How could it get any worse for Jesus during his journey to the cross? We could imagine a situation in which someone is headed to an unjustified death. That alone would be a tragic story.
But then add into it the element that the individual’s friends are useless throughout the whole ordeal. This is the case with the disciples. He just wants to have prayer partners, but fatigue was just too strong for them.
Jesus was alone in it, even among his friends. The disciples failed him not only in courage but even in prayer.
Did it have to be this way? Maybe part of the gospel is not only that Jesus bore the weight of sin and death, but also the weight of human weakness. He didn’t just carry the violence of Rome and the corruption of religious leaders. He carried the loneliness of friends who couldn’t stay awake. He bore the sting of being left to face suffering by himself.
And this, too, is grace. He knows in his body, heart, and spirit what it is to be abandoned.
And yet, even in that abandonment, Jesus remains faithful. While the disciples sleep, he stays awake in anguished prayer. While they fail in weakness, he yields himself to the Father’s will. Our salvation rests not on our capacity to keep watch, but on his.
So when our own friends fail us, or when we ourselves stumble and falter in discipleship, this story reminds us: Christ is the one who stays awake, who prays through the night, who goes forward in faithfulness even when we do not.
Christian theology holds that Christ prays even now for the Church. Think of it. Even when you’re too tired to pray yourself, Jesus persists for you.
Matthew 26:36-56
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, “Stay here while I go and pray over there.” When he took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, he began to feel sad and anxious. Then he said to them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert with me.” Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it’s possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want.”
He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you stay alert one hour with me? Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.” A second time he went away and prayed, “My Father, if it’s not possible that this cup be taken away unless I drink it, then let it be what you want.”
Again he came and found them sleeping. Their eyes were heavy with sleep. But he left them and again went and prayed the same words for the third time. Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Will you sleep and rest all night? Look, the time has come for the Human One to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up. Let’s go. Look, here comes my betrayer.”
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came. With him was a large crowd carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. His betrayer had given them a sign: “Arrest the man I kiss.” Just then he came to Jesus and said, “Hello, Rabbi.” Then he kissed him.
But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
One of those with Jesus reached for his sword. Striking the high priest’s slave, he cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put the sword back into its place. All those who use the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I’m not able to ask my Father and he will send to me more than twelve battle groups of angels right away? But if I did that, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this must happen?” Then Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, like a thief? Day after day, I sat in the temple teaching, but you didn’t arrest me. But all this has happened so that what the prophets said in the scriptures might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Jesus and ran away.
Psalm 121:1-5
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
God won’t let your foot slip. Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job.
No! Israel’s protector never sleeps or rests!
The Lord is your protector; the Lord is your shade right beside you.
Prayer1
God,
Watch, Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep in the night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, Lord Christ; rest your weary ones; bless your dying ones; soothe your suffering ones; shield your joyous ones; and all for your love’s sake.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen
Adapted from St. Augustine.