"Stay with me . . ."

Jesus knew his hours were numbered…

Matthew 26:37-38

And He (Jesus) took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

Jesus is facing horrific torture by the Romans; rejection by his own; and finally His Heavenly Father will turn His back on Him and pass the punishment for our sins onto His only Son. Jesus knows this. He is fully human in his response – and is very sorrowful and deeply distressed.

He makes a simple request of two of his followers – be with me and watch with me. He didn’t ask them to talk or give him counsel.

Good advice! When someone is going through a deep trial, offer to be there, to sit with them, to give them a hug, or a gentle smile. Do not feel the need to speak. Don’t try to ‘fix’ the problem. Sometimes we want so much to throw our pearls of wisdom their way, and that isn’t necessarily wrong, but sometimes it’s just good to be quiet and be with them.

Job’s friends sat with him without speaking for days. They were a comfort to Job. When they opened their mouth and started talking, they became much less helpful! When Gideon went secretly to spy out the enemy’s camp, a faithful aid, Purah, went with him – just to walk with him and be with him - to show his support and encouragement. Purah offered no suggestions as to battle strategy. He just offered and went with his leader into a dangerous place.

We are commanded to encourage one another. Make yourself available – seek out one to put your arms around, to sit with, to travel with, and to serve. Of course, there are many things that we can ‘do,’ such as arrange for meals, arrange for Dr. visits, cook, clean, etc. These all have their place.

But sometimes we need to sense when they want us to Stay here and watch with Me.

Gal 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Gene Whitehurst