Matthew 26
v36 When Jesus comes to the garden, He has the disciples sit while He goes to another place to pray. He takes Peter, James and John.
v. 38 He says that His soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death.
He commands the three to stay with Him to keep watch.
What are they watching for? I believe that when we face trials, especially of any magnitude, our flesh can rise up and provide opportunity for disobedience to what God has commanded.
Jesus knew that He was about to be betrayed and soon die.
His soul didnt like the idea. So, Jesus grabs His closest friends to war and deal with it.
v39 Jesus falls on His face and prays –
“God, take this away…”
We see the manifestation of His soul’s struggle. Jesus’ own flesh was rising up, but He shows us that prayer is the weapon to combat it.
v40 He goes back to the disciples again, and they are sleeping. I believe that a spirit of slumber was warring against them. It is the devil’s scheme to isolate. Jesus was becoming ever more so isolated.
v41 “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Temptation is a place – a destin. And, not necessarily a good one. But, it can be the doorway to glory.
Jesus said to pray. “Lead us not into temptation.”
To lead means that there are followers – to some place. Temptation is a place.
“Enter into temptation.” Dont go there, Jesus says. For, if we go there, disobedience could have victory.
What do we do?
We WATCH. Watch for the devil. Watch for the flesh to rise up. I believe that the devil was prowling that night. He already had entered Judas. It was war.
We PRAY. We need grace to succeed in battle. Prayer to align with God’s will was Jesus’ answer.
He tells us that the flesh is weak. It is here that temptation lies. It is here where disobedience can be found.
Watch!
Pray!
v42 Jesus goes back and prays some more. “Father, Your will be done.” Again, He prays this.
v43 He finds the three sleeping again. Spirit of slumber. Many are asleep to the devil’s schemes.
v45 The shift came after His third pass at praying. He goes back to the three. You guys still sleeping?
Sometimes, rest is not the posture. Sometimes, war is.
Jesus declares,
– the hours is at hand
– the one who betrays Me is at hand
It was time, and Jesus now had strength.
Watch!
Pray!
Submit to god
Even death on a cross can be overcome.