LISTEN TO COME AND SEE! CHAPTER 9– SLEEPYHEADS
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Welcome to this special Easter edition of Redeeming the Chaos with Laurie Christine!
A FAMILY DEVOTIONAL FOR EASTER
For 30 days leading up to Easter, I will be reading to you from my easter devotional book, Come and See! 30 Family Bible Stories for Easter.
Today, I am reading Come and See! Chapter 9 – SLEEPYHEADS.
Come and See! invites families of elementary-aged children to experience firsthand the anticipation, the sorrow, the tragedy, the fear, and the ultimate triumph of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Through the eyes of six eye witnesses, you will be led on a journey through the busyness of the streets of Jerusalem, to the despair of Golgotha, and finally to the celebration of the empty grave.
This bookincludes 30 short devotional stories, each with accompanying Scripture references and questions for discussion and imagination.
We are going to be reading one story each day leading up to Easter. You’re welcome to grab the kids and listen together for your family Bible time. Or, if you would rather read to your kids on your own, you can DOWNLOAD A FREE COPY OF THE ENTIRE EBOOK HERE.
LISTEN TO COME AND SEE! CHAPTER 9 – SLEEPYHEADS
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READ COME AND SEE! CHAPTER 9 – SLEEPYHEADS
SLEEPYHEADS – Told by John, A Disciple of Jesus
“As Jesus walked away again, my heart shriveled in my chest. Come on John. You couldn’t stay awake for even an hour to pray? Accusing thoughts of guilt bombarded my soul. I was determined to stay awake this time. I would not fall asleep. I would stay awake. I would keep… my… eyes… open….”
JOHN, DISCIPLE OF JESUS
As we left the upper room that evening, Jesus invited Peter, James, and me to walk to the Garden of Gethsemane with him, a place he often liked to go to pray. It was a chilly evening, but the stars twinkled above, and the moon lit our way. A light breeze rustled the olive branches above our heads as we entered the garden.
As we walked, I could see that Jesus seemed to be upset about something. His eyebrows were knit together, and his breathing was labored. He had just finished telling us to not be afraid, yet here he was, visibly disturbed. I took his arm, signaling for him to stop.
“Jesus, are you okay? Is something bothering you?” His eyes were misty, and his face was pale. Beads of sweat lined his forehead. I had never seen him like this before.
“My friends, I am overwhelmed with grief and anguish right now about what’s going to happen. I’m so thankful to have you all here with me tonight. Will you keep watch and pray with me?”
“Yes, of course, Lord!” Peter responded eagerly. “Anything for you!”
We sat down under an olive tree, while Jesus continued a little farther into the garden. He often preferred to pray alone, so we wanted to give him some space to talk to God by himself. As Jesus walked away, I turned to the others and whispered, “I’ve never seen him so upset before. I wish there was something we could do.”
As we watched, Jesus suddenly doubled over as if in pain, clutching the trunk of an olive tree for support. He fell to his knees and looked up to heaven. I wanted to run to him, to help him, but somehow, I knew that this was something he must face on his own. We could hear Jesus’ voice, trembling and anguished, as he prayed out loud.
“Father! I know you have the power to do anything. Is there any other way? If it’s possible, please don’t let me suffer like this. But ultimately, I want your will to be done; not my own.”
Jesus continued to pray silently, his face bowed low to the ground, begging for God’s mercy. It had been a long day, and it was late at night. I tried to pray as well, as Jesus had asked us to do, but I just couldn’t keep my eyes open. My eyelids grew heavy, and my thoughts began to get fuzzy.
The next thing I remember was Jesus standing over me, shaking me awake. I sat up with a start. Apparently, I had fallen asleep. I looked up at Jesus, my eyes meeting his. His face and hair were drenched with sweat, and his eyes were bloodshot and tired.
“Oh, friends,” Jesus said. “You couldn’t even stay awake and pray with me for just one hour? I know, I know. Your spirit is willing, but your body is weak. I’m going to pray for a little while longer. Please try to stay awake this time.”
As Jesus walked away again, my heart shriveled in my chest. Come on John. You couldn’t stay awake for even an hour to pray? Accusing thoughts of guilt bombarded my soul. I was determined to stay awake this time. I would not fall asleep. I would stay awake. I would keep… my… eyes… open….
Again, I awoke to Jesus standing over me, shaking my arm. Oh no, not again. How could I be so stupid? By the time Jesus returned to us the third time, it was well past midnight. “Wake up,” Jesus urged. “The time has come. My betrayer is here.”
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