Watch!

He was horrified, and they fell asleep!!

Jesus, about to be arrested and crucified, told his three closest friends to, "Stay here and watch with me."(1) "Watch" refers to "being alert to spiritual dangers."(2) Jesus went a little further in the garden to pray, but not like we pray, and apparently prayer that was beyond the comprehension of his friends.

"The full impact of His death and its spiritual consequences struck Jesus and He staggered under its weight. The prospect of alienation from His Father horrified Him." (3)

Still, as He awakened His friends, He admonished them again, "Keep alert and pray", (4) meaning, "acknowledge dependence on God so that you will not fall into temptation." (5)

In the New Testament, Paul instructs believers, and especially leaders, to "watch" regarding their integrity, care and direction. (6) Jesus, however, instructed His disciples regarding only one other scenario in which to "Watch": regarding His return. He said according to Matt. 24.42 and Mark 13.35, "Therefore keep watch because you do not know on what day the Lord will come." Luke gives an account of a discussion that Jesus has with his disciples in the temple where He tells them to, "Watch out! Don't let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, as in a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep a constant watch. And pray...." (7)

As I attempt to apply this to my own life, I'm challenged to stay aware and alert to the prospect that He will return for me and it could be at any moment. Am I ready? Am I alert to spiritual dangers, such as dependence on myself, falling asleep (becoming lax) at critical times, the potential to fall into temptation, etc.? And am I committed to prayer...acknowledging my dependence on God so that I will not fall into temptation?

For more on this, Paul's instructions to the believers at various churches provide a little more substance and practical application to the idea of keeping watch (see footnote 6).




1 Matthew. 26.38, 40; Mark 14.34, 37
2 The Bible Knowledge Commentary
3 The Bible Knowledge Commentary
4 Matt. 26.41, Mark 14.38
5 The Bible Knowledge Commentary
6 Acts 20.31, 1 Cor. 16.13, Col. 4.2, 1 Thess. 5.6, 1 Tim. 4.16, 2 Tim. 4.5, Heb. 13.17, 1 Pet. 4.7
7 Luke 21.34-36a