For the Israelites enslaved in Egypt, the night of Passover was the night God delivered them from the oppression of the Egyptians. God instructed Moses to tell the people that they must take the blood of a lamb and “put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs (Ex. 12:7).” God then said, “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgement on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt (Ex. 12:12,13).”

This night became known as the night of watching. Exodus 12:42 tells us, “It was a night of watching by the LORD, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the LORD by all the people of Israel throughout their generations.” On this night, even to this day, Jews “watch” for what God is doing in their lives and in their community. 

It is not surprising that Jesus asks His disciples to watch with Him on the night He is arrested. Jesus took His disciples out to a place called Gethsemane and said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch with me (Matt. 26:38).” But instead of “watching,” the disciples fell asleep. 

I don’t know about you, but I love naps. As a parent of young children, I think I could take a nap anywhere and at any time. The next few weeks are going to be busy as we journey through Lent and make our way to the cross, both as individuals and as families. My encouragement is that as much as you want to take a nap, don’t miss what God is doing in your life, in the life of your family, and in your neighborhood. Take a few moments over the next couple of weeks to stop what you are doing and to spend some time “watching.” 

My prayer for you is that God gives you eyes to see what God is doing and the courage to walk the path that God is calling you to walk.  

Eric Schrotenboer
www.ericschrotenboer.com

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