and to partner with us in spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God. Oh, by the way welcome back to this ongoing and powerful Bible Study of the Book of John. Let’s dive into todays lesson by first reading aloud our primary Bible text.
John 13:1-5 (KJV)
1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
As we proceed further in our primary Bible text, we find that the supper (Last Supper) is over. From other texts in the gospels we would see Judas leaving the supper to go to the High Priests and betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. The Apostle Paul tells us in his writing that the other disciples thought he was going out to give to the poor since he was the keeper of the bag. Jesus did indeed go about doing good, which is giving money into peoples lives just as we are to do as led of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38). Verse three of our text lets us know that Jesus is fully aware that He came from the Father and will very soon be returning to the Father. So, what about Him knowing that the Father had put all things into His hands (verse three)? The future of mankind even the future of Jesus hung in the balance, rested upon His shoulders. This was the most pivotal time in all of human history. Jesus wrestled with His mission at least for a moment in the hours before Calvary in the Garden of Gethsemane. He wrestled just as we wrestle sometimes, did we, will we make the right decision? We must make the right decision just as Jesus did.
Luke 22:39-46 (KJV)
39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
In our primary Bible text Jesus is about to wash the disciples’ feet and we will review that tomorrow and I think present a view that will bring liberation and light. Now, let’s turn our attention back to the secondary Bible text from the Book of Luke. Notice in verse forty-two Jesus asks the Father if there is not another way. Perhaps we have said a similar thing in our own circumstances when we were asked of God to do what seemed like a hard thing and perhaps was a very hard thing but with His Strength (Holy Spirit) would in fact be easy. Perhaps we asked if there wasn’t another way or perhaps the cup (duty) could pass from us altogether. However, when that temptation comes, we must like Jesus all in the same sentence say, Father not my will but your will be done. As I finish for today, I want to direct our attention to verses forty and forty-six in the Luke text. Notice the phrase or admonition to pray that we enter not into temptation. So, we can conclude that at least one reason to pray, talk with the Lord, among many is so that we don’t enter into temptation. It is not so temptation does not come but that when it comes, we recognize it and enter not into the temptation. Once a temptation is entered into it is much harder to extricate oneself then not to enter in the first place. We give it no place at the onset and we are not to have a conversation with it like Eve (and Adam) in the Garden of Eden. Tomorrow, Lord willing, foot washing.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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