Matthew 26:36-40 - Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.

Just an hour.

It’s all he asked.

After all he’d done for them.

They let his final hours on earth slip through the sands of sleep.

We look at them and shake our heads in either sadness, understanding, or even anger.

But Jesus holds out a similar invitation to us in his return:

Matthew 25:1,5,13 - At that time [of “the coming of the Son of Man”] the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom… The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep… keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour… be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

After all he’s done for us… may we be like Simeon - the man who kept watch, waiting for Jesus to arrive as a baby:

Luke 2:25-32 - Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Stay at his side
And wait the time
The final hour
Keep watch with [for] Christ our Lord.
(Paul Zach - Keep Watch)