And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
The Buck Stops Here. President Harry S. Truman had a plaque on his desk to remind him that everything under him was his responsibility, even if someone else made the mistake. It is a sound leadership principle. Unfortunately, Peter, as usual, learned the hard way from Jesus. Here was Jesus in his most trying moment, praying before that which needed to take place, took place. Soon he would feel as alone as he ever did and this was the last chance for his disciples to be with him and comfort him. They failed. Jesus had some words of rebuke; to Peter! This shows the position that had been given to Peter by Jesus but it also shows the responsibility. Peter represented the disciples but he also bore the burden of their shortcomings. The buck stopped with Peter.
As leaders of any organization but especially the church, this combination of oversight and responsibility is important to the health of the organization. Peter would make mistakes himself and take the blame for others’ sins. We are to do the same. Think of Jesus today, how he had a position of ultimate power in heaven but took the blame for the mistakes of the human race. He paid the penalty for those sins in agonizing fashion. The next time you feel overwhelmed by responsibility or let down by those you serve with, remember Harry Truman and apply it to Jesus…
The buck stopped on the cross.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church