THE SURE WORD. [GospelSeries9]. Only the truth will set you free. KEEP AWAKE WITH ME! [Matthew.26:38]. The events that led to the eventual and consequent crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ actually began from Matthew. 21, when He rode on a Colt (small Ass), into Jerusalem with His disciples. He had foreknowledge that the journey would culminate in His ultimate death on the Cross at Calvary, yet He went ahead to fulfill GOD’S WILL! (Matt.16:21;Mark.8:31; Luke.9:22). The Lord had to complete the mandate of His First Advent through the following last moment assignments: (1). Cleansing of the Temple; (2). Valedictory parables which set the tone for the impending judgment of the gentile world; (3). Teachings and exhortations; (4). Prophecies, including that of His betrayal by Judas, one of His disciples, who played the role of the house-hold enemy. [Matthew.24:1-26:50]. When Jesus Christ needed God most during the greatest crisis of His ministry, He sought a garden where He could be alone while His disciples were kept away from Him but with an instruction to KEEP AWAKE, WATCH AND PRAY! [Matt. 26:36-46]. The Lord prayed in agony for strength to obey God’s will because Satan tried very hard to destroy Him before He got to the Cross. God heard His prayer and saved Him from death.[Hebrew.5:7-9; Luke.22:43-44]. Whenever you are confronted with such a challenge, you need to retire and meet God in private and in solitude – away from the boisterous commotion of the world and pour your heart’s content to Him who is able to solve all of human problems – be it spiritual, physical needs of food clothing and shelter, health, finances, academis ,job placements,etc and you will not be disappointed! To the three inner circle members, Peter, James and John, who had earlier witnessed His TRANSFIGURATION, and the others (Matt.17:1-12); the Lord said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death…tarry ye here and watch with me;” but they slept and He was left to carry His Cross alone! “….Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”[Ephesians.5:14]. Sleep is a good avenue for rest after much physical and mental activity, but it must be controlled to avoid the EUTYCHUS kind of accident which occurred in Greece while Paul the Apostle preached late into the night! [Acts.20:7-12]. Young Samuel was also once asleep but God woke him up, gave him an assignment and he became the Last of Judges and First of the great prophets that was ever known in Israel! [1Samuel. 3:1-21] Although Jesus Christ was disappointed by His disciples who slept throughout the night vigil, He was not disappointed by God who encouraged Him to go ahead and win the battle for SALVATION on the CROSS AT CALVARY![ Matt.27:1-28:20]. Jesus Christ suffered GETHSEMANE and the Cross for the world; should His labor of love for us be in vain? God forbid! We must keep awake and watch at all times for the His second coming, (1Thessalonians.3:13-18); walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil! PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, you came all the way from heaven to save me from being crucified, let me repay your kindness by keeping watch in good deeds that would positively touch my generation to increase the redeemed who will spend eternity with you; my Lord, Master and soon-coming KING OF GLORY! Amen. *This gospel tract is produced by Zion Faith Bible-Believing Church, Abuja, Nigeria.Prayer, guidance and counselling lines: +234813-066-9886; +2348106490254;+2348035892739;or log on to facebook.com/zionfaithbible.believingchurch or http://www.zfbbc1.blogspot.com, https://www.google.com/+zionfaithbiblebelievingchurch. g-mail - zfbbc1@gmail.com .