When our Lord Jesus knew that the hour of His suffering was upon Him, He asked of the three chosen disciples only one thing—such a little thing: sit here and watch. They failed. Had they any inkling of the desperate flood-tide of anguish that was about to overwhelm their Master? Did they turn from it helplessly and take refuge in sleep, or were they so oblivious that they stretched out comfortably under the olive trees and took “forty winks” to kill time?
Jesus had asked for supportive companionship—three men to count on. All they had to do was come into the garden, sit there while He prayed alone, and stay awake. It was a share in His sufferings. A very little share.
So He asks of us. Whatever the measure of suffering life has meted out, it is small indeed when measured against His—yet it is His call to fellowship. “Will you watch with me? Can you bear your weariness (your human trouble, whatever its kind) with Me?”
“Lord, I did not understand. I never dreamed You were asking me for something. I was preoccupied. I was oblivious. Here, Lord—my ‘suffering’ (this single hour of high privilege)—I offer it up. By Your grace, Your holy passion, let me watch with You.”
**Expert originally published in Guided by God’s Promises p. 204