“Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “ Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:39-41

“…there are no easy roads, for the life of faithfulness leads to the cross. One follows Jesus not because of some promised good result but simply because he (Jesus) brings “a new teaching—with authority” (Hays, Richard B. . The Moral Vision of the New Testament (p. 84). HarperOne. Kindle Edition.)

What carries authority in your life? I asked that question in a sermon not that long ago. The answer of course is simple: just look where people spend the most money and time in their lives, and you will be able to see what carries authority in their lives. For example, there are certain nights that certain shows are televised – and a lot of people are frozen on their couches and easy chairs watching. One those nights, during those times, television carries authority in their lives. Is that bad? Of course not – unless this is all we do night after night after night – day after day after day.

There is no other way to put it, the way of the cross has no short cuts, easy roads, or more comfortable paths. The way of the cross is a burden – it is the cross each follower is called to bear. Look at the disciples – people we think were the most faithful followers. They could not stay awake one hour to support Jesus. If it was difficult for them, then why should we think it will be easy for us.

Jesus says it best: “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” We need to stop kicking ourselves when we fall off the “following Jesus” bandwagon and be more willing to give up some things in our lives and devote more time to Jesus. We need to stop saying “What if I had done this for you Jesus?” and begin living into “What can I do next for you, Jesus?” We will never give Jesus authority in our lives if we continue to believe we are not worthy of his love, his time, his grace, and his mercy.

Pastor Dave