Not falling into temptation

Luke 22:39-46

³⁹ Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” ⁴¹ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴ And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

⁴⁵ When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

We see from this passage that it was Jesus’ custom to pray, and he would do so in a particular spot, the Mount of Olives.  On this occasion Jesus took his disciples with him and asked them to pray for one thing – that they would not fall into temptation.  The disciples struggled with this request falling asleep and needing to be reminded.  Meanwhile, Jesus prayed fervently, to the point of sweating blood that he would fulfill God’s will above his own.

Jesus could have asked the disciples to pray for many things, but he chose just one – that they would not fall in to temptation.  Why this?  To not fall into temptation would mean not being led astray and doing your own thing but rather submitting oneself to God’s will and purposes.  Placing God’s will above your own, surrendering oneself entirely to the Lord which is what Jesus was essentially praying for himself.  As a believer it’s an ongoing contest, a fierce battle to place God’s will above your own on every occasion and here we see even Jesus found it extremely difficult.  Jesus led by example and praying that we do not fall into temptation is an everyday prayer template.  It is also mentioned in the Lord’s prayer which is the famous guideline on how to pray – so it must be important! I am reminded, like those first disciples to pray specifically about not falling into temptation.

Dear Lord, may we not fall into temptation but continue to do your will with all our hearts.  Keep us on the right track Lord. Amen

Written by Ps. Ainslie Woods