Tonight is the night. The Last Supper. The prayer in the garden. The betrayal. It all culminates tonight, leading to the crucifixion in the morning. (Most scholars agree that 9AM was the hour Jesus was nailed to the cross, and left hanging until 3PM. Something to think about tomorrow).
What stands out in my study this year is what Jesus tells his disciples in the garden after His excruciating prayer to the Father. Sensing that it is not going to end well, Jesus selflessly shifts his focus back to his disciples. Being the ever-constant Shepherd, he advises them to pray so that they don't fall into temptation (Luke 22:40, 46). I'm curious what kind of temptation he had in mind here. I wonder if the disciples had a clue what he was talking about?
Perhaps the temptation was to take up weapons and fight to the death (Luke 22:50). Perhaps the temptation was to disown Jesus when the going got tough like we see Peter doing (Luke 22:54-62). Whatever temptation Jesus was referring to, it appears the twelve disciples, the best of the best, succumbed to it.
Fast-forward two thousand years. You and I have a tremendous advantage that the disciples didn't have. We know the rest of the story! We know Sunday is coming! With that advantage, you'd think we'd score higher than the disciples here. Nope. We too succumb to temptation over the events of Easter weekend.
The temptation we wrestle with is to doubt. If we're honest with ourselves (and God) we have moments when we doubt the all-sufficient power of the Resurrection. The very fact that we worry indicates this. If we had no doubt of Christ's victory over death, we would live radically different, faith-filled lives!
A second temptation we fall into is wanting to add to the "completeness of the cross." Mistakenly, we think there's something more we can contribute. We think we can earn our own salvation so we try to impress God with our good deeds. No. There's nothing more to add. Jesus meant it when He said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). There's nothing left for you or me to do except believe. That's what makes it a free gift of grace.
May we rest in the finished work of the cross this weekend. May we resist falling into temptation. It truly is finished.
GrantJ
What stands out in my study this year is what Jesus tells his disciples in the garden after His excruciating prayer to the Father. Sensing that it is not going to end well, Jesus selflessly shifts his focus back to his disciples. Being the ever-constant Shepherd, he advises them to pray so that they don't fall into temptation (Luke 22:40, 46). I'm curious what kind of temptation he had in mind here. I wonder if the disciples had a clue what he was talking about?
Perhaps the temptation was to take up weapons and fight to the death (Luke 22:50). Perhaps the temptation was to disown Jesus when the going got tough like we see Peter doing (Luke 22:54-62). Whatever temptation Jesus was referring to, it appears the twelve disciples, the best of the best, succumbed to it.
Fast-forward two thousand years. You and I have a tremendous advantage that the disciples didn't have. We know the rest of the story! We know Sunday is coming! With that advantage, you'd think we'd score higher than the disciples here. Nope. We too succumb to temptation over the events of Easter weekend.
The temptation we wrestle with is to doubt. If we're honest with ourselves (and God) we have moments when we doubt the all-sufficient power of the Resurrection. The very fact that we worry indicates this. If we had no doubt of Christ's victory over death, we would live radically different, faith-filled lives!
A second temptation we fall into is wanting to add to the "completeness of the cross." Mistakenly, we think there's something more we can contribute. We think we can earn our own salvation so we try to impress God with our good deeds. No. There's nothing more to add. Jesus meant it when He said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). There's nothing left for you or me to do except believe. That's what makes it a free gift of grace.
May we rest in the finished work of the cross this weekend. May we resist falling into temptation. It truly is finished.
GrantJ
