Jesus took the disciples to the Mount of Olives. When they got there he asked them to pray against falling into temptation.
Excusing himself from the group, he went and knelt to pray. Father, if you can take this cup from me please do so…but ultimately, your will be done and not my own. As he prayed these words, an angel appeared to strengthen him. He was so overcome with worry that he literally began to sweat drops of blood. Then, stood up and returned to his disciples to find them exhausted and sleeping. Why are you sleeping? he asked. Get up now and pray against falling into temptation.
This is the story of Jesus praying at the Mount of Olives found in Luke 22:39-46
Sometimes I get so busy and caught up in having to “fit in quiet time” with God that I forget to enjoy the story. To me, as I read this beautiful story, Jesus was revealing what vulnerability and perseverance look like. He is overcome with worry, knowing the “cup” set before him. He understood entirely what that would entail because he was both fully man and fully God. Although he was preparing to bear the weight of all man’s sin and felt in his human soul the monstrosity of it all, he knew not to sit and wallow in it no matter how scary it might be. He demonstrated this courage to us by returning to his people and encouraging them not to wallow in their own exhaustion but instead for them all to turn to God and intercede on behalf of one another; pleading for strength to turn away from falling into such temptations.
Today I challenge you to not just read scripture, but to find the story behind it. What is he saying to you specifically through that story? Why did God lead you to that scripture today? How is it relevant to what you are walking in currently?
I certainly am being reminded of this as I am challenging myself to not only spend more time in the word on the daily but also to not let all the tasks/meetings/classes/fun things around me become more important than spending time with my father. If you would like some accountability in this area, I’d love to start an email thread with you and begin discussing the things God is teaching us both…hit me up at [email protected]
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
