Thursday, April 2, 2026
Sleepy Saints  -Mark 14: 34-40

Since growing a bit older (seasoned, as our pastor would say) I find a warm, sunny spot in the afternoon in my house or while I’m driving to be an invitation to a nap! Being retired allows me the luxury of drowsy rest for about 20 to 30 minutes many days around 4 pm. Napping, for an old guy, is quite all right.

Spiritually, we cannot afford the luxury of becoming sleepy saints, though the temptation is often there. When life is going well, when we are getting along with our spouse and/or kids, when there is enough money, when our health is good – we may be tempted to let our prayers slip, to get casual about our worship commitments, to step back from active service.

After the Last Supper, Mark tells us about the failure in the disciple’s life brought on by their sleepiness. They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Peter urges us to remain awake and aware. “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.”  (1 Peter 5) Our vigilance is not fear-based nor should we allow ourselves to become filled with anxiety. Secure in God’s hand and sealed by the Holy Spirit will live in the confidence that God can care for us in every way.

The greater issue for the Christian is not external, but from within us. We can just become complacent, a sleepy saint. This warning tells us -“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”  (Hebrews 2)

Are you drowsy, lacking a faith that is alive and engaged? Take the challenge of the Revelation. “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”  (Revelation 3)
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For reflection –

Am I engaged actively in spiritual growth?
Is there any part of my Christian experience where I am currently adrift/aimless?
To what discipline should I commit myself to “stay alert” and awake spiritually?

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If you would like to share your thoughts or prayer needs with me you may do by emailing me – JerScott55@gmail.com

For a video of this devotion go to https://www.youtube.com/@FaithDiscoveryChurch