Going a Little Farther with Jesus

Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Gethsemane. As they came to the Mount of Olives, Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray over there . . .” He took Peter, James, and John with Him and went a little farther. Then He said to them, “Stay here and watch with Me.” And Jesus went a little farther, fell on His face, and prayed (Matthew 26:36-39).

These three disciples—Peter, James, and John—had also gone farther with Jesus to the Mount of Transfiguration. They represent those today who are determined to go all the way with Christ: the little flock, the inner circle, those earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.

Yet, this chosen group failed to meet Jesus’ expectations. Instead of watching and praying, they fell asleep. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak. Prayer is hard work for the natural man—it’s much easier to sleep. But if there was ever a time Jesus needed a loyal band to watch and pray, it was then. They also needed to pray for themselves, for great temptation was near. Jesus knows what lies ahead for each of us. Let us stay in constant communion with Him.

Still, we are called to go even farther with Jesus. “Being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.” Sometimes God allows trials and testings to stir us to lay hold of Him more fervently. We need to pray with the same earnestness Jesus showed. When Jesus returned the third time and found the disciples still asleep, He said, “Sleep on now.” Later, Peter followed Jesus from a distance, warmed himself by the enemy’s fire, and denied his Lord. No Christian can stand with Jesus unless they go all the way with Him. There is no true atonement with Christ without personal atonement—the self-life must go to the cross. Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ.” He also wrote, “If we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection.” And Jesus said, “He that loves his life shall lose it.”

Jesus went all the way for us. It was His final step that brought salvation to fallen humanity. To go all the way with Jesus may mean leaving some behind at the first work of grace. Paul wrote, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.”

These believers were still in spiritual infancy, needing milk instead of solid food. When Abraham went to the place of sacrifice, he left some behind at home and others on the hillside tending the donkeys. Some Christians prefer this kind of service rather than going all the way with Jesus. When the ten spies returned from scouting the land of Canaan, only Caleb wanted to go farther. He said, “Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it.” God wanted His people to cross two rivers to separate them from Egypt so they wouldn’t even smell the leeks and onions again. But just as it was then, so it is now—many Christians prefer to stay close to the world rather than press on to possess their inheritance. They choose the leeks and onions of Egypt over the honey and figs of Canaan. “Let us therefore fear, lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any of you should seem to come short.” We are called to enter the rest that remains for the people of God. But if we do not go on with Jesus, we risk falling short of that promise.

For forty days, the armies of Israel were intimidated by Goliath’s challenge. Then David arrived, and in the name of Jehovah, he went a little farther. He stepped forward, faced the Philistine, and defeated him. Do you have a giant to overcome? Stop singing “Hold the fort” and attack him boldly in his cave. There would be no more wars if the nations truly followed Jesus. He said, “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”

Elisha alone crossed the Jordan with Elijah while fifty prophets stood watching. There are many Christians today who are content to observe but not to follow. Elisha, however, desired a double portion of his master’s spirit. Do you want all that Jesus has for you?

Paul warned of those who walk yet are enemies of the cross of Christ. They move forward, but not toward the fullness of God. When the Philistines returned the ark of God to Israel, they hitched two cows to the cart. The cows pulled the ark, but they lowed as they went—separated from their calves, longing for what they had left behind. That’s how some people approach church work: they serve, but they complain. They’ve come out of the world, but the world hasn’t come out of them. Like the cows, they pull a little, but grumble as they go. Let us go a little farther with Jesus.