This morning’s devotion is based on Week 3 of Cross Examined: Why are you sleeping? (LISTEN HERE)
It’s hard to stay alert when you are physically tired. Yet that is what Jesus asked his disciples on the evening before his crucifixion.
The day had been long. Preparing the Passover. Jesus washing feet. The emotion of Jesus’ prayer for himself and his disciples. The shock of Judas being identified as the betrayer. The eating of the Passover meal. The establishment of the new covenant in the Lord’s Supper.
The day was physically, emotionally and spiritually taxing.
Here’s what happened next:
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
Jesus was fully aware of the task ahead. It was going to tax him physically, emotionally and spiritually. His prayer was spoken with intensity to understand if there was another way that would accomplish the salvation of mankind that did not involve “drinking the cup” that was ahead of him. The intensity broke the capillaries in his skin so that his sweat was mixed with drops of blood.
Of any time, he needed the support of his closest disciples, Peter, James & John. He wanted them to stay awake to pray with him and for him.
However, as Jesus amazingly does, he is always thinking about and concerned for the spiritual well being of his followers.
Jesus wanted them to stay awake and spend time in prayer for their spiritual well-being. “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
Satan was going to be working on the disciples. How? We are not sure, but Jesus wanted them to stay spiritually alert. He knew that Satan is a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. The unobservant is the one that a lion can devour. You don’t know when or where he will strike.
What might be some of the temptations?
Satan could tempt them to think Jesus was a rogue criminal and lose their faith in him.
Satan could tempt them to think the promises of Jesus were without foundation and doubt them.
Satan could tempt them to drift back to those who opposed Jesus for fear of being captured too.
Satan could tempt them to protect their own safety rather than stay strong in faith.
Whatever it was, Jesus didn’t want them to fall asleep and lose their alertness.
We may not be in the garden. Jesus may not be praying a stone throw’s away, but his encouragement is the same for us.
Temptation comes unexpectedly. Temptation comes from places you don’t expect.
The warning and encouragement are from Jesus to you as well.
Watch and pray so that YOU do not fall into temptation!
Apply: Notice today when and where temptations come to act or respond in a way that is not God pleasing. Pray for ability to spot them and overcome them!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for perfectly spotting and overcoming Satan’s temptations for me. Strengthen me with awareness and ability to notice and overcome temptations today. AMEN.