What do you give the person who has everything?
What’s the most meaningful gift you can give?
What’s the one transformative gift that money can’t buy?
In the final three chapters of Matthew, we watch the curtain close then reopen on Jesus’ final meal, betrayal, arrest, prosecution, death, and resurrection.
Yet the most striking scene for me was the precious moment at Gethsemane.
Jesus invites his three closest wingmen, Peter, James, and John, to accompany him on a prayer outing. The disciples had watched Jesus disappear up hills and mountainsides to talk to the Father many times before.
This time Jesus insists the trio accompanies him.
Perhaps Peter hoped he’d catch a glimpse of another transfiguration, slipping his cell phone in his back pocket for any #selfie opportunities.
Instead, they witness a different transformation. Jesus expression morphs before their eyes.
The countenance of the One they adore darkens. With furrowed brows and a tightened jaw, Jesus confesses, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”
Then He makes a startling request, “Stay here and keep watch with me.”
The disciples are already confused by the day’s events, their bodies exhausted from travel. Jesus’ groans and cries soon fade as they nod off to sleep.
When Jesus returns, he nudges them: ”Watch and pray.”
Though the Scripture doesn’t record these words, the underlying suggestion is, “Hey guys, I need you now. I need you with me.”
Yet his friends, his closest friends, nod off again. They’re sleepy to what has He’s asked of them.
What strikes me most about this story is that Jesus wanted his closest disciples with Him. He could have gone to Gethsemane alone. He’d climbed countless other hills and mounts on his own. Yet this night. This one night. He wanted them with him—awake, alert, praying.
Jesus asked the disciples to give Him the gift that He gives us:
The gift of presence.
They missed it. And we do, too.
In Fight Back With Joy, I share intimately about how during my own battle with cancer some of the people I needed most disappeared and some people I never expected made a tremendous difference by extending the gift of presence. The book and Bible study are designed to equip people—including leaders and lay persons—on what to say and do whenever anyone encounters crisis.
I’ve even created greeting cards for you to send that speak life, hope, and joy into your friend’s hearts. Check them out, here.
But here, we see Jesus in crisis. And longing for his closest disciples to be alert, awake, nearby.
Right now, in my life, I have a list of people who I need to give the gift of presence. People who are in the fight of their lives—relationally, spiritually, physically, emotionally. Email. Text. Write. Call. Reach out to. And so I’m going to end this post and do that right now.
Who do you need to reach out to? Send a text, email, phone call. Right now. Today.
The post The Most Powerful Gift You’ll Ever Give appeared first on Margaret Feinberg.