Week 1 - Preparation through Prayer
Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Devotion:
“The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” It’s an all-too familiar experience. We have the right intentions, but will our intentions ever bear fruit? The story of Jesus and the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane is one of intense emotion and dissonance. Jesus is bearing the overwhelming weight of his imminent betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, and receival of the wrath of God. On the other hand, the disciples are confused, weary, and deeply disturbed by the words of Jesus from the Last Supper. Upon entering the garden, Jesus first commands his disciples to “remain and watch”. What were they to watch?
It’s hard to imagine the Savior of the world, the One who upholds the universe, the all-sovereign Lord, with his face in the dirt, crying in anguish to God the Father. With Christ on his knees in prayer, the disciples witnessed pure, unwavering surrender to God. Jesus held nothing back. This time of prayer was Christ’s preparation for the cross.
Yet, in this intimate moment between God the Son and God the Father, the disciples fall asleep.
Upon awaking the disciples, Jesus commands them a second time. But this time, he says, “watch and pray”. The disciples first were called to watch the example of their Savior. They were then called to follow his ways. If Jesus prayed in preparation for his darkest hour, so should we.
How does spiritual slumber creep into our lives? It comes when we are physically tired and too busy to make time for God. In the chaos and craziness of life, our spiritual eyes dim and lose sight of our Savior. This week, how can you lean into the Spirit’s leading in your life to “watch and pray”? How can you pause amid the chaos and hold nothing back, offering your all to Jesus? This week, I encourage you to spend time in prayer. Not just prior to a meal or a quick sentence or two to God, but an intentional time set aside to talk to God. It will likely be hard to add this to your week, so what can you take out to make room for prayer?