Sleeping in Holy Week

Not being able to sleep all night recently has given thoughts about how Jesus might have slept those nights of Holy Week. While He probably slept like the "proverbial baby," He certainly had plenty of things on His mind which could have kept Him awake.  He did not walk into that last week as One who was unaware of what was waiting on him come Friday.  As one who was human among us, He knew there was going to be terrible humiliation, agonizing pain, and finally death on a cross.  If anyone ever had reason not to sleep, it was surely Him.    

I cannot imagine Jesus suffering from such worry that He could not sleep.  He was, after all, the One who told His disciples and all of us, "...do not worry about your life...do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring worries of its own..."  (Matthew 6:25, 34)  I have always figured Jesus lived by the Words He preached and that He slept better than I sleep when I stay awake over far lesser things.   

There are many things which separate us from Jesus.  He was not only fully human, but also fully divine.  Here is a mystery all its own!  The thing which is no mystery is the way He stayed intimately connected to the Father.  The relationship He lived with the Father was not one based on convenience, but one based on His love, His desire to be obedient at any cost, and a commitment to take every breath inside the Father's will.  He, therefore, knew a peace unknown to most of us.  It is no wonder He could sleep and we count sheep.