What Does Jesus Ask Of Us?
by Dan Jones, M.D.
Matthew 26:40-46
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
The three disciples with Jesus in the garden, Peter, James, and John were going through a difficult ordeal. They were weary and frustrated. The “kingship” of Jesus was not going in the direction they had envisioned. They were experiencing personal doubt.
Jesus had asked them to “watch and pray”. Jesus wanted them to assist him in his prayer to the Father during this trying time in his life. He wanted their companionship and their empathy. But the disciples were weary and focused on their own needs, their own circumstances. They failed in their faithfulness at a crucial time.
When difficult circumstances come our way, it is easy to focus on the circumstances and our needs and desires, rather than on God. In those dark and difficult days as a third year medical student, I was focused on my own self-doubt. I was trying to come to grips with the terrible reality that I may have made a mistake in understanding God’s plan for my life. Or worse, I was concerned with the possibility that I might not be strong enough, smart enough, or tough enough to compete in medical school.
As long as I was focused on my difficult circumstances, I was of no use to God – or myself. I was wallowing in self-doubt and self-pity. When my friend counseled me to not focus on my circumstances, but God’s love and God’s will for my life, my attitude changed. I put it all in God’s hands. Looking back on that time now, I recognize my experience was not uncommon for junior medical students. I also recognize God has used those experiences to toughen me and prepare me for rougher circumstances down the road.
God is still bringing difficult circumstances my way and he is doing the same in your life. He tests and strengthens the faith of those he loves.
Lord, help me to focus on you and your love for me in difficult circumstances.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
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