A Stone’s Throw Away
Luke 22:39–43 (KJV)
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
The Agony in the Garden
After the Passover meal, Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives. He had already told them one would betray Him and that Peter would deny Him. Now, anticipating the suffering ahead, He prayed with deep agony. Scripture says His sweat fell like great drops of blood.
But even in that moment, while He prayed in agony, His disciples fell asleep. Jesus pressed forward anyway. He went a little further—a stone’s throw away—and surrendered fully to the will of God.
What It Means to Go Further
The phrase a stone’s throw away reminds us that Jesus didn’t stop where the others stopped. He stepped further into prayer, surrender, and commitment.
That’s the call for us today:
When others grow weary, keep moving forward.
When temptation presses in, pray with greater intensity.
When the crowd is watching, step out in obedience.
Going a stone’s throw further means living beyond comfort and convenience.
The Call to Commitment
Joshua lingered in the tabernacle when others walked away (Exodus 33:11). Elisha refused to leave Elijah’s side and was rewarded with a double portion (2 Kings 2). Each of them chose to go further when others held back.
Commitment is rare in our world. People abandon marriages, jobs, and even their faith. But now is not the time to give up. If Jesus could endure temptation and outlast the devil, then with His Spirit we can too.
Guarding Against Temptation
Jesus warned His disciples twice: “Pray that you enter not into temptation.”
When we stay in our comfort zones, sin begins to feel normal. We stop being bothered by it. The answer is not retreat but pressing deeper into prayer and holiness. Temptation loses its grip when we choose to step further with God.
Don’t Fear the Crowd
There will always be those who sit back and watch. The disciples watched. The prophets watched. But Elisha acted, and God honored his commitment.
Don’t let the opinions of others keep you in place. What separates believers is not talent or opportunity but the willingness to go further with God.
Jesus, the Rejected Stone
Psalm 118:22 says, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”
Jesus was cast aside, rejected, and despised. Even now, some still hold Him at a distance. But for those who are willing to go a stone’s throw away—into prayer, into worship, into full surrender—He becomes the cornerstone of their lives.
Keep Going
Some of you may be tired. Some may be ready to give up. But hear this:
It is God’s will for you to live victoriously.
It is God’s will for your family to be saved.
It is God’s will for revival to break out.
Don’t quit now. Don’t settle into comfort. Go a stone’s throw away.
When others stop short, will you keep going? When the world grows weary, will you go further? The victory, the strength, the breakthrough—it’s waiting just a stone’s throw away.