Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26: 41 ESV
 
     The setting was the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus came here to pray as He had many times before, but this time He was agonizing. Only He knew what was going to take place over the next few hours. He was going to experience a mock trial, be denied by one in his closest circle of friends, and others of them would run away. He would endure beatings that would inflict pain so intense that it will take him to the brink of death. He would carry a cross upon his bruised body and flesh torn back, to which he would be nailed. No wonder his sweat became as drops of blood. (Luke 22:44) Jesus spoke to His Father in the garden and asked “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will,” Matt 26:39 ESV . In this difficult time of His life, Jesus prayed to his Father. His Father didn’t respond by taking away the present suffering of His Son; He sent ministering angles. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven strengthening him. Luke 22:43 ESV For this purpose Jesus had come redeeming to himself all who would repent and call upon his name. Redeeming them from sin by paying the price for that sin. There was no other way, and God the Father had sent his Son for this purpose. In doing so God gave us a picture of his love for us and how seriously he views sin. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 ESV ….. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV
 
     Jesus instructed His disciples what to do in times such as this in order not to enter into temptation… Temptation that will cause you to abandon everything you know to be true.
 
1. WATCH Have a keen eye for the lies of Satan. It is in times like these that you could question everything you know to be true. Have you ever thought about what was going through Jesus’s mind when he said, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” ? Matthew 26:39 ESV
 
2. PRAY. What do you do when life becomes so difficult that you are tempted to question everything you know to be true? PRAY! Perhaps you are tempted to run away and hide from the circumstance in your life…..PRAY! Your personal suffering may be greater than you believe anyone understands……PRAY! It is times like these when you may not even know what to pray because you are so overwhelmed; CRY OUT TO JESUS!!!!!!!!!!” The Spirit will intercede for you. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. Romans 8:26 ESV
 
3. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26: 41b ESV Jesus was totally man and yet totally God. When struggling in the garden, he was sent a ministering angel to strengthen him. If Jesus needed a ministering angel, I know for sure we need this even more. We are not made to carry this world’s load by ourselves. When a person attempts to operate in their own strength, THEY WILL FAIL ….NO EXCEPTIONS. Paul said it best when addressing the issues of life. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 ESV  Which, if that be true, then without him you could do nothing of lasting value.
 
     Don’t be caught sleeping in your Christian walk. Be alert and vigilant in your prayer life. “Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV  In closing let me repeat the words of Jesus, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26: 41 ESV
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David