Matthew 26:41 (The Message) “There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”

At this point in the story, when Jesus is asking the disciples to do Him a favor, as a friend, the disciples are unable to come through for Him, but not from a lack of trying. (An important note, this is before they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit.)

Moments before falling asleep, Peter even pledges his undying allegiance to Jesus. He wanted to do what was good… but he just couldn’t. 

We hear about what is good, and we are eagerly drawn to it – but our old habits have a way of weighing us down, and keep us from living out what is good.

As I build on Romans 8:28 this week, “we know that God works all things together for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose in them,” I want to remind us – that He asks us to love Him, not to go at this world on our own. God alone will work the good and true into the perfect mosaic.

Because of the price Jesus paid on the cross, we have been given the gift of being made new through His Spirit. This great reward came at a very high price, the blood of Our Savior.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can call on our Heavenly Father to bring our broken flesh into the newness of life that guides the Spirit within us. We no longer need to be a slave to the flesh. There is something better for all of us, to be made new. To live free through Our Lord, Jesus. May it be so. 

Here is a fuller portion of the excerpt I referenced from the book of Matthew.

Matthew 26:31-46 (The Message)

Gethsemane

31-32 Then Jesus told them, “Before the night’s over, you’re going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me. There is a Scripture that says,

I’ll strike the shepherd;

dazed and confused, the sheep will be scattered.

But after I am raised up, I, your Shepherd, will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee.”

33 Peter broke in, “Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won’t.”

34 “Don’t be so sure,” Jesus said. “This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times.”

35 Peter protested, “Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you.” All the others said the same thing.

36-38 Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, “Stay here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, “This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me.”

39 Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?”

40-41 When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, “Can’t you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”

42 He then left them a second time. Again he prayed, “My Father, if there is no other way than this, drinking this cup to the dregs, I’m ready. Do it your way.”

43-44 When he came back, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn’t keep their eyes open. This time he let them sleep on, and went back a third time to pray, going over the same ground one last time.

45-46 When he came back the next time, he said, “Are you going to sleep on and make a night of it? My time is up, the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the hands of sinners. Get up! Let’s get going! My betrayer is here.”

And a few pics… because life can be so beautiful.