Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” Matthew 26:36

In anguish, anticipating his crucifixion, our Lord gave five instructions (Mat 26:36-46):

1. Sit here, while I go.
2. Remain here, and watch with me.
3. Watch and pray that you may not enter temptation
4. Don’t sleep and rest
5. Rise and let us go

The first instruction was given to the 11 disciples, while the remainder appear to have been given to Peter, James, and John only. Despite the selective audience and the peculiar circumstances, we can relate to each of these instructions.

The first instruction reminds us that Christ has promised to return and take us to live with Him forever (Joh 14:3). In the meantime, He sits at God’s right hand, interceding for us (Rom 8:34) in ways we cannot comprehend. Ruth’s experience wonderfully illustrates this; recall how Naomi told her to sit and wait until Boaz (a type of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ) had settled the matter, knowing he would not rest until he made her his bride (Ruth 3:18).

Other records in the Old Testament illustrate additional aspects of this first instruction.  Saul, for example, was given the chief position at his anointing (1 Sam 9:22) reminding us of our amazing position: seated in Christ in heavenly places (Eph 2:6).  Another example is the story of Mephibosheth, the crippled forgotten son of Jonathan (and grandson of Saul), whom King David, showing grace, took from obscurity and gave him status and wealth beyond his ability to attain (2 Sam 9). It is interesting to reflect that Mephibosheth’s grandfather tried to kill David multiple times (e.g., 1 Sam 19:1,11) but this did not stop David from showing him kindness. We can rest assured that despite ourselves (declared sinners and ungodly as well as once being enemies of God Rom 5:6,8,10), God has brought us to His banqueting house and His banner over us is love (SoS 2:4).