“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41 NAS95)
We all face temptation. Jesus made this statement to His friends, at what probably proved to be His greatest hour. He, Himself, went to pray. He had spoken more than once with His closest associates about the threatening events about to take place in His life. His disciples experienced grave emotions concerning Jesus’s words about His upcoming crucifixion. They attempted to prove Jesus wrong by declaring their allegiance to Him (Matt 26:22). They denied or refused to face the reality Jesus happened to be preparing for in prayer. His admonition for facing temptation: fall into the hands of your loving Father — pray. Open yourself to God’s presence to you. Watch and pray. Jesus took His own advice. His disciples didn’t.
Jesus stood the test because He lived a life of communion with His Father. When the trial came, Jesus stood confident in the safety of His Father’s phenomenal love. From all the Gospel accounts, Jesus remained in command of the ensuing events, so proving His words: “I lay it [my life] down on My own initiative” (Jn 10:18). Jesus knew He’d live even if He died. While the disciples didn’t quite get it then, they sure did after the resurrection. They became men who “watched and prayed” and faced temptation while displaying incredible courage as the book of Acts reveals. Their watching and praying matured their confidence in God’s presence and love.
For Reflection:
“Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me.” (Psalms 66:20 NAS95)
- What happens when you pray that enables you to overcome temptations, insecurities or fears?
- What stories do you have to share where prayer enabled you to walk through issues you found almost disabling at the time? How did God meet you?
