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Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:36-38

"Watch With Me"

Intro.

1. The hour for which Jesus had come into the world had arrived, and Jesus’ soul was deeply troubled, Jno. 12:27 (Matt. 26:36-38).

2. The Passover meal with is apostles was bittersweet; Judas would soon betray Him, Peter would deny Him multiple times, and all the apostles would soon forsake Him.

a. He instituted the Lord’s supper, Matt. 26:26-28.

b. He promised them another Comforter, Jno. 14:15-18.

c. He prayed for His apostles and for us, John 17.

d. They sang a hymn and went to Gethsemane, Matt. 26:30.

3. Describe the scene, Matt. 26:36-38: “Watch with Me.”

a. Jesus was “sorrowful and deeply distressed...exceedingly sorrowful” – Jesus was extremely sad, a heavy heart of despair (cf. Lk. 22:43-44).

b. Watch: Metaph. to watch i. e. give strict attention to, be cautious, active.^[1]

I. SPIRITUAL WATCHFULNESS REQUIRES:

A. Sacrifice, Matt. 26:39-41. Heb. 5:7a (Rom. 12:1)

-cf. Convenience v. conviction, Acts 24:25

B. Submission, Matt. 26:42-43. Heb. 5:7b; Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:6

-cf. Wearing the yoke of Christ (Matt. 11:29-30)

C. Steadfastness, Matt. 26:44. Heb. 5:8-9; 10:35-39; 12:1-3

-cf. Stony soil, Mk. 4:16-17

D. Surrender, Matt. 26:45-46. Lk. 9:23; Gal. 2:20

-cf. “I Surrender All”

II. WE MUST BE WATCHFUL:

A. To See and Resist Temptations, Matt. 26:41 (26:33-35, 58, 69ff).

1. Curiosity, not conviction, led Peter into temptation and the sin of betrayal, 1 Pet. 5:8.

2. Live carefully, Eph. 5:15-16; cf. Matt. 6:13.

B. To Fulfill Our Duties as Faithful Servants of Christ, Mk. 13:32-37.

1. Not distracted by the world, Lk. 21:34-36.

2. Spiritual readiness: Prepared and persevering, Matt. 25:10-13.

3. Watchfulness is commanded of:

a. Elders, Acts 20:31. Themselves and others (Heb. 13:17).

b. Preachers, 2 Tim. 4:5.

c. Devoted Christians, 1 Cor. 16:13.

d. In prayer, Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2 (1 Pet. 4:7).

e. Against spiritual neglect, 1 Thess. 5:6.

4. Watchfulness requires self-examination and repentance when we find sin, Rev. 3:2-3 (2 Jno. 8).

Conclusion

1. Jesus shows us how to watch with Him.

2. “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (Rev. 16:15)

^[1] Thayer, J. H. (1889). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: being Grimm’s Wilke's Clavis Novi Testamenti (p. 122). New York: Harper & Brothers.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: March 1, 2017