“Can You Stay Awake?” – A Call to Embrace Redemptive Suffering
“This is the pivotal moment of history. Jesus literally has a choice—to save the world, or not. It says in John 10:18 that Jesus says he can choose to lay his life down. Nobody takes it from him. It’s his choice. And in this moment, it’s a legitimate choice for Jesus to make: does he go ahead and allow himself to be crucified and thus save the world? This is the power of God entering human history—not through might, not through strength, but through suffering. Redemptive suffering. And that changes the world.”
– Bishop Justin Duckworth
Bishop Justin Duckworth delivered this powerful message during the Refresh: Chrism Eucharist service at St Peter’s on Willis in Wellington City last week.
The service brought together Anglican Movement whānau to renew baptismal and ordination vows.
Bishop Justin spoke directly to the heart of the gospel: Jesus chose suffering. He didn’t face the cross because he had no other option—he embraced it. Jesus demonstrated how redemptive suffering releases God’s power into the world, not through force or control, but through love willing to endure pain for the sake of others.
“Our culture constantly urges us to avoid pain, protect ourselves, and stay comfortable,” Bishop Justin said. “But Jesus invites us into something deeper. He calls us to follow him—even into suffering—because that’s where real transformation begins.”
Justin drew our attention to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus asked his disciples to stay awake. As Jesus faced the weight of the world’s redemption, his closest friends fell asleep. “That same call still rings out,” Justin said. “Will we stay awake, or will we retreat into distraction, numbness, and comfort?”
He spoke candidly about his own temptations to escape: social media, mindless scrolling, even gardening—good things that can become distractions when they draw us away from Christ’s invitation. “I’ve had to get honest about how I avoid the hard stuff,” he admitted. “But if we want to see God’s kingdom come, we have to stay awake.”
Over 40 years of following Jesus have taught Justin that saying yes to sacrifice never leads to regret. “Every time I’ve given up comfort, money, status, or safety to follow Christ, I’ve found deeper life on the other side,” he said. “But I also know—it gets harder as we grow older and have more to lose.”
He closed with a challenge: “What does it mean for you to stay awake? What does it mean to refuse escape and join Jesus in his work of redemption? Christ is moving. He is bringing salvation. Will you be present for it?”
This Chrism Eucharist reminded us that staying awake isn’t just about awareness—it’s about readiness. God is at work in our Diocese, and he invites each of us to take part. Through prayer, worship, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we walk together on holy ground, carrying Christ’s love into the world.
After the Eucharist, lines of people formed at prayer stations where they were anointed with holy oil and prayed for with the laying on of hands. The St Michael’s Kelburn music team led the gathering in beautiful worship creating a spirit of praise. Special thanks to the members of St Peter’s who hosted the evening with gracious hospitality.
Note: AI was used in the creation of this story.
