Passage of the Day:
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” – Matthew 26:36-46
Reflection:
Prior to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, Jewish religious leaders were trying to find a way to kill Him. However, Jesus’ following had become so great, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were unable to entrap or outsmart Him, Matthew 22:46. In the days known as the Passion Week, Jesus’ knew that God’s plan for His life was about to be fulfilled. Nonetheless, Jesus’ humanity was overcome by the darkness of knowing His fate on a cross. In the middle of the night, Jesus asked the ten disciples with Him to stay and keep watch in prayer. Unfortunately, their tired bodies gave into the temptation to sleep and were not prepared for what was about to happen on that first Good Friday.
Prayerful Action:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God, Romans 8:26-27.
Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:
The placement of the apostle Paul’s words in the above passage points to Jesus’ confession nearly two thousand years ago. The spirit deep inside of you is willing, but the human body is weak. When Paul recounts his own struggles to control his sinful nature in Romans 7:11-25. he recognizes that the Holy Spirit is the only to successfully overcome a weakened body. Therefore, the next time you begin to endure periods of spiritual darkness like Ephesians 6:10-13, put on the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground by praying through the darkness.
Song of the Day:
I stumbled upon the attached song when I was trying to find Christian music for my two oldest boys. May the words of Pray by Manafest inspire you to turn to prayer when experience difficult times in life.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 