36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, Stay here while I go and pray over there.37 When he took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, he began to feel sad and anxious.38 Then he said to them, I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert with me.39 Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, My Father, if it’s possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want.40 He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, Couldn’t you stay alert one hour with me?41 Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.42 A second time he went away and prayed, My Father, if it’s not possible that this cup be taken away unless I drink it, then let it be what you want.43 Again he came and found them sleeping. Their eyes were heavy with sleep.44 But he left them and again went and prayed the same words for the third time.45 Then he came to his disciples and said to them, Will you sleep and rest all night? Look, the time has come for the Human One to be betrayed into the hands of sinners.46 Get up. Let’s go. Look, here comes my betrayer.
Have you ever been in a situation where you really needed to talk to a good friend and they said they'd call you back, but never did? Have you ever waited for a reply to a post or text that never came? It's the worst feeling. Something in each of us longs to be comforted by others when we're going through difficult times.
In the most difficult period in Jesus' life, he called his closest friends to be around him - to stay up with him through the night as he prayed. But they fell asleep. He must have been so hurt, so disappointed.
It's easy to say, "How could they?" when we're not "they." But each of us has probably dropped the ball at some point when a friend really needed us. We may have offered some sort of excuse. But the truth is, when people aren't there when we need them, it hurts whether they have a good excuse or not. What are some ways that you can make sure you're there for others when they need you? God has given us church as a place of safety and refuge. But if we're not there, we may be missing out on "being there" for someone who's hurting. Do you have a small group or place of worship that you can commit to attending on a regular basis? Just think of all of the opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others, just by being there.
In the most difficult period in Jesus' life, he called his closest friends to be around him - to stay up with him through the night as he prayed. But they fell asleep. He must have been so hurt, so disappointed.
It's easy to say, "How could they?" when we're not "they." But each of us has probably dropped the ball at some point when a friend really needed us. We may have offered some sort of excuse. But the truth is, when people aren't there when we need them, it hurts whether they have a good excuse or not. What are some ways that you can make sure you're there for others when they need you? God has given us church as a place of safety and refuge. But if we're not there, we may be missing out on "being there" for someone who's hurting. Do you have a small group or place of worship that you can commit to attending on a regular basis? Just think of all of the opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others, just by being there.
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