What If ???

"…He came…and said to Peter…"…the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." - (Matt. 26:40-41, NASB)

   Many of us are familiar with the words of Jesus highlighted above, and most of us can identify with the truth of Jesus statement. As I read this passage this morning, I noticed something that I had not put together before. When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, He took all the disciples with him, but only took Peter, James, and John with Him deeper into the garden.  Jesus went a little further alone and prayed. When he came back to the group, the Bible records that he found them sleeping. And, to be honest, it was past time for bed for these guys. Jesus wakes them up and rebukes them. Now, notice Jesus' words in verse 40, "And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to PETER." (emphasis mine) He did not necessarily rebuke James and John, but directed His words at Peter. Why is this? If you back-track to verse 33-35, you will find that it is Peter who says, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away," and, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny you." It was Peter who spoke up first and loudest as Jesus was preparing them for the events of the following three days.

   As I read this passage, I could not help to think, "What if Peter had stayed awake and prayed as Jesus instructed him?" Jesus told him "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Peter's willingness is blatantly obvious, but so is his weakness, for it is Peter who later denies Jesus not once, not twice, but three times in a row. So, again, what would have happened if Peter would have prayed? Some would suggest that Peter still would have fallen, for then Jesus' prophetic words would have been wrong. However, Jesus was not speaking as a prophet and predestining Peter to some course of action. Jesus was speaking as the LORD, who sees both the future and the past in perfect clarity. Peter would fall, but he did not have to. If you continue through the NT, you will not find Peter denying Jesus again. As a matter of fact, it was Peter who stood and preached to the masses on the day of Pentecost. But, I have no doubt that Peter never forgot the lesson, and learned to lean on the presence of God through prayer as his source of strength.

   Each of us are like Peter. There are many good and wholesome things that we want to do. We want to live righteously and please God through our lives. However, like Peter, our willingness can be easily overridden by our flesh. So how do we overcome this? The answer is the same that Jesus gave to Peter: "Keep watching and praying." Standing firm in your faith it is not going to happen by turning over a new leaf, purchasing a new Bible study, changing churches, or any other action of the flesh. These things are not necessarily wrong, but there is no substitute for prayer. The more time you spend in private prayer, the greater strength you will have.

May God richly bless you as you seek Him.