Stay Awake

Have you ever asked a friend for help and were turned down?

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’ - Matthew 26:36-46

Imagine how Jesus felt when his closest friends could not stay awake while he prayed.

They had been together for a while and though they were through a lot together, Jesus had not made strict demands on them.  He taught them, showed them miracles and sent them out to heal the sick.

They had become firm believers that he was the Messiah, and yet they couldn't stay awake for just an hour?

We have a tradition in the church where we stay awake an hour at a time through the night after Maundy Thursday service until the first Good Friday service in the morning.  It is symbolic of our commitment, but in a way it seems like we are saying look, we are better than the apostles who couldn't stay awake.

There is some satisfaction in being able to do what they could not.  But there is more to the tradition than that.

It was during one such hour in the early morning when my wife and I both received a message from Jesus.  Hers was different than mine, but they occurred at the same time and we both received a gift.  Something that was pressing heavy on our minds was lifted.

So, maybe Jesus was hoping to have his spirit lift up these men who would enter into a time of trial upon his death, and that was why he wanted them to stay awake.

It is possible, but we will never know.  Maybe the message for us is simple.  Stay awake.  Be aware.  Focus on God.

More to come...