"Could you not watch with me just one hour?" – Matthew 26:40

Here is a deeply profound truth about the Lord Jesus that he makes us especially aware of as we conclude our forty days of lent and observe Holy Week, the days leading up to Resurrection Day. 

Jesus does not need our prayers but he deeply desires our presence.

As he contemplated the cross before him Jesus prayed in the garden. He asked his disciples to be with him as he face this trial. Jesus desired them to be with him as he agonized over the prospect of laying down his life for the sins of the world. Jesus was so deeply grieved by what lay before him that he sweat drops of blood. The climax of the Gethsemane story is when Jesus surrendered his will to the Father-- "If possible, Father, let this cup pass from me, never the less, not my will, but your will be done." He asked his disciples to be with him as he face this trial. 

Picture the scene: Jesus facing His greatest trial, and His simple request to His friends—stay awake, be with me. When He returned to find them sleeping, His question wasn't angry but sorrowful: Could you not watch with me... just one hour? 

This request to his disciples offer us a powerful invitation as we conclude this Lenten season. As our church community journeys toward Easter, we're called to consider how we respond to Christ's request for our presence. It is a simple but challenging invitation because so often we want to do something even though the Lord just asks us to be.

How would it impact your observation of Holy Week and Celebration of Easter to realize that Jesus desires our companionship. What would happen if each of us committed to spending an extended time with Jesus this week? Not out of obligation, but as a loving response to His invitation.

This "watching hour" might look different for each person:

• Silent prayer in our auditorium prior to Sunday's service
• Slowly reading through the Passion narrative
• Attending our Good Friday observation
• Simply sitting in Christ's presence at home

No special skills are required—just your presence. Jesus doesn't ask for eloquent prayers or perfect attention. He simply invites us to be with Him in His suffering. When we do this we become more aware that Jesus is with us in our own trials and suffering.

As we watch with Jesus individually, we can grow together to be with one another through challenging times. Our compassion will deepen, our awareness will sharpen, and our community will be transformed.

This week, hear Jesus' invitation personally. Could you watch with Him one hour? He who gave everything for us asks only for our presence in return.