The Last 24 Hours - Week 4 - 3/23/25

Matthew 26:30-46 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” 

Jesus and the disciples have wrapped up their last supper, and Jesus headed out to the Mt of Olives, and more specifically a garden of olive trees on the west side facing Jerusalem, to pray. When they get to the area Jesus warns them that they are all in danger of falling away that very night, and the disciples respond with a resounding No. Peter went further to include his willingness to die for Jesus that very night and Matthew records that all the other disciples, with the exception of Judas, agreed. They follow Jesus to the west side of the Mt of Olives and came to a place called Gethsemane, or oil press. Jesus leaves 8 disciples and invites Peter, James and John further into the garden to pray and support him in this overwhelming time. Throughout the next few hours Jesus would reel in agony, praying to the Father and requesting a reprieve from what was to come and yet submitting without exception to the father’s will. He would be strengthened by an angel and later arrested after Judas gives a sign. Peter, James, and John would tire quickly and be unable to support Jesus or even pray for their own strength, which would later prove devastating to all of them but especially Peter. 

Confidence never makes up for lack of preparation. 

Matthew 26:33–35 “33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.”

Has the modern church overused confidence in an attempt to cover for living unprepared?

Luke 22:39 “39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.”

As followers of Christ we are to be confident in the power available to us, but the only way we understand that is through time in prayer and God’s word.  Start with the basics before moving to the big leagues.

Peter went immediately to the idea that he was willing to die for Jesus, but in reality he was not strong enough to even be associated with him.

Mark 9:28–29 “28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”” 

The disciples are showing a habit of assuming because they are “with” Jesus that they can perform whatever Jesus does. Proximity does not equal relationship. Jesus points out that prayer establishes intimacy and power. 

Stay awake for someone else. 

Matthew 26:37–40 “37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?” 

Jesus was in horrible agony and wanted the disciples' support during this difficult time.

You do not have to have a solution to sit in watch with someone. You do not have to have answers to sit and watch with someone. You simply have to be present, alert, and in prayer.  Your ability to stay awake is directly related to your assessment of the circumstances

The disciples were in a state of ambiguity where they were not sure of what was happening. What they failed to realize was the depth of the pain and agony Jesus was already in. Their inability to watch and pray with him for one hour added to Jesus’ frustration. 

Matthew 26:40 “40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?” 

Stay awake for yourself. 

Matthew 26:40–41 “40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”” 

Jesus gave the perfect example of resisting the desire of the flesh. His communion with the Father allowed him to express the desire of the flesh but submit to the will of the Father. This is the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray, but you have to be awake to pray it.  When you are consistent in prayer you give God the opportunity to restore you. 

Isaiah 40:31 “31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” 

God was telling the Israelites in exile that he would be their strength to make the journey back to the land he had given them before the judgement of the exile. He would be their strength, and the one that sustains them in the difficult 700 mile journey. There would be temptations to quit, but he would be their strength as they waited on him. 

Luke 22:39–43 “39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.” 

Temptation is coming, and Jesus gave us the example of how to deal with it. When our flesh is weak, God will strengthen our spirit to resist the temptation and fulfill the will of the Father. 

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