We’ve all repeated certain activities that over time became second nature to us. We call them habits or disciplines. Like locking our car doors without thinking or brushing our teeth every morning. I’ve heard it said that if you practice something regularly for 30 days it will become a habit.

The greatest serving leader ever—Jesus of Nazareth—was a master at discipline. Consider Luke 22:39. “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.” Jesus had an ongoing custom of going to the same place to meet his Father. It comprised his ethos as the Greek indicates. Jesus developed habits that kept him aligned with his Father’s will. In studying the Gospel narratives you can conclude that He developed numerous habits such as solitude, prayer, and Scripture memorization.

But consider further some implications in this specific text. We note that his disciples followed him. Jesus desired that they become like him, taking on his habits and disciplines that would ensure their future success.

Shortly before they went out to the Mount of Olives, Jesus had prayed that Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail when he was sifted like wheat by Satan. He alerted Peter to an upcoming struggle he would certainly face—Peter would deny the very one he claimed to love most. But Jesus also hinted at Peter’s ability to bounce back: “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” After all, states the author of Proverbs: “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (24:16). In Peter’s case, Jesus lovingly raised him back to full relational status with the statements, “Feed my lambs”, “Take care of my sheep”, and “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15, 16, & 17)). Jesus restored Peter three times with these three statements of confidence in Peter’s leadership—one time for each of the three denials.

There are two key points to draw from this passage around the issue of habits and discipline. First, note the comparison between Jesus and His disciples. Peter and the rest of the disciples failed to stay awake and alert when Jesus was praying in the garden. Jesus—who was connected to his Father through the habit of prayer and solitude—overcame temptation whereas the disciples did not, even though Jesus had told them twice to pray so they wouldn’t fall. It was also in a garden that Adam and Eve had first yielded to temptation in an ultimate rejection of God. Here in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus yielded to his Father’s will to overcome temptation and set in motion the restoration of humanity’s relationship with God. Discipline yields positive results. It pays a price in the present to bring about greater gain in the future.

Second, note that those who fail at self-discipline or struggle to maintain good habits are candidates for forgiveness and future victory. Jesus fights for us through intercession (Romans 8:34 & Hebrews 7:25). We also learn from our mistakes. Peter went on to feed the flock of God as one of the key leaders in the early church movement. Jesus modeled good habits to his disciples and helped them toward overcoming for future success.

QUESTIONS: What disciplines or habits are firmly rooted in your life? Which ones need a tune-up or complete overhaul? Are there any new ones you should consider for greater life success? If so, how will you begin to integrate them into your busy life? How will you keep yourself accountable and ensure sustainability?