Stay Awake – Greg Laurie Devotion – April 1, 2026

Biblical Context

The book of Matthew is one of the four Gospels, telling the story of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Traditionally, we believe Matthew, also known as Levi, wrote this account. He was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, a tax collector before Jesus called him to follow. His firsthand experience gives us a powerful look at Jesus’ time on earth. Matthew writes this Gospel, often thought to be for a Jewish audience, to show how Jesus is the Messiah promised in the Old Testament, fulfilling many prophecies.

This particular section of Matthew, chapter 26, brings us to the Garden of Gethsemane, a pivotal moment just before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. Here, we see Jesus facing the deepest trial of His life. The setting and the details Matthew shares show us the intense reality of Jesus’ human experience as He prepares to carry out God’s plan.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word “watch” from Matthew 26:38: “Stay here and keep watch with me.” The Greek word here is γρηγορέω (grēgoreō). It means to be awake, to be watchful, to stay alert. It’s not just about keeping your eyes open; it’s about being vigilant and ready. It suggests a mental and spiritual readiness, not just a physical one. In this moment, Jesus wasn’t just asking His disciples to stay physically awake; He was asking them to be spiritually present and alert alongside Him in His time of deepest need.

The Human Needs of Jesus

Think about Jesus. He was fully God, yes, but He was also fully human. That means He had the same needs you and I have. He felt hunger, thirst, and tiredness. He felt joy and sorrow. He enjoyed the simple things, like spending time with friends. He surrounded Himself with disciples not just to teach them and get them ready for ministry, but also because He genuinely enjoyed being with them. He found comfort and pleasure in their company.

This isn’t some deep theological point that’s hard to grasp. It’s simply saying Jesus liked having friends. He liked being around people He trusted. It shows how real His humanity was. He wasn’t some distant, untouchable figure. He knew what it felt like to want companionship, to want someone to be there for you.

Gethsemane: A Cry for Companionship

When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing what was coming, He didn’t go alone. He brought His closest friends with Him: Peter, James, and John. These were the guys He had spent so much time with, who had seen Him do amazing things. And there, in His hour of extreme anguish, He made a simple request of them.

He said, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38 nlt). You can hear the raw emotion in those words. His soul was so heavy, so weighed down by what was about to happen. He was asking for something basic, something we all crave in our hardest times: for someone to just be there, to stand with us, to pay attention.

But this was more than just a request for company. It was an opportunity. Jesus was giving His friends a chance to play a very real part in God’s plan. They could have stood with Him, prayed with Him, and shared in that intense moment. They could have been there for Him, just as He had always been there for them. It was a chance to show their love and loyalty in a way that would have meant so much.

The Price of Spiritual Slumber

Sadly, His companions didn’t recognize the chance they had. Instead of being diligent, instead of staying awake and present, they gave in to their physical tiredness. They fell asleep. It wasn’t just a small oversight; it was a repeated pattern, a real problem.

This wasn’t the first time they’d done this. Matthew 17:1–13 tells us about the Transfiguration, another amazing moment where Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain. There, they got to see Jesus in His true glory, talking with Moses and Elijah. Imagine that sight!

But what happened? “As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, ‘Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’” (Luke 9:33 nlt). Why did he say such a strange thing?

Luke 9:32 nlt explains it: “Peter and the others had fallen asleep.” Can you believe it? They fell asleep during one of the most amazing events in history! Think about what Peter might have seen, what he might have understood, if he had been fully awake and watching at the Transfiguration. And then, consider what he missed in the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus was facing His darkest hour.

It really makes you wonder how much we miss out on because of our own spiritual slumber. How often are we spiritually drowsy when God wants to speak to us through His Word? Maybe you open your Bible, but your mind wanders, or you’re just not really focused. You’re reading the words, but you’re not truly hearing His voice.

How often are we spiritually drowsy instead of opening our hearts to a message at church? You’re sitting there, but you’re thinking about your to-do list, or what you’ll have for lunch. You’re present in body, but your spirit is drifting, missing out on what God wants to tell you.

And how often are we spiritually drowsy when the Lord wants us to speak up for Him? Maybe you see an opportunity to share your faith or stand up for what’s right, but you hesitate, you get quiet, or you just don’t see it for what it is. You’re not alert to the chances God gives you to be His voice in the world.

Staying Awake: Directing Your Gaze

Staying awake, spiritually speaking, means directing our gaze toward the things of God—the things that truly matter. It means actively choosing to focus on what is eternal, what is true, and what God wants for your life. It means fighting against the distractions and the tiredness that try to pull your spirit down.

Look at the words of the psalmist in Psalm 119:37: “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word” (nlt). This is a prayer for focus, a prayer to keep our spiritual eyes on what’s important. It’s asking God to help us see clearly, to stop looking at things that don’t help us grow, and to find real life in His truth.

Like the disciples, we, too, can easily miss out on what God wants to do in and through us. We can be so caught up in our own lives, our own worries, our own comfort, that we sleep through the moments He has for us. We can miss the opportunities, the quiet whispers, the calls to action that God places in our path.

So, what does spiritual slumber look like in your life? Maybe it’s scrolling endlessly instead of reading your Bible. Maybe it’s letting fear keep you from speaking up. Maybe it’s choosing entertainment over time with God. Whatever it is, you’re not alone. But we don’t have to stay there.

We need to be awake, alert, and paying attention. We need to ask God to open our eyes and keep our spirits ready. Good things happen to those who keep their spiritual eyes open, because they’re ready for God’s presence, His guidance, and His work in their lives. They don’t miss the invitations. They don’t sleep through the moments that matter most.