The Garden of Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”
39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He *came to the disciples and *said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”
Jesus isn’t a respecter of persons, yet there are those who seem to be closer. He loved all of His Disciples, but there were three who were always nearer. I’m convinced it was, and is, by their choice and hours. In this narrative all the Disciples go with Him to Gethsemane, but only the three are invited to go a little further to be with Him as He prayed. As He gets alone with them, He reveals His heart by telling them that He was grieved with a sorrow that was so intense He thought He would die from the pain and the loneliness that kind of pain brings. (Fully Human, He understands our broken hearts) He then asks them to “keep watch.” The word “watch” means to be on the alert, to wholeheartedly be present. Of course you know the story; they couldn’t stay awake, even for one hour. Think about what Jesus was wanting from them. He was deeply grieved, and The Son of Man simply wanted their companionship and affection. He didn’t want to be alone. As those who had been closest to Him, He longed for their presence. He was also asking them to participate wholeheartedly in the purposes of God that were on His heart. This is really what prayer is all about. He simply longs for our wholehearted presence, our companionship, and He invites us to participate in the purposes of God that are on His heart. He wants to share His time and heart with us, and He wants us to wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity, so that we can fully engage in His life and heart. May we all wholeheartedly go with Him to that place where hearts are given to each other in companionship and affection. He is always lonely for you, even if again and again, in the past, you’ve fallen asleep. He will never stop longing, calling.