Chosen To Sit

"Sit here while I go over there and pray."(Matthew 26:36)

No one likes to sit and wait. We often feel that we are to be busy and about our Fathers business, but here we see that Jesus commanded Peter, James and John to come with Him into the garden and sit. I find it very interesting that only three were chosen out of the eleven to come with Jesus into the Garden where He would be betrayed by one of His own. I find it even more interesting that He chose these three as the men that He wanted with Him at His most difficult hour. Three fishermen, all with tempers. Peter was impulsive and lacked self control. James and John were known as the "Sons of Thunder" and mommas boys. These three were quite a trio! Even though they lacked so much, Jesus saw their potential. He saw their future and what they'd become. He looked past their impulsiveness and foolish remarks, past their confidence and cockiness and saw a tough and tenacious trio that would stand the test of time. Jesus gave this trio three commands; to sit, to watch, and to pray. This would be hard for these three to accomplish. As they sat in the Garden late at night and watched Jesus they would learn a great and valuable lesson. A lesson of patience and prayer...and a lesson of obedience.These three had the blessing and advantage of watching Jesus in His most difficult hour. They observed His dealings with the guards, His words with Judas and His humble meek compliance as He was a sheep led to the slaughter.

This would forever change these men. The formally impulsive and overly confident Peter would become the leader of the early church.  The hot tempered and persistent James and John would be used greatly by the Lord to help establish the church and bring many to Jesus through the love of Christ. Have you been chosen to sit for a while? It might mean that the Lord has chose you to have a time of preparation before He sends you out. If you are in the garden of preparation learn from Jesus...sit, watch and pray..."lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."(Matt. 36:41)

We see this in Mary and Martha. Two sisters that loved the Lord, but only one chose the better thing. Mary chose to sit, watch and learn from Jesus while Martha chose to serve. Mary took advantage of Jesus being with her, and Martha chose to serve Him, rather than first sitting and receiving from Him. This too, is a great lesson for us ladies... who tend to get busy serving and become distracted to sit. We can often neglect the greatest thing and chose a great thing, but not the best thing. Jesus told Martha; "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chose that good part, which will not be taken away from here."(Luke 10:41-42)

Simply sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning from Him is the best thing. There, at His feet, we observe His ways, receive His strength, and are encouraged by Him to continue, to serve, to grow and to share His love with all we come into contact with. When we chose the "good part" first we will then become the most effective servants, the best prayer warriors, the most powerful preachers, and most compassionate Christians around. Learn to stop and sit with Him before you start your day. Be like Mary and the chosen trio...embrace the blessing in the garden and you will blossom into the most beautiful fragrant flower oozing with the sweet smelling aroma of Jesus scent!