36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Matthew 26:36-46
Many of us read this passage and often pass over the emotional impact of what is happening to Jesus at this very hour. What would it be like for Jesus to be waiting upon the looming moment of being persecuted and put to the worst bloody death one could possibly conceive? Certainly, the disciples had absolutely no idea what was about to happen next. Hence Jesus asks them to keep watch and pray.
But why does Jesus ask them to pray when this event is inevitable and is a part of a plan that must be carried out? The fact is, no matter one’s best intentions, only devotion to pray can carry the disciples through in faith what is about to happen next. Most of the disciples completely abandon Jesus and are nowhere to be seen when Jesus is being put to death except for John. Though Jesus knew the rest of the disciples would abandon him at the moment of his persecution, the vulnerable nature of Jesus shows here in this passage in hopes that his friends may not fall into the temptation of fleeing but that they would stick by his side. This was his most loneliest hour, and certainly the loneliest hour in the history of humanity.
When Jesus asks the disciples to Watch and Pray, this is a command that is still carried upon us today. Though the disciples had no control over the situation, Jesus asks them to do so so that they may observe and see the work of God and what he is about to do through him. But instead, they sleep and are completely caught off guard when they come to arrest Jesus. They run and are unable to support their most dearest friend and teacher. They miss the most crucial hours which would bring them salvation.
Today, watch and pray. Though we may be tempted to do chores, sleep, make ourselves busy doing the things that we haven’t been able to do on this day of rest called Good Friday, instead take time to watch and pray. Recall what Christ has done for you, and reflect on your most deepest struggles. Reflect on Christ that had contended deeply for our sins to the point of death on the cross for us, because of his unmatchable love and grace for you.
T H E O P H I L U S 
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