ZPCBlog

About the author: Craig Olney and his wife Christy are active ZPC members. They serve as Home Group leaders, on Great Banquet and Kairos Prison ministry teams, and are ZPC greeters and and First Impressions Team members. Craig is an active Elder, and Christy serves on mission teams. They look forward to serving on the mission team to Uganda. They live in the Village of West Clay, where they enjoy biking, hiking, and summer concerts.

Luke 22:39-46 (NIV)

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Devotional

Our passage today finds Jesus and the disciples on very familiar ground, the Mount of Olives. This is where just a few days ago the people rejoiced and welcomed Jesus as the Holy one who rode into the temple as “the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Wow, what a difference this time. Luke reports that “Jesus went “out as usual” to this place, that he and the disciples knew well, to pray. Jesus knew these next few days were going to be brutal. He knew the time had come that he had told the disciples about, but he also knew they did not understand or accept the fact he had to die and rise from the grave. Jesus knew what they needed. It was prayer that would help them deal with what was coming and not fall into the temptation to quit and run away.

Jesus then moves away from the disciples to pray for his own strength to resist temptation. He prays to not have to endure the trial but that if this is the only way, then he wants the will of his father to prevail and he is willing to trust this is the only way. Luke reports that this was not an easy prayer for Jesus to pray or accept the answer he received. Jesus is sent an angel from heaven to strengthen him and he prays harder until he sweats. Once finished with his prayer, Jesus returns to the disciples and finds them asleep. He seems disappointed and angry that they had given into temptation. He then commands them again to pray so that they will not fall into temptation.

As a modern-day disciple of Christ, I find myself in the same place as the disciples reported by Luke. I sometimes fall asleep when I pray. I do not pray often enough about important decisions. I often want to give in to temptation. I think I would be scared as well if I were to experience what the disciples are about to see happen to Jesus. What about you? Can you identify with these guys? Today we are in a different place because we know how this story ends. But we do not know how our story ends. What is Jesus calling you to do that could favorably change the lives of others? Pray about it; pray for boldness and strength and know God is using you in mighty ways to further his kingdom!

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God,
Help me to be a bold follower and use me to further your plan for salvation of all humanity. Help me to remain faithful to your call and help me avoid the temptation to go my own way when I cannot see how you are leading me. Help me to accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can, and have the wisdom to know the difference. Remind me that everything works for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose. Keep me ever mindful that it is your will to be done and not mine. May all glory and honor be yours Lord.
AMEN

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