“Could you not watch with me one hour?” Jesus asked. That is a question laced with disappointment and a question about commitment. The setting of the question is in the Garden of Gethsemanne. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with Him on a stroll through the garden. He asked them to sit for a minute and to keep watch. He told them that His soul was troubled and he needed a moment by Himself to pray. He asked them to remain alert, to stay awake, and to pray. They fell asleep. Jesus returned and with great disappointment he asked, “Could you not just watch and pray with me for one hour?” After all, these were His closest friends. Was it too much to ask at a moment of crisis that they stay awake and watch for Him? Perhaps the greatest compliment anyone can receive is, “Thanks for being there for me.” Perhaps the greatest condemnation someone can make against you is, “You were never there.” Perhaps the greatest promise anyone can make to another person is, “I’ll be there.” God made the promise to be there for us. The question is, will we be there for Him? The greatest promise we can make to God is, “I’ll be there. You can count on me.” Can God, family, friends and church count on you? Will you be there when they need you?
–Dr. Tim Thompson