“Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” – Matthew 26:38
“Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial” – Matthew 26:41
Being watchful and vigilant is more than having patience and waiting. Vigilance is defined as the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
Jesus didn’t just tell Peter, James and John to sit and wait while He went off to pray. He called upon them to remain awake and be vigilant.
“Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.” – Luke 12:37-38
I remember in basic training pulling middle of the night guard duty, the worst being the midnight to 5:00 AM hours. After a long day of classes, drilling, marching, inspections and getting yelled at, to then have to sit guard through the night was hard. To stand by the door, pace the barracks floors was more than just staying awake. The guard had to be vigilant. One never knew when the drill instructor would show up or another airman might have issues. One Airman dozed at the desk, head down on his BMT booklet when the pound on the door came. He was not happy to see the drill sergeant glaring through the glass.
This is the same call of the Lord to the servants in Luke 12. A call for the soul to be ever watchful, vigilant for the coming of the Lord. Be found studying the Word of God, drawing close to His Saints in the writings, in prayer…vigilantly watching with brightly lit lamps.
“You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” – Luke 12:40
How are you insuring your vigilant stand at the gate?