When did it happen? Over time? Lack of understanding? The misgivings of powerful men?
Jesus is not teaching or demonstrating, or hanging out with the disciples, He’s imploring them to pray with Him. The toughest hour of His life is about to come upon Him and He, the God-Man, needs His friends. He needs support in prayer. This is the only time we see Jesus call us into partnership with Him. “Do this with Me.” Not for me. Not to Me. Not because of Me. But with Me.
Then, He leaves them. He goes to another spot in the Garden to pray. Why? Seems odd, doesn’t it? “Watch with Me, but I’m going to be over here.”
This is such a picture of what was to come. Of what IS our life with Him now. We are here. He is “there.” He sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. We are still called to partnership in intercession with Him!
When He returns, the disciples are sleeping. We know it well.
“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? Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Romans 13:11, Ephesians 5:14 have verses that call to the Believer, “Wake up!” We are to be on the alert, watching and waiting.
But we are weak. Prayer is hard. It’s a spiritual battle. But it is THE ONE THING where Jesus invites us to partner with Him. “Keep watch with me.”
He is coming. Will we be found watching or sleeping?