Temptation
"Pray that you may not enter into temptation." Luke 22:39
Before Jesus went into the Garden, he wisely charged his disciples to pray. He knew that this would be their most trying hour, for fear and self-preservation would replace their growing faith.
Jesus knew what was to come. God had lifted the cloak of safety from the little group, so that the promise (death and ressurrection) could be fullfilled. Satan needed to believe that he had the chance to destroy the Messiah - the Redeemer to fulfill the prophecy, but in removing that cloak of safety, the entire group was susceptible to temptation.
Jesus went to the Garden to pray against his own temptation. He wanted to execute his Father's plan without succumbing to slander or anger against his tormentors. He expected his disciples to do the same.
In verse 43, Jesus comes back to his disciples after praying, and is incredulous that they are sleeping. Again he charges them to pray against temptation. He knows that if he or his disciples justify themselves in the coming hours, then the justification of God will not be apparent.
It was too late - Judas came with the guards, and as predicted his disciples acted out of fear and anger instead of faith. Using a sword they cut off the ear of one of the guardsmen. Fear begets anger, and anger begets damage.
Quickly Jesus healed the guardsmen ear, just as he now heals the relationships that we damage with our sword or tongue. He shows us that it matters not who is right or who is wrong, but that we continue to love each other without succumbing to fear and anger.
Faith and fear cannot abide together, and fear is the first step into temptation.
Before Jesus went into the Garden, he wisely charged his disciples to pray. He knew that this would be their most trying hour, for fear and self-preservation would replace their growing faith.
Jesus knew what was to come. God had lifted the cloak of safety from the little group, so that the promise (death and ressurrection) could be fullfilled. Satan needed to believe that he had the chance to destroy the Messiah - the Redeemer to fulfill the prophecy, but in removing that cloak of safety, the entire group was susceptible to temptation.
Jesus went to the Garden to pray against his own temptation. He wanted to execute his Father's plan without succumbing to slander or anger against his tormentors. He expected his disciples to do the same.
In verse 43, Jesus comes back to his disciples after praying, and is incredulous that they are sleeping. Again he charges them to pray against temptation. He knows that if he or his disciples justify themselves in the coming hours, then the justification of God will not be apparent.
It was too late - Judas came with the guards, and as predicted his disciples acted out of fear and anger instead of faith. Using a sword they cut off the ear of one of the guardsmen. Fear begets anger, and anger begets damage.
Quickly Jesus healed the guardsmen ear, just as he now heals the relationships that we damage with our sword or tongue. He shows us that it matters not who is right or who is wrong, but that we continue to love each other without succumbing to fear and anger.
Faith and fear cannot abide together, and fear is the first step into temptation.
posted by Hepzibah The Watchman | 7:24 AM
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