For the season of sorrow that others cannot carry.
They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed. He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch.” He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire.” He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour?
“Stay here, and watch.” What happens when the people beside you cannot remain awake? Jesus was “exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.” He asked for watchfulness and found sleep. Your unsupported sorrow is not a small inconvenience. It is grief carried beside an empty watch.
Pain can make another person’s attentiveness your refuge. You keep waiting for the one who failed to stay to prove that your sorrow matters. Their sleep then becomes a verdict, and you hide the wound or accuse yourself. But their weakness cannot measure your worth.
Jesus entered this exact loneliness. The incarnate Son asked the Father to remove the cup, named his desire, and submitted it to the Father’s will. The sleeping disciples did not become his support; he went forward to the cross. Your sorrow may be unsupported, but it is not unknown to Jesus. Will you bring it to the Father through Christ instead of making another person’s wakefulness your refuge?
Your sorrow may be unsupported, but it is not unknown to Jesus.
Lord Jesus, keep me from treating human sleep as the measure of your presence, and teach me to bring my sorrow to the Father through your cross.
Bring one honest question to today’s Scripture.
Sign in to ask a question.
Questions are part of membership. Learn about membership.
Thank you. Your response has been received.