"He (Jesus) Was Parted From Them About A Stone's Cast"

by J.R. LUCK | Category: Devotional Meditations | Mar 1962

(Luke 22.31-34, 22.39-46, 22.54-62.)

In these scriptures we have Simon Peter's impetuous protestation at the thought of being stumbled on account of the Shepherd being smitten and the flock scattered. We have his equally vehement denial, and, in between, the fearful agony of the Saviour in the garden of Gethsemane. The thought which prompts our present meditation is that Jesus "was parted from them about a stone's cast." A stone's throw is not a very great distance. In the dark garden we know the disciples were within sight and hearing of their Master as He proceeded beyond them a little space, but their eyes and hearts were heavy with sorrow and their ears dulled with weariness. How much they saw and heard we may only surmise from the divine narratives, but, reading these carefully and prayerfully, we should gather much that will both humble and stimulate us to holier living and closer following.

Other scriptures tell us that only Peter, James and John went thus far with Him into the garden, and it is with Peter especially we would join company; for, be it said, on this as on other occasions which are not altogether creditable he stands as a type of us all. Peter had been taken aback at the Lord's suggestion that he was an object of Satan's winnowing interest. Overlooking the fact of his Master's already spoken supplication that his faith fail not, and the suggestion of his conversion and future leadership, he forcefully expresses his determination to go with his Lord to prison and to death. With all charity we may legitimately suppose that this was the flesh speaking, for he was an impetuous man. How often, with us, the flesh is heard saying, "anywhere He leads me, I will follow on," without first sitting down and counting the cost.

In reply to Peter's boasting assertion, the Saviour quietly tells of his soon-coming and thrice-repeated denial which will accompany the cock-crow. So, in thought, to Gethsemane we repair; and, with eyes wide open, watch over against the favoured, but weary, three. The blessed Man of Sorrows leaves them behind "a stone's cast," saying, "Abide ye here, and watch with Me."

"'Tis midnight, and from all removed

The Saviour wrestles 'lone with fears,

E'en that disciple whom He loved

Heeds not his Master's grief and tears."

Falling upon His face which became "so marred more than any man," He was sorrowful and troubled exceedingly," even unto death." Three times He prays to His Father for release from this cup of intense suffering (not merely the physical, but the anguish of soul in anticipation of the horrors that were coming upon Him, for He was to be made sin for us). Thrice He rises and, with besweated countenance, seeks out His three disciples, but a stone's cast away. Doubtless He seeks sympathy and comfort, but, finding all asleep, He says (significantly to Peter), "Simon, sleepest thou? couldest thou not watch one hour?" Luke tells us that Jesus was strengthened by an angel, but adds, "and being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground." This indicates the intensity of the struggle; great, therefore, is our joy, as we hear from His parched lips, the words addressed to His Father, "Nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done," bringing assurance that the devil has been vanquished, that the Scriptures would be fulfilled, and the redemption of man accomplished; even at the cost of the death of the beloved Son of God. This is confirmed as we hear Him say to His sleepy disciples, " Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth Me."

He was parted from them but a stone's cast, yet, as they slept instead of watching, how infinitely farther than that were they removed from Him! May writer and reader ask, as together we meditate upon "those midnight scenes of woe," How is it with me? How far am I from my Saviour? Am I watching or sleeping?

The betrayer was, indeed, at hand with the multitude. Now the disciples are alert as they view the astounding scene. Judas, one of their own number, they perceive by the light of torches and lanterns, is leading men with swords and staves. He whispers instructions to them as he goes to meet Jesus, and implants the betrayer's kiss of identification on the Saviour's cheek. "Judas," says the Saviour, not in surprise but condemnation, "betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?" Here the "last Adam" meets with the vilest of the first Adam's race, their juxtaposition proving, beyond doubt, the awful sinfulness of sin and the unsullied holiness of the appointed Sacrifice.

While all the gospel narrators describe the incident of the drawn sword, only John tells us that the aggressor is Simon Peter, who, striking at a man in the mob who happens to be a servant of the High Priest, severs his right ear. Did Peter, by this act, we wonder, think to implement his vehement affirmation that he was prepared to go to prison and to death with Jesus? That day he learnt, as we should know by now, that a display of physical valour is far easier than moral and spiritual support, whether the enemy approaches in the guise of a Judas or a servant girl.

The Lord gently remonstrates with His erring disciple, miraculously heals the wounded man, and turns to meet the chief priests, captains of the temple and elders. These, strange as it may seem, are the real instigators of this fell deed and they seize Jesus and bring Him into the high priest's house. We still keep our eyes upon Peter, who, to his credit, is still following his Master, but " afar off." Apparently only he and John remain thus far, and John obtains permission to bring Peter into the court, where, mixing with the servants and officers of the high priest, he sits and warms himself. With James and John in the garden he had been but a "stone's cast" from his Lord; now he follows "afar off" into the court. Let us ponder the phrase. We judge, applying a physical yard-stick, Peter in the court was nearer to Jesus than in the garden, for it would be a very large building which, from "the midst" to the farther wall, could be measured by a stone's throw. But the Holy Spirit, in thus causing the record to be written, is stating a fact - in heart and spirit Peter is getting farther and farther removed from the Saviour. May our contemplation of these scenes suggest that the distance between the disciples and the Lord effected by proximity to, and complicity with, the world (which still sets Him at nought) is fraught with untold spiritual dangers, as impetuous Peter was to learn.

Three other implications in the story may be briefly suggested. First, the servant girl, in approaching Peter, recognized him as being "with him." She had seen, them together and, maybe, thought of him as a casual "hanger-on"; no more and no less, just "with Him". Another came and said, "Thou also art one of them," bespeaking a much closer relationship with Christ and His band of followers. Yet another confidently affirmed, saying, "Of a truth this man also was with Him: for he ,is a Galilean," and Matthew adds, " for thy speech bewrayeth thee. " The man had noticed an outward likeness between them: Galilieans speaking the same dialect. How is it with us? How near are we to our Lord? Do our neighbours and workmates know us only as nominal Christians? or do they know we are associated with the called-out people of God in the Fellowship of His Son ? Above all, do they see in us those characteristics which mark us out beyond question as His?

How very far off was Peter that day, for Matthew's record says "Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew." This seems to have been heard and understood by Peter, for, lifting his head, he met the look of his Master, at which he went out and wept bitterly. Artists have tried to depict that look, but it is in vain to speculate as to its main expression; suffice, if we are granted grace and courage to live so close to our Lord and Master, that the look we meet at His coming will not cause us shame and sorrow.

Future articles will (D.V.) refer more particularly to the sufferings of Christ in the judgement halls and upon the cross and these will be, for the moment, passed over, save to note that Matthew and Mark record, at the apprehension of Jesus, "Then all the disciples left Him and fled." How utterly alone was He! Truly the Shepherd was smitten and the flock scattered, as Zachariah 13.7 foretold. The sad words of the Messianic Psalm (69) echo down the years, "I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none." Not even a Peter, a James, or a John, could enter into that sorrow, unlike all other grief, "wherewith the LORD hath afflicted Me in the day of His fierce anger." Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? that

Alone He bear the cross,

Alone its grief sustained;

His was the shame and loss,

And He the victory gained."

Many years later, when setting down these things in order, John seems to add a postscript to his Gospel in the last chapter. The Holy Spirit here writes of Peter's" conversion," as foretold by the Saviour in conjunction with his denial, "when once thou hast turned (converted) stablish thy brethren." Although the risen Lord had already appeared to Peter, yet he says to six fellow-disciples gathered on the shore of the sea of Galilee, " I go a fishing," and rising to the bait, they go along with him. But Peter is soon to meet the risen Lord again and to know the strength of those cords of love that will never break. But first there must come the searching test. Three times, perhaps intentionally reminding Peter of his thrice-repeated denial, the Lord asks, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me?" The test over, from those blessed lips came the loving invitation and royal command, "Follow thou Me." Again, it is useless to try to imagine the look on that radiant Face as He addresses Peter, it would certainly be in contrast to that which filled Simon Peter with remorse and caused him bitter weeping. "Follow thou Me," the word is borne to us from those far off days - no less a royal command to every disciple today. Follow closely, ever more closely, not even a stone's cast between; "follow on to know the Lord."

"Stablish thy brethren." Peter had learned this lesson when he came to write his first letter; for on it we cannot fail to see the impact of those imperishable incidents on which we have meditated. For instance, 1 Peter 2.21, " For hereunto were ye called : because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow His steps." The verses following, to the end of the chapter, should be carefully read in this connexion. As Peter had in mind, in writing his second epistle, his experience in the " holy mount" (of transfiguration) may we suggest in this first letter he had as a background that night in the garden of Gethsemane when his eyes were so heavy that he could not watch, and the following tragic hour when he denied his Lord. The last verse in the chapter is very affecting, in view of his own deflection from, and return to, His Master: " For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

Where do you and I stand in our following, dear reader? "A stone's cast," "afar off," or at His side? May our prayer ever be,

"0 Lamb of God, still keep me

Near to Thy wounded side;

'Tis only there in safety

And peace I can abide."

J.R. LUCK | Mar 1962
Devotional Meditations