Scripture

Matthew 26:36-38 (NLT)

Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Consider

In the painful hour before his arrest, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to keep watch with him. God’s heart beating in the Son felt sorrow and grief, and in his distress he sought the comfort and companionship of his closest friends.

This simple request speaks volumes about the God we worship. Our God—creator of the universe, commander of angel armies—not only has a heart so tender as to feel sorrow and grief, but also has a love so great as to seek out human companionship for comfort.

Each time we feel distress over an act of cruelty or violence, of greed or injustice, we can be sure that God feels distress even deeper than our own. At such times we can “keep watch” with God and share the sorrow that gives God pain. We can pray along with the Spirit for the destruction of all that is evil and cruel and for the restoration of God’s beloved creation.

Along with the privilege of comforting God by sharing in God’s sorrow, we also have the responsibility not to add to God’s grief. Scripture warns us not to bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit by the way we live. “Remember,” Paul warns in his letter to the Ephesians, “God has identified you as his own.” As children of God, we want our lives to give God joy and delight. We follow the example of Jesus and seek friendship with God in loving obedience and sympathy with the desires of God’s heart.

Pray

FATHER, the greatness of your heart is beyond my comprehension. How is it that I, a creature designed and sustained by your hand, can bring you comfort and delight? Forgive me for turning away from your invitations to join you in friendship and share the burden of your compassion and sorrow. Help me to notice when I add to your grief by my selfish actions; teach me instead to live like Jesus.

Reflect

John 15:15-17; Ephesians 4:30

Ponder

What practices help us “keep watch” with God?