The Sentinel and the Arsenal
Matthew 26:40-45
And he comes to the disciples, and finds them asleep, and said to Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour?…


I. THE CHRISTIAN IS A SENTINEL; HIS CAPTAIN IS CHRIST; AND THE WORD OF COMMAND IS "WATCH"

1. TO be watchful implies wakefulness.

2. Watchfulness implies discrimination. A sentinel must distinguish between an enemy and a friend.

3. A sentinel will scrutinize and test the character.

II. IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO ENGAGE A SENTINEL TO WATCH AGAONST THE INVASION OF THE FOE: nor is it enough that he be faithful, and give the signal of alarm when needed. The arsenal is necessary; without this the sentinel would be weak and useless. "But in Me is thy help found."

III. THE INSEPARABLE RELATION OF WATCHFULNESS AND PRAYER. Thus are we saved from entering into temptation, since where a man is fully in it, there is an end of watching, and an indisposition to pray.

(G. H. Jackson.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

WEB: He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What, couldn't you watch with me for one hour?




The Disciples in Gethsemane
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