“Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep, and when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him.” Luke 9:32 HCSB

We often slander peter for sleeping. But we found out in verse 28 that they climbed either a 1,900-foot mountain or a 9,000-foot mountain. So if anyone of us would not be tired from that climb I applaud you because I would be. 

Next, we know that Jesus was praying. I am sure that Peter, John, and James started by listening to Jesus and praying also, but after a while, the weariness of the climb and the lack of movement caused them to be tired and one by one they gave into sleep. 

Now while they were sleeping Moses and Elijah could come and talk with Jesus in private and God can show off Jesus' glory.

You will no doubt know that this will not be the only time that Peter was sleeping while Jesus was praying.

“He went out and made His way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. When He reached the place, He told them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me — nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. Being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. When He got up from prayer and came to the disciples, He found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. “Why are you sleeping? ” He asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:39-46 HCSB

The body is weak and often we cannot fight sleep unless we are doing something that we enjoy then we can find a second wind and press through till we are tired again. I imagine that Peter lived many days on that second wind, but when slow times came they settled down for a nap. 

How often do we nap in our relationship with Jesus? We want more of God but when it comes to praying and reading the Bible we would rather nap. Or God is calling us to minister to someone and we brush Him off and do not act on that urge from God. 

“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
Matthew 26:41 NLT

Keep watch and pray —Be on the lookout for what God is doing. 

So that you will not give in to temptation— so that you may be spiritually equipped with the armor of God.

For the Spirit is willing — The Holy Spirit in you is willing and able to keep you on the right path.

But the body is weak — The body is not able to resist the temptation to veer from the right path.

Stop napping against God but fall into His rest.

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 HCSB

Consider David’s adultery with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11.

1.  David stayed home and was resting while His men were out fighting.
2.  After David took an early afternoon nap He was out looking at his city. When He noticed a woman.
3.  David inquired who she was and found out she was the wire of Uriah one of His best fighters.

David could have stopped there and never sinned.

4.  But He did not and He had Her delivered to His palace and slept with her. Then he sent her back home.
5.  When Bathsheba found out she was pregnant David had Uriah return home to cover up His sin. Uriah would not go and sleep with his wife while the other soldiers were out in the battlefield missing their own wives and beds.
6.  David sent Him back to the fight and put the order to have Uriah in the fiercest battle in the front to kill him.
7.  Then after He was dead David took Bathsheba home to be his wife. 

David’s pattern helps us see our own patterns.

1.  We take ourselves out of the battle.
2.  We see something we want.
3.  We begin to ask questions that draw us closer to it.
4.  We take the bait.
5.  We try to cover it up. 
6.  We hide it.
7.  We continue to live with it.

“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
Matthew 26:41 NLT

If we keep watch and pray we will stop at step 1 and our outcome will be different.



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