The Sandman

 "Once more He went away and prayed the same thing. When He came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him." Mark 14: 39, 40

    Jesus had been telling his closest disciples that He would be betrayed and handed over to the authorities for execution. When He bade them to keep watch and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, why did they keep falling asleep? It was as if the Sandman liberally dusted their eyes that fateful night.

    Jesus has been telling us for some time that the end is drawing near. Nation will rise against nation, famines and earthquakes will abound, false prophets will appear to deceive many, the increase of wickedness will cause the hearts of many to grow cold, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate one another. "Therefore, keep watch...So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Matthew 24:42, 44)

    Seems like that Sandman is still alive and around, sprinkling his potion with great intent. Satan likes nothing better than to distract, deceive and disarm the disciples of Christ. How many of us stalwartly swear allegiance to Jesus, yet allow the cultural erosion to steal our coastline? Perhaps the mark of the beast, as referenced in Revelation chapter 13, is a gradual acceptance. How many of us are not wont to define the lies of our day for fear of retribution and unacceptance? Can a man really become a woman? Can two men or two women leave their homes and cleave to one another in "holy" matrimony? Is a child in the womb not a human if the mother does not want it? Is gender fluid or did God make them male and female?

    If we don't arise from our slumber, we will find ourselves face to face with the Son of Man, who will demand an accounting of our faith, and we won't know what to say to Him. With boldness, we must shine light into the darkness, exposing the lies by speaking God's truth in love.

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:13