A few weeks ago my son Jeremiah preached a lesson titled, “The Distance Greater Than a Stone’s Throw.” The principles found in that lesson are worthy of examination, and I would like to adapt his teaching in this article.
The reference is to Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane on the night of his betrayal, (Luke 22 & Matthew 26). Matthew reveals that after entering the garden, Jesus, Peter, James and John walked a bit further into the garden. There, Jesus left the three of them, and “He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw” (Luke 22:41), where He began to pray to His Father. He was in agony. After finding them asleep, Jesus said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26: 40-41).
But, the effort was too great for the disciples. In this dark hour, they failed their master by falling asleep yet again, “for their eyes were heavy” (Matthew 26:43). They remained asleep until the hour of Jesus betrayal at the and of Judas.
In his outline, Jeremiah notes, “YET, while they were physically ‘a stone’s throw’ away from Jesus, there was truly a distance far greater — they did not even do what simple thing Jesus requested, ’watch and pray.’” As Christians we rejoice in our “proximity” to Jesus. He is our Savior, our Lord.
We sing the song, “Close to Thee.” A beautiful song, with meaningful lyrics and chorus:
“Thou my everlasting portion
More than friend or life to me
All along my pilgrim journey
Savior let me walk with Thee”
“Close to Thee, close to Thee
Close to Thee, close to Thee
All along my pilgrim journey
Savior let me walk with Thee.”
(Frances J. Crosby)
Is it possible that these sentiments do not accurately describe the actual nearness of our relationship with the Lord? It is of supreme importance to be sure we are truly close to Jesus.
Greater Distances Than a Stone’s Throw
Just as the disciples failed their test due to their physical tiredness, it is possible for us to be unaware of very real dangers that threaten to distance us from Him. For example, consider the description Paul gave of the Jews in Romans 10:2-3. “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” Often in her history the Jews had a great desire to serve God, but they often did not accompany that desire with a knowledge of God’s will for them. Such was the case in Josiah’s day, as the law had been lost to them. It was also true in Paul’s time, hence his words to the churches in Rome.
Zeal (as with fire) is extremely beneficial when controlled. However, without boundaries it can cause great damage. Paul noted that in their ignorance, their great zeal actually resulted in their refusal to submit “to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3). True zeal that brings us close to the Master is zeal that is accompanied by God’s word! Paul wrote Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Knowledge without zeal likewise distances us from the Lord. James makes this clear in his epistle. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was” (James 1:22-24).
Ignorance is not a problem with some. They know what God’s word says, but they do not do it! Application must be made! David knew that adultery and murder were wrong, he was familiar with God’s will on the matter. But, he didn’t apply it to his own life until he was pressed by Nathan, “You are the man” (2 Samuel 12:7). Until he applied the violation of God’s law to himself, he remained far away from God.
Consider one other example. Paul warned about an incomplete righteousness that would distance many from God. He described individuals who have “a form of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). Though they presented themselves as followers, their actual loyalties lay with themselves and their desires rather than God, as Paul describe, “Men will be lovers of themselves… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (cf. 2 Timothy 3:2,4).
Such individuals were to be rejected (“from such people turn away!”), because “they will progress no further.” Their foolish façade becomes “manifest to all”, as they move further and further away from the Lord.
Self-examination is important. Most of us think we are close to the Lord, but is it possible that there is a greater distance between us than we realize? – something to consider. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
