Jesus Slept
Sunday evening has come again. The activities of the weekend along with the responsibilities on Sunday have depleted my physical and mental energy. The simple yet satisfying evening meal starts the process of physically shutting down for the day; the weekend; the week. The change of clothes into the relaxed home attire (no need for details), the position in my appropriately named recliner and the attempt to read or watch television are the immediate causes to uncontrollable heaviness in the eyelids. After the renowned leg jerk brings me back from dozing off to a semi-awareness of where I am, the last steps of the day are now taken. The click of the living room lamp to off, flip of the fan switch to on and the closing of the bedroom door is a cherished ritual.
It’s amazing how much of a vital role age plays in the simplest of our necessary behaviors. One such important daily event is sleeping. From birth to adolescence, we fight sleep. Perhaps the brain is in overdrive attempting to attain all it possibly can. The most secure position in the arms of a loving parent, while rocking in a chair or swaying in a glider is considered cruel punishment to the baby. This is made perfectly clear in their squirming and screaming. The movie or video game to the toddler or pre-teen is too important to walk away from though it’s been viewed or played a minimum of ten times. The teenager doesn’t have time to sleep due to texting, instant messaging, surfing the net or talking on the phone.
No desire to sleep? That seems absurd to me at the age of 34. I literally smile every night when I lie down. I love to sleep. Because I was raised in a Christian home and taught that angels watch over us, along with when I was old enough to know Christ is always with me and living in me after salvation, I found nothing short of comfort when it is time to go to sleep. I feel completely protected; even in an unsecure world. I know that people live in unfathomable conditions and the luxury of a good night’s sleep is non-existent. However, those who have accepted Christ as their Savior and understand His presence in their life can find themselves at peace when they sleep.
Jesus slept. Yes, the Son of God slept while he was in the flesh on Earth. Can you imagine the depth of his sleep? Because he was a man, his mind was filled with daily activities, family, schedule, His Father’s plan, purpose, memories, scripture, responsibility, enemies, troubles and losses. But, He knew who He was. I imagine a smile on His face each night when He would lie down. He smiled because He fulfilled the Father’s will for that day. He smiled because his body was tired and to rest his feet and legs from travel was much needed and the stress of his limbs was released. He smiled because the burning sensation of his eyes due to drying in the heat and dust from the day subsided upon the closing of his eyelids. Yes, our Savior slept. He gave us another example of the depth of peace we attain by having a relationship with Christ by way of sleeping.
When the disciples feared for their lives because of the storm that seemed to overtake them on the Sea of Galilee, they looked at one another and found one less worried face among them. They were huddled at the bow of the boat for a better view of their surroundings. Their minds immediately united, not in faith but in fear, with one question; where is Jesus? Simultaneously, they turn and look to the stern. Jesus was asleep. Their expressions changed to surprise. Some gave the immediate notion of anger. It was their nature. Frantically they pleaded with the Master. “Master.” It’s funny how that title for Jesus was appropriate when He gave an inspiring message or performed a miracle so many times in the midst of this same group, yet they had forgotten the title is relevant in every moment. Jesus was so at peace in His sleep that the storm never fazed his rest. The disciples had to awaken Him. They could not understand that even though Jesus slept, there was peace. He had to speak that peace for them to see and know. Jesus was not disappointed in being awakened to declare peace. He was disappointed that His followers felt a necessity to awaken Him.
Jesus never denied the severity of the storm. He diffused its power with His peace. There is no doubt you have been, you are currently facing, or most certainly will be in the midst of storms. The storms are a hindrance and a distraction to your mission when you allow them to be. With the power of the Spirit in us, we don’t have to fret. Turn around. Look in the stern. Jesus is still there. Instead of awakening Him in fear, lie down beside Him in faith. Let His peace be your blanket. Smile. You will sleep well.
It’s amazing how much of a vital role age plays in the simplest of our necessary behaviors. One such important daily event is sleeping. From birth to adolescence, we fight sleep. Perhaps the brain is in overdrive attempting to attain all it possibly can. The most secure position in the arms of a loving parent, while rocking in a chair or swaying in a glider is considered cruel punishment to the baby. This is made perfectly clear in their squirming and screaming. The movie or video game to the toddler or pre-teen is too important to walk away from though it’s been viewed or played a minimum of ten times. The teenager doesn’t have time to sleep due to texting, instant messaging, surfing the net or talking on the phone.
No desire to sleep? That seems absurd to me at the age of 34. I literally smile every night when I lie down. I love to sleep. Because I was raised in a Christian home and taught that angels watch over us, along with when I was old enough to know Christ is always with me and living in me after salvation, I found nothing short of comfort when it is time to go to sleep. I feel completely protected; even in an unsecure world. I know that people live in unfathomable conditions and the luxury of a good night’s sleep is non-existent. However, those who have accepted Christ as their Savior and understand His presence in their life can find themselves at peace when they sleep.
Jesus slept. Yes, the Son of God slept while he was in the flesh on Earth. Can you imagine the depth of his sleep? Because he was a man, his mind was filled with daily activities, family, schedule, His Father’s plan, purpose, memories, scripture, responsibility, enemies, troubles and losses. But, He knew who He was. I imagine a smile on His face each night when He would lie down. He smiled because He fulfilled the Father’s will for that day. He smiled because his body was tired and to rest his feet and legs from travel was much needed and the stress of his limbs was released. He smiled because the burning sensation of his eyes due to drying in the heat and dust from the day subsided upon the closing of his eyelids. Yes, our Savior slept. He gave us another example of the depth of peace we attain by having a relationship with Christ by way of sleeping.
When the disciples feared for their lives because of the storm that seemed to overtake them on the Sea of Galilee, they looked at one another and found one less worried face among them. They were huddled at the bow of the boat for a better view of their surroundings. Their minds immediately united, not in faith but in fear, with one question; where is Jesus? Simultaneously, they turn and look to the stern. Jesus was asleep. Their expressions changed to surprise. Some gave the immediate notion of anger. It was their nature. Frantically they pleaded with the Master. “Master.” It’s funny how that title for Jesus was appropriate when He gave an inspiring message or performed a miracle so many times in the midst of this same group, yet they had forgotten the title is relevant in every moment. Jesus was so at peace in His sleep that the storm never fazed his rest. The disciples had to awaken Him. They could not understand that even though Jesus slept, there was peace. He had to speak that peace for them to see and know. Jesus was not disappointed in being awakened to declare peace. He was disappointed that His followers felt a necessity to awaken Him.
Jesus never denied the severity of the storm. He diffused its power with His peace. There is no doubt you have been, you are currently facing, or most certainly will be in the midst of storms. The storms are a hindrance and a distraction to your mission when you allow them to be. With the power of the Spirit in us, we don’t have to fret. Turn around. Look in the stern. Jesus is still there. Instead of awakening Him in fear, lie down beside Him in faith. Let His peace be your blanket. Smile. You will sleep well.
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