Jesus prays on Mount of Olives
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What Jesus Knew
As a firefighter, I spend long periods of time away from my family. It has a sobering effect on me each time I get ready to report to work knowing that there is a very real possibility that I might not be able to return home for whatever reason. That notion hit me hardest when my children were young. Back then, I would spend a little extra time each night before my shifts at their bedsides sharing stories, songs and prayers together. Sometimes, and probably quite often, I would give them some life lesson that was heavy pressed on my mind. Primarily, I was concerned that they keep their eyes on Jesus and trust in Him as their foundation for faith. We talked a lot about Him and the never-ending love that I had experienced. I wanted to pour everything I could into helping them become whole in pursuing God’s glory above all else. I’m sure there were plenty of times that they wondered why I was so intense or longwinded in what I had to say. Looking back, I hope they will remember the sense of urgency that inspired such efforts to instruct them. As their dad, I knew how easy it could be to get spiritually staggered by struggles and wanted them to find a sure footing in Jesus.
In our passage this week, we see Jesus prior to His betrayal and arrest. He has spoken many things to His disciples before this moment. Everyone is physically tired and emotionally fatigued over all that has happened and been said by Jesus. He knows His time with His friends is short and He also knows how agonizing it will be to face the moment before Him. So what does Jesus do – He asks His disciples to pray that they will not be tempted. Why? Jesus knew how this would be the defining moment for the redemption of all people including these there with Him. He did not want anything to stand in the way for them to experience it and become witnesses to the greatest event in the history of the world. There had been a moment not long ago when Jesus had rebuked Peter for being concerned with human things over the things of God. Jesus’ greatest passion is for God’s glory to be revealed. Even He would be tempted to step back from the will of the Father. But His prayer and His actions reveal that His will is aligned with His Father’s will. And that’s how He wants His followers to pray in the moment – putting the Father’s will above their own while trusting in the character and promises of Almighty God.
It’s still the same for us today. Jesus calls on His followers to trust in Him and the Father’s will for our lives. We still need to pray that we will not “fall” into temptation because only in Jesus will we find the solid ground we need to stand on. The eternal and unshakeable Kingdom of God is greater than any other human thing that might tempt us as a temporary fix in the moment.
Let us look to Jesus for how to pray. We can see that He fell to His knees in order to stand for the will of His Father in the face of betrayal, shame, pain and death. May we remember that God will strengthen us as our flesh is weak. Let us seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness knowing that we can trust in God’s promises to protect and provide for us. May we find our ultimate assurance in prayer with Jesus as the Rescuer of our soul and Ruler of our will. And may we be a church that gives witness of Him in the world to the praise of His glory!
Grateful and hopeful in Christ,
Jon