It’s Already Done

Keep Watch and Pray

On the night Jesus was betrayed (after the last supper), He went up to the Mount of Olives, into the garden of Gethsemane to pray. He told his disciples, “Keep watch and pray that you will not give into temptation, for the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Matthew 25:41)

How often I have gotten up while it was still dark in the early hours of the morning to keep watch and pray. My spirit was willing, but my body was weak and tired. I’d do my best with praise and repentance, but when I got to meditation, I would fall asleep, like Peter, James and John, in the garden of Gethsemane that night. They couldn’t even stay awake one hour while Jesus prayed. It says in the Word that Jesus’ anxiety was so great over what was to come that when he prayed, he sweat drops of blood. Can you imagine anxiety so intense that you would sweat drops of blood? I cannot even begin to fathom that.

But that’s what Jesus did. He was fully human and yet fully divine. He knew what he had to go through and what was lying ahead, but he also knew the Father’s ultimate plan of Victory. And because of what He’s done, we can know the Father’s plan of victory for our good. It’s a plan not intended for harm, but to give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

The Stone

However, our road ahead is most likely laden with obstacles and burdens. We carry heavy loads. We wonder who can move this great stone, these mountainous problems. Well, I’m here to tell you, only Jesus! But first, you have to be reconciled to Father God. Nothing but the blood of Jesus, can wash away your sin and make you whole again (as the song goes). You can be restored to be in relationship with Father God, your Creator, unbroken and made whole, like He intended back in the Garden of Eden. You can have a perfect connection to the God of the universe. And when you do, you find that “with God all things are possible”. (Matthew 19:26b)

Early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene (and some other women) went with spices to the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. “And they were saying to one another, who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3 ESV)

But, God knew their need even before they asked. The great provider, Jehovah Jireh provided an answer to their prayer even before it was even a prayer in their mind. The women arrived at the tomb and found that God’s angel had already rolled away that heavy stone. It was already done!

We know from many Biblical references that often when angels appear, there is bright light around them. This is what Mary and the others saw when they approached the tomb. The stone was rolled away, and men in dazzling apparel (angels) were sitting there waiting for them.

“And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why are you looking for the living amongst the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you when He was in Galilee, that the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” (Luke 24: 5-8 ESV)

Jesus overcame death and the grave! Hallelujah! And Jesus promised his disciples and us followers “…whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-17 ESV) And just like that, God moves our heavy burdens out of the way so that Jesus’ light can shine in our hearts, minds, homes and wherever we go. Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11: 24 ESV)

A Personal Relationship

As a follower of Jesus, a personal relationship with Him affords you all the benefits of salvation. It comes with forgiveness of sin, healing and deliverance from whatever holds you captive. Although this requires faith, God’s Word says faith comes by hearing His Word. So, read the Bible, increase your faith, believe in Jesus and He will move away the heavy stone. Often times that stone is the hardness of your own heart, your own unbelief.

After Jesus sent his disciples out to do miracles in His name, a man with a demon possessed child came to Jesus saying his disciples were not able to cast out the demon. Jesus called them a faithless generation. “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”(Mark 9:24 ESV)

Naturally, Jesus cast the demon out and the child was set free. But my point here is, not only can Jesus send demons packing, He can remove hard things and heavy burdens out of our life. A personal relationship with Him is the only requirement. Your faith increases, your heart softens and you begin to understand that the impossible is possible with Jesus.

Prayer is relationship with Jesus. Prayer is how you keep watch. Prayer in Jesus’ name is what connects you with your Heavenly Father. In fact, you can pray a prayer right now, and come into relationship with Jesus. Just believe and say, “Father God, forgive me for my sin, I need your help. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness sin and after three days, He rose from the dead. I believe I am now forgiven and am a new creation in Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord Jesus, in your name I pray, Amen!”

As a believer in Jesus Christ, more than you can ask or imagine is readily available. Read His Word (the Bible) and discover for yourself that He who promised is Faithful! Remember to continually keep watch and pray that you don’t fall into temptation and slip back into your old sinful ways. But take heart, because even though your soul may be willing and your body may be weak, the joy of the Lord will be your strength, and you will be able to do all things through Jesus. He will move away the stones, the heavy burdens! His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Check out my last blog. (Looking For Easy) Hallelujah! Jesus walked out of that grave; He is Risen, let us give Him thanks and praise! In Jesus, whatever we need is already done.