In His last hour of anguish in the garden
O'er-shadowed by the cross of Calvary,
To Peter, James, and John, these words were spoken,
Just tarry here a while, and "Watch with Me."
Just "Watch with Me," He asked them in the garden,
But His disciples little understood
The meaning of His untold pain and anguish,
When Jesus sweat, we read, great drops of blood.
His heart was crushed by all that was before Him,
His soul was bowed in agony and pain;
Yet those He loved—asleep! amidst His suffering,
His "Watch with Me" was spoken but in vain.
Asleep! unmindful of the pending danger,
They little realized what was ahead,
They slumbered—and then shunned Him as a stranger,
And all forsook Him—from His side they fled.
Just "Watch with Me," How touching and how human—
His heart desired communion with His own,
And though they failed to comfort thus their Master,
What mercy, and what grace to them was shown!
For from His child, He does not ask perfection,
He knows the frame, and knows the flesh is weak,
And in His grace, He pardons all their failure,
In love, He still their fellowship doth seek.
For e'en midst weakness, failure, dullness, slumber,
Their willing spirit, and their love He sees,
Though quenched, and stifled, by man's jeers and hatred—
It still was their desire their Lord to please.
Another last request our Lord has spoken,
"Remember Me until I come again,"
His love desires communion with His children,
Does this request speak to your heart in vain?
In these last days of ruin and declension,
When coldness and indifference abound,
It must be pleasing to our blessed Savior
If just a few to watch with Him are found.
If "two or three," amidst this scene of ruin,
In worship gather round our blessed Lord,
To sing His praises, and exalt the Savior,
Remembering Him, according to His Word;
And if, through weakness of the flesh, we falter,
And fail in many ways to honor Him;
Still He beholds the love and willing spirit,
And understands, though testimony's dim.
A little while, just watch a little longer,
And wait for Him to take thee to His Home;
O Savior, may our faith be growing stronger,
And may we watch for Thee till Thou shalt come.