Text: Luke 22:39-71
After supper, Jesus Christ left the upper room, in company of His disciples, and went to Gethsemane, which name means “oil press”. It was a garden of many olive trees on the slope of the Mount of Olives. Jesus and His disciples used to frequent this spot whenever He wanted to be alone with His disciples to pray away from crowds. It was more of their Prayer Retreat Centre.
While at this place, Jesus tells His disciples to pray so that they may not fall into temptation (v.40). The temptations were real and several: (1). Jesus was soon leaving them; (2). the temptation of running away or denying their relationship with Him; (3). They were about to see the death of their master, Jesus Christ, leading to temptations of thinking that may be He was not the Messiah after all, and (4). the strongest temptation was to think that may be Jesus deceived them. Unfortunately the warning and imploring of Jesus Christ was not heeded; we witness what happens immediately after His arrest. In Christian life prayer is key! If Jesus God Himself prayed, then you and I do not have an option, but to pray even more!
In prayer, Jesus expressed His agony (vv.41-42) of the coming trials; yet He reaffirmed His commitment to do God’s will. The “cup” that Jesus is referring to is the terrible ordeal He was going to face; extreme torture and then crucifixion on the cross; worse still, He was to be separated from His Father, as He took on the sin of man! Please receive this grace and love of God, only in Christ is eternal life found.
Meditate on verse 40. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, help me not to fall into temptation. Amen.