Matthew 26:37-38
“37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me…
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?…
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed…
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
After the constant tutoring, compassion, love, and attention the Savior had given these good disciples, here in His hour of need, they weren’t there for Him. While He is suffering the pain and sins of all mankind, His weary disciples were sleeping. Where was His solace and support? We know ultimately it came from heaven, in the form of a ministering angel. But what about on earth?
I’ve thought about that a lot. We’ve all heard that leadership is lonely, and it can be, especially the more responsibility you bear. But loneliness at some point comes to all of us, especially in the cyber pseudo connection of our day. You can have 652 likes on your social media and yet not have a friend to come and commiserate with you on a bad day or during a trial. I remember reading about the late Princess Diana, how she would attend events where thousands of people thronged to reach her. And then she would go home to an empty castle and a TV tray on her lap, watching television and eating alone.
If you’ve felt alone and without someone to share your life load, imagine being the Son of God. Who could understand what He is felt or went through? Only one, His Father. Daily the Pharisees plotted to kill him, or at the very least to anger and trap Him. Often the masses misunderstood, clung to, or used Him. No wonder He sought the peaceful and dependable company of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus in Bethany, however infrequent that may have been.
Next time you feel alone, when you wonder if you’ll find someone who really cares about how you feel, remember that He understands. Deeply. And that you can receive sure and complete companionship just as He did. By turning to your Heavenly Father, too.
How can you more fully turn to God and feel of His daily companionship?
Merry Christmas,
Connie
