“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 26:36–46, ESV)
This passage is overflowing with depth—enough for at least ten devotions—but let me begin with a story that came to mind from nearly 30 years ago.
I was about 15 or 16 when I attended a Scripture Union camp for older high school students. During one of the sessions, the leader asked us: “If God promised to grant you just one prayer, what would you ask for?”
You can imagine the typical teenage answers: success, relationships, maybe even money. But then one sweet, quiet girl spoke words that silenced the room:
“I want to see everyone through the eyes of Jesus.”
At the time, I thought that was a beautiful answer. Thirty years later, after life’s ups and downs, I realize just how profound it truly was.
Now, back to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew betrayal and death were hours away. Few of us can grasp the mental, emotional, and spiritual weight he carried that night. And yet—what does he do in the face of crushing sorrow? He retreats to pray. He seeks his Father. He steadies his soul. Even in his anguish, he invites his closest friends to be near him. Their one task? Stay awake and keep watch. And three times he returns to find them asleep.
Before we judge the disciples, let’s be honest: how many times have we spiritually fallen asleep when Jesus asked us to stay awake? They were exhausted, confused, and overwhelmed. Yet notice how Jesus responds—not with condemnation, but with compassion.
Through the eyes of Jesus, he sees their weakness… and still loves them. Through the eyes of Jesus, he faces betrayal… and still forgives. Through the eyes of Jesus, he knows the cross is before him… and he still chooses prayer.
That young girl at camp had it right: to see people through the eyes of Jesus changes everything. It challenges us to forgive deeper than we think possible. To love when it costs us something. To prioritize prayer over panic.
And this isn’t abstract—it’s practical. If we truly want to grow as Christians, then our call is to imitate the One whose name we bear. That means choosing compassion when it’s easier to criticize, choosing prayer when it’s easier to worry, and choosing love when it’s easier to walk away.
Jesus himself gave us the measuring stick:
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
— John 13:35 (ESV)
This week, slow down. Take a moment to look at someone—the difficult coworker, the family member who tests your patience, the friend who let you down—and pray: “Lord, help me see them through Your eyes.”
When we start seeing through the eyes of Jesus, the world starts seeing Jesus through us.
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