that Peter is backsliding on the in side is manifested outwardly in a blurred vision of Christ. He did not seem to realize that the way of the cross is the way to the crown. In Mark 14:26ff we find that the disciples sang a hymn and went out into the Mount of Olives. The Lord told them frankly, "All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee." (Notice again how the cross is coupled with the resurrec tion.) This displeased Peter as he vowed, "Although all shall be of fended, yet will not I." This is another evidence of his backslid ing as he utters such boastful pride (vs. 29). He seemed to be brag ging about his pride! The rest of the disciples were not spiritual enough. They were followers but not as good as he was. Pride, quite frankly, is the damn ing sin of the hour in which we live. Sinners are too proud to go to church and saints are too proud to go to prayer meetings. No one wants to admit that he needs God's help. To those who know the Lord, spiritual pride is the worst form of pride there is. May God deliver us from it! As the Lord went further into the garden to pray, He returned only to find Peter asleep. There are three times he slept recorded in the New Testament. He slept in the presence of glory on the Mount of Transfiguration (his eyes were heavy). He slept in the pres ence of agony (in the garden). He slept in the presence of gloom while in prison (Acts 12). What was the matter here in the garden? Page 25
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