READING: Luke 9-11
Sometimes, it seems, the disciples of Jesus really needed to get some sleep. We know they slept from emotional and physical exhaustion when Jesus called them to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:45). In today’s reading, they’re sleeping on the mountain to which Jesus had taken them to pray (though the text in the original language could mean they were fighting hard to stay awake). Either way, the followers of Jesus were burdened with weariness. Matthew Henry points out that the disciples slept both in Jesus’ glory (the transfiguration) and in His agonies (the garden).
Perhaps they were weary from the climb up the mountain. The event itself may have taken place at night. It’s also possible the disciples were simply spiritually inattentive at the time, and sleep engulfed them. Whatever the cause, it’s a good thing the disciples woke up on the mountain to see the mighty display of God’s power and glory. How regretful it would have been had they slept entirely through this momentous event—and how regretful it is that you and I sometimes miss what God has for us because of our own weariness and inattentiveness.
I again turn to Matthew Henry for words that challenge me today: “What need have we to pray to God for quickening grace, to make us not only alive, but lively!”* We remain attentive to the things of God only because of His grace.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you exceedingly weary today? If so, lean on God.
PRAYER: “Father, grant me grace and attentiveness today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Luke 12-13
*Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume(p. 1853). Hendrickson.