While reading and preparing for a Bible study, on the Transfiguration, one small portion of a verse, that I’ve normally passed over, caught my attention. “Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory..” Luke 9:32. If you recall the story, Jesus had taken Peter, James and John, the 3 disciples that He thought truly understood who he was, up a mountain to pray. At this time, in Jesus’ life, the cross was looming ominously ahead of him. He had to be certain that at least some of his followers comprehended his mission, and would be able to continue it after his death. The scripture goes on to tell us that Moses and Elijah appeared, and that Jesus’ real identity was revealed in dazzling brilliance. But where were those faithful disciples? Asleep!! I’m not here to point accusing fingers, God certainly knows how many times I’ve fallen asleep while praying, but rather to allow us all to ponder on the causes of spiritual sleepiness, and how it robs us of his richest blessings.
SLEEP INDUCERS:
1. A Closed Mind/Prejudice- Our minds can be so set in their ways, that any new idea will encounter a closed door. When Christ knocks, we roll over and go back to sleep.
2. Mental Lethargy- Lots of people don’t want the strain or struggle that comes with serious thought. “An unexamined life,” said Plato, “is not worth living.” Do we really think things out, or just sleep walk through them.
3. The Love of Ease- We all have a kind of defense mechanism that makes us shut the door against any disturbing thought. A man can drug himself mentally until his mind is sound asleep.
God has created lots of things in life that are designed to wake us up.
GODLY ALARM CLOCKS:
1. Sorrow- Often this emotion comes as a rude awakening, but in that moment, if we allow God to enter, we will see his glory.
2. Love- Real love, is an awakening to horizons we never dreamed were there.
3. Sense of Need- Man can go through life half asleep, living in a boring routine, then an insoluble problem comes up. The wise man will shake off his slumber, and realize that only God has the answers. (borrowed from William Barclay’s commentary)
Adequate sleep is meant to refresh us, but too much will lead to physical and spiritual malaise. No one wants an employee who sleeps on the job, or a parent who snoozes when a child needs them, and God certainly needs us to be wide awake prepared to do what he has planned. So, throw off those excuse covers, and wake up to life in Christ!
"Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
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