And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?” Matthew 26:40
As I have reflected on Jesus and His suffering in the garden, I have thought about how the disciples fell asleep three times while Jesus was praying nearby. I have read the Gethesame account many times, but as I have entered into my season of suffering, I am picking up things that I didn’t catch before. In particular, I find the account of the disciples falling asleep to be unusual. First, the Bible says that they were only a stone’s throw away from Jesus, which indicates they were close enough to hear Him. Second, because Jesus was in immense anguish, His pain should have caused the disciples to be alert with concern. Think about it, if your closest friend was in great agony only a few feet away, so much so that He was sweating blood, wouldn’t it keep you alert? I know it would keep me alert.
Yet they slept.
Even after Peter boldly said He would stand with Jesus and Jesus told him that Peter would deny him. Even after Peter himself was awoken by Jesus along with James and John. There is no moment in human history outside of the cross, where a man suffered more.
Yet they slept.
I don’t know why I never thought much about this before. First, when Jesus prayed, He would go away by Himself to pray. I believe this is the only account where the disciples were so close that they were only a stone’s throw away. The addition of this detail is purposeful. Jesus wanted them close by. He invited them onto holy ground – His private prayers with His Abba, Father. I believe He brought them near to be with Him in His time of great need. We often, in our anguish, pain, and suffering, look for others to be near. What we are reading in this account is a very human moment of Jesus. It emphasized the anguish before Him.
Yet they slept.
Jesus was in such agony that his body was sweating blood, a condition called hematidrosis, where the blood vessels attached to the sweat glands rupture. According to WebMD, Hematidrosis “seems to be caused by extreme distress or fear, such as facing death, torture, or severe ongoing abuse.” Jesus’ distress was so great that He sweat blood all within their earshot.
Yet they slept.
The fact that the disciples slept during this time of great need had me thinking a lot. Partly because I believe I would act differently in the same situation…at least I hope I would. I always imagined I would be the one to take out my sword as Peter did in the garden to defend the Lord. Yet when I thought about Peter, James, and John sleeping, I realized how unique a situation this was. And then I thought about another time someone slept. In Genesis 15:12, we read: “As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram.” While God made the covenant with Abraham, he would not accomplish it. It was God who walked between the animals as a sign that He would fulfill His promise or be like the animals. No one would enter that place but God Himself. He would make the covenant, and He would bring it to pass.
So when I think about the disciples sleeping, to me, there is a considerable parallel with Abraham sleeping. In Jesus, a new covenant was made with man that would be fulfilled by God alone. Outside of Simon the Cyrene, no human could help Jesus or bring Him comfort. He would stand alone, walking the lonely road to His death, so that we would be forgiven. I firmly believe, as with Abraham, the Father ensured the disciples fell into a deep sleep, as we read: for their eyes were heavy. The full weight of suffering, from the absolute loneliness and despair to the physical pain and torment, would be endured by Christ alone.
While I have only walked this road recently, I have found many people who suffer privately, silently, and alone. Life continues to go on without them, and often those who once cared, in time, move on. It is a tragedy and something we as the church need to do better with.
Yet, I know this – that in our great loneliness lies a great God who cares for us. Jesus knows the loneliness of suffering. He knows what it is like to be forgotten as the world sleeps and moves on with life. Jesus knows what it’s like to be in despair and sorrow. He knows where you are right now and where I am. He is so very acquainted with our pain of body, mind, and spirit. He sees us, hears us, and is with us. He alone fulfilled the promise so that we can be free in heaven.
And unlike the disciples who slept during the Man of Sorrows great need, we know, “He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4)
So my brothers and sisters who feel alone, know that you are not alone. Jesus is not only aware of what it is like to suffer, but He is the One who stands with you as your comforter.
To anyone who is struggling, in pain, broken, suffering, feeling hopeless, or looking for forgiveness, Jesus awaits to give you new life through forgiveness on the cross. His life was ransomed for yours. Repent of your sin and unbelief, put your full faith and trust in Jesus alone, and be forgiven.
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