The PassionSample

What makes a good friend? Yesterday, we saw Jesus’ priority for prayer in these last few hours before His trial and torture, but there’s more to mine from this scene in the garden. Jesus will soon be deserted by His disciples - just as He predicted - and yet He seems eager for their company right up until the last moment. Jesus brings them into the garden while he goes to pray. He then takes Peter, James, and John a little deeper down the path. These three disciples are His inner circle, His closest comrades, and here we get a window into their friendship. He is sorrowful and troubled because He knows what’s coming, but He doesn’t keep it to Himself. There’s no stiff upper lip, no, she’ll be right, mate! No - He shows them His heart:

“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38, ESV)

This is the most pained and poignant moment of His life - His hour of need - and Jesus shares His pain with His closest friends. He doesn’t ask them for advice; he doesn’t need them to find a way out. He simply wants them to remain and watch with him. Jesus doesn’t bluff his way through; instead, he’s raw and real with his friends, unashamed to say how he truly feels here.

Today, ponder this: If you were facing a crunch moment in your life, do you have people to lean on? Friends like those don’t just fall in our laps - good relationships take time to build. We need to be willing to share ourselves, to be vulnerable, and to open up. When someone shares their vulnerability with you, remain with them, listen to them, comfort them, and pray for them.