Lost Opportunities

When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, he took his disciples with him, wanting them to "keep watch and pray."  They were given the opportunity to bring comfort to the Savior of the world as he prepared himself to endure the weight of the sins of mankind. But they missed out on that opportunity as they slept on their watch instead of praying. 

He plainly told them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, stay here and keep watch" (Mk 14:34), but three times (the same number if times Peter would deny him), he came to them and three times they were sleeping instead of keeping a watch of prayer. On the third time, Jesus said, "Enough!  The hour is come" (Mk 14:41).  In other words, time opportunity to provide comfort to their Lord in this monumental point in history had passed.  

When Jesus faced his trial and confrontation with the Devil in the dessert, "the angels came and attended to him" (Mt 4:11). But in the garden, that ministry to the Son of God was presented to the disciples and they passed on the opportunity. They would not be forsaken by God, they would have other opportunities to serve Him and serve The Lord they did - to the point of death for most. However, that opportunity was gone,  that moment for ministry would forever be lost. 

Jesus may be promoting you to attend to a friend or provide help to a stranger. He may be leaning on your heart to provide service to Him by ministering to another. As the Bible says, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me'" (Mt 25:40).  It won't be your only opportunity to serve but it may be your only opportunity to serve in that moment, meeting that need. It will be a lost  opportunity that may never come again. Jus' Sayn.