Sad as it is, it is none the less certain that we, too, must expect some
in whom we have trusted to fail us in that hour when we most need them, be
it the hour of supreme temptation, or of great opportunity, or of deep
sorrow for the Kingdom's sake. It was precisely this which happened to our
Lord. It is bad to be so dependent on men--even on the most beautiful, or
most perfect souls--that we cannot fight on without them. The dependence
of love must work hand in hand with the independence of faith, if we are
to take our share in this trial of our Master and to profit by it.
Those who thus fail us will, perchance, be the very persons upon whom we
have most reason to rely, and whom in some sore trial of our faith or
moment of danger, we have specially called upon for defence and prayer,
for strength and sympathy, as did our Lord in the case of these disciples.
Until now, Peter had been a valiant, not to say, reckless follower of
Jesus; while all, John especially, had been well beloved and tenderly
watched over by Him. And yet this woeful sleep deadens them to it all.
Even for one short hour they cannot watch with Him.