“Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.” Revelation 3:2 ESV
Reflection: how can you know whether you are asleep or awake?
The disciples’ eyes got so heavy. It was late in the evening. They had just had the most amazing Passover meal together which included some wine and witnessed so many significant events they were still trying to figure out. Even how the people in Jerusalem were greeting Jesus as king. Could this be the start of the messianic kingdom? Perhaps they no longer will be harassed and belittled from following Jesus of Nazareth. Perhaps they will even get positions in the messianic kingdom? Things were about to change. They could feel it. And, as they finally sit down for just a moment to rest in the garden, waiting for Jesus as He wanted to pray for a while, they fall asleep.
Now, we know the story, of course. But let me challenge your knowledge here, for just a moment. I had an opportunity to listen to an amazing sermon yesterday, that changed my perspective of this well known story. It is most likely true that the disciples fell asleep physically, sitting there. But when we think of what Jesus told them, after finding them asleep, there is more here. Let’s read what Jesus told them. “And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”” Matthew 26:40-41 ESV. He is talking about being watchful, that the flesh is weak and easily falling for temptation. Clearly, He is NOT talking about physical sleep.
He is talking about spiritual sleep. The disciples were spiritually asleep to the events that were about to happen.
If we think about what happened next, as Jesus was betrayed and gave Himself into the hands of sinners, we see the disciples all deserting Him, even denying Him. And, remember, Jesus had even told His disciples multiple times what was going to happen. But they didn’t understand or catch it. Actually they didn’t WANT that to be true. They most likely wanted something else to be true, like the messianic kingdom to be established. That seemed like a better plan to them. Remember Peter told Jesus “this must never happen to you” as he corrected Jesus. The truth, God’s plan as it played out, was so different than they had envisioned. They were caught by surprise.
Is the church today prepared for what is about to happen?
In the focus verse today, we read of the Spirit’s message to the church; this one to the church of Sardis. Let’s read a couple more verses for context. ““And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” Revelation 3:1-3 ESV.
I am very concerned that this is so reflective of many (most?) church communities today. They have created a doctrine by “cherry-picking” verses that best fit their doctrine, as opposed to following what Jesus commanded. They keep their congregations busy with all sorts of activities, but missing the fundamental focus of teaching the whole Bible. The people are not studying and consuming the word of God, so they can follow Him and have life. They are, like Sardis and even like the disciples, asleep and therefore not keeping watch, aware of what is going on. To which Jesus says “Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” Revelation 3:3 ESV. Serious words.
Jesus calls out that there are a few who are not asleep. “Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”Revelation 3:4-6 ESV
What are you listening to? Who are you following? It is time to wake up! It is time to repent and do the works Jesus commanded of us. “Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.” Revelation 3:2 ESV