Read: Matthew 26:36-56
Remain here, and stay awake with me. (v. 38 NRSV)
A lot of time as a parent involves being with your kids—making lunches, cleaning clothes, stopping fights, helping with homework. All of that is good and even a joy in many ways. But there’s also something beautiful about getting toward the end of the day and sitting on the couch and looking over and seeing your kid looking at you. They don’t need anything, but you motion them over and they climb onto your lap. In that moment, them being with you is a gift to you. You didn’t need it and yet it’s a gift.
“Remain here, and stay awake with me.” On that night long ago, in his very human grief and agitation, Jesus asked the disciples to be with him, to remain with him, as he prayed. At other times, Jesus left the disciples behind to go off by himself to a quiet place to pray. But not here. When he was grieved and agitated, even to death, Jesus wanted his disciples with him. He took them with him to Gethsemane to pray, and he specifically asked Peter, James, and John, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me” (v. 38 NRSV).
In his darkest hour, Jesus wanted the disciples with him. For us, here and now, we rejoice in all the times and in all the ways that God is with us. But prayer is also a way for us to be with God.
As you pray, take time in silence to be in God’s presence.
About the Author
Stephen Shaffer is the pastor at Bethel Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario.
