Awakening to the Adventure of Faith
Acts 1:4-8,12,13a,14; 2:1-4
Luke 22:40, 45-46; Mark 14:32,34,37-42; Matthew 26:36-38,40-41,43-46
Don’t be too hard on the disciples. They were ordinary folks like you and me, full of hopes, fears, and stumbles along the way. In the book of Acts, we see them gathered in Jerusalem, just as Jesus had instructed. He told them to wait together for something extraordinary: a baptism in the Holy Spirit that would empower them like never before. And wait they did—not scattered or distracted, but united in one place, lifting their hearts in prayer. Then, on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit came rushing in like a mighty wind, filling them with fire and boldness. It was a beautiful fulfillment of Jesus’ promise, a moment where heaven touched earth and changed everything.
But rewind a bit, and we find a stark contrast in the Garden of Gethsemane, on that fateful night before the cross. Jesus, heavy with sorrow, asked His closest friends to stay awake with Him, to watch and pray. “Pray so that you won’t fall into temptation,” He urged them. Yet, three times, He found them sleeping. Their eyes were heavy, their bodies weary from the weight of it all. It wasn’t just physical tiredness; it was the weakness of our human flesh getting the better of them. They’d heard Jesus pour out His soul that evening—warnings of betrayal, promises of suffering—but instead of joining Him in prayer, they drifted off. Oh, how our hearts ache for them, because we’ve been there too, haven’t we? Those times when the call to pray feels distant, and sleep—or distraction—seems so much easier.
What was this temptation Jesus warned about? The Scriptures don’t spell it out in black and white, but we can see shadows of it in their lives. Maybe it was the pride that tripped up Peter, thinking he was unbreakable. Or the sneaky desire to be seen as the greatest among friends. Perhaps it was the urge to run from trouble, to escape the conflict brewing around them. It could even be that all-too-familiar habit of fretting over someone else’s mistakes while ignoring our own hearts. But at its core, I believe Jesus was pointing to the lure of spiritual sleep—that drowsy state where we become inactive, unavailable to God and others.
Think about what sleep really means in our walk with the Lord. It’s not just closing our eyes at night; it’s zoning out from the world around us, becoming numb to the urgency of the moment. We meet our own basic needs—food, rest, routine—while tuning out the cries of those hurting nearby or the gentle nudges of the Spirit. This kind of slumber creeps in from two sides. Outside forces pound away: the endless demands of work, family pressures, church commitments that leave us exhausted. Inside, it’s the battles we fight quietly—grief that weighs us down, anger that simmers, feeling misunderstood or underappreciated, burnout from giving too much, doubts that erode our trust, or the frantic pace of life that drowns out God’s voice. Before we know it, we’re dozing through the very adventures He has for us.
Yet, on this side of the resurrection, everything changes. The disciples, once sleepy in the garden, now snap awake in Jerusalem. No more resting on the sidelines; the tomb is empty, and Jesus’ promises are alive and kicking. They gather, not out of obligation, but with eager hearts, covering their lives together in prayer. This is the life He’s calling us to as well. If you’ve been spiritually asleep—drifting through days without that fire—it’s time to shake it off. Snap out of it! The resurrection conquered death, and it conquered our excuses for inaction too.
Now, they weren’t praying in that upper room to twist God’s arm for the Holy Spirit—Jesus had already promised He’d come in just a few days, no strings attached. So what filled their prayers? I imagine they cried out for strength to be witnesses, sharing Jesus’ love at every turn, no matter the who, what, or where. They sought eyes to see the urgency of their time, to act with purpose in a world desperate for hope. They braced for the troubles ahead, knowing speaking Jesus’ name would bring opposition, just as He foretold. Drawing from Jesus’ own prayer in the garden, they likely asked for unity—to serve as one body, bound in love. And oh, how they must have pleaded to live worthy of the glory Jesus shared with them, worthy of the Kingdom He’d bestowed.
These aren’t ancient wishes; they’re for us today. Every prayer point pulls us from slumber into a faith-filled adventure. As we navigate our days on earth—joys, trials, and all—we anticipate eternity with Him. Prayer isn’t a chore; it’s the fuel that puts our faith to work, turning ordinary moments into kingdom breakthroughs. The days of sleeping are over, beloved. Now is the time of fulfillment, where the Spirit empowers us to live wide awake, embracing the call with open arms.
Let’s commit to this together. Wake up to the warmth of His presence, the comfort of His promises, and the challenge to step out boldly. You’re not alone in this—He’s with you every step.
Heavenly Father, stir our hearts from any slumber today. Help us pray with urgency and unity, ready to witness Your love and face whatever comes. Make us worthy of Your glory and Kingdom, turning our lives into adventures for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Mark
