Luke 22:45-46 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” 
 
PERHAPS you have felt, “I have no energy, no strength to pray. I am too overwhelmed.” That seems to be the disciples’ spiritual state. “Exhausted from sorrow” they turned to sleep for rest and even for escape from the turmoil disturbing their hearts. Easier it was to lie down to sleep than to stand and wage the battle.
    Hear this instruction from Proverbs 3:21-26 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. 
    Do you hear the rest that comes in the Lord’s truth? Jesus, of course, knew how Satan would sift and tempt his disciples. As Jesus needed strength from the Father, his disciples needed the same. They had years to live under temptation’s menace. Weariness would often overwhelm them. On many days to come, they would surely be tempted to lie down spiritually exhausted and sleep amid the oppression confronting them.
    As Satan entered the Garden of Eden to destroy God’s perfect creation, he entered the Garden of Gethsemane to abolish God’s plan for a new creation. But unlike Adam, Jesus was wide awake. Christ would not allow the Liar to destroy the Truth. He rebuked his sleeping disciples and commanded them to alertly defend their souls to prepare to proclaim the gospel’s victory.
    Throughout the centuries, though, Jesus’ church has failed to heed his urgent warning. We have fallen asleep too often and for too many years. Satan has had his way. “Why are you sleeping?” church of God? Your Lord wants to know. What will you say to him? The Spirit implores, “Get up so that you will not fall into temptation.” 
    Yes, get up and defend the Lord! Build a legacy of alertness into the next generations. Be active, forceful and faithful against Satan’s tempting sleep. Do not fall into temptation, but keep your purpose in mind. One day the work will be done, and when you lie down (with Jesus), your sleep will be sweet.
 
Prayer: Wake me up, Spirit, to resist evil, to defend God’s knowledge and to declare the truth. In Christ I pray. Amen.  
   
   

Luke 22:43-44 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
 
JESUS has just declared
Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” The Son of God has submitted to the anguished suffering that awaits.
    Bodily torment and spiritual agony will flood through Jesus within hours. Wrenching grief for his people’s sins will pierce his heart while the iron nails pierce his hands. The Living Word will become the words of Psalms 22:6-8 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 “He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
    What is the Suffering Servant to do? How will he face his appointed purpose while confronting the Jews’ scorn?
    Jesus prays, doesn’t he? Just as he has done throughout his ministry, Jesus sought the Father’s wisdom, strength and peace. His words reached heaven, and heaven responded. An angel ministered to the Son. He was strengthened to prepare for the enemy walking toward him.
    His sweat could have been blood. Sometimes blood will rise to the surface of the skin in times of great distress. But it is likely his sweat kept dripping from him as if he were bleeding. A steady stream of anguish poured from Jesus. He considered the torment of the whips, the torture of unquenchable thirst and the burden to take up his cross. Even worse, he felt the heartbreak of his own creation mocking him as “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
    As fully man, Jesus needed the same things we all do. He needed help. He needed strength. He needed assurance. He needed peace. As fully God he intimately knew  his suffering was for the Father’s glory. Deeper than the suffering was the depth of Jesus’ love for the Father and for all mankind. The Lord Jesus spoke to his LORD, the Father, and the Father gently answered him.
    Are you seeking God’s soothing touch amid anguish, anxiety, fear, grief or doubt? Know your Lord Jesus has experienced these emotions to the very depths of his eternal heart. He understands your need. Speak to him. Let him hear from you, and you will hear from heaven.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord God, for hearing my prayers. I pray I listen well to know your soothing, strengthening touch. I pray my heart and soul are at peace with you. Amen.

Luke 22:41-42 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 
 
DO you remember that Jesus taught us some essentials of prayer with these model words: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10)? Do you know he really meant it? The Son of God’s greatest desire was for the Father’s will to be done.
    I know this makes good sense. Relationally, the Son is one of three persons of the Trinity. In such a holy union, he should place the Father’s will uppermost. The Son of God fully knows he has come to fulfill the Holy God’s eternal purpose. Far, far greater is eternity’s purpose than suffering’s severity. Obediently, lovingly, the Son prays, “not my will, but yours be done.” Only when we render unto God full love, will we honor and worship him with a heart prepared to live into such words.
    Yes, Jesus, fully man and fully God, desired the cup of suffering be taken from him. How could the eternal holy Son, who came from glory, experience the brutal cross? What innocent man would go willingly to die for the guilty? Who could take up our sins and carry our sorrow? Why would one fully righteous submit to be seen as cursed, stricken and afflicted by God? (Taken from Isaiah 53:4.) The ugly, mocking trials awaited. The brutal cross had been formed. The nails were forged. Yet, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 
    To yield to temptation was to call on the angels to save him, to return to the upper room or to leave Jerusalem. To obey was to stay in the purpose: “Your will be done.” So he could do the love: John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” and  “For God so loved the world.” (John 3:16a) 
    The Son of God is the will of God come to earth. He is God’s purpose in the flesh, a flesh about to be brutalized. It is God’s will on earth that will create his church on earth. Through its doors the Father will call countless sinners to become saints in his eternal House.
    Jesus’ shows us how, even in anguish, we are to submit to the Father’s eternal will on earth. What change must you make in your life to be more lovingly in God’s will? Diligently pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Listen to the Spirit’s words and soul urgings.
    Prayer is the conversation that takes you to God’s holy will.
 
Prayer: Lord God, not my will but yours be done on earth as it now is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 22:39-40, 45-46 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” … 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
 
WHEN you are in a group Bible study or prayer meeting, you likely have heard, “How can we pray for each other?” Has anyone ever said, “Pray we will not fall into temptation?”
    I’ve never heard that. I’ve never said that. My first thoughts are to pray for friends and family who need prayer for healing or for salvation. I consider my own needs and joys, too. Sometimes we praise God with our prayers. But rarely do we seem to pray, “Lord, keep me from temptation. Deliver me from evil. Keep me from falling into sin.”
    That is what Jesus urged his disciples to pray in the hours and minutes before his arrest. He had told the disciples of Satan’s trials to come. The Lord had also just told them to be prepared for opposition and physical threats. That’s why his urgent command, “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”      Temptation is about to storm the disciples’ hearts and minds. They will watch Jesus arrested. In those threatening moments, these men will be tempted to protect Jesus. Bystanders at his trial, flogging and crucifixion, they will be tempted to deny Jesus, flee Jerusalem or hide fearfully in the upper room. Satan will tempt them to turn from Jesus and count their time with him as wasted. Temptation will cause them to wonder, “What happened? How could the Messiah die?”
    Be alert. Temptations come in many forms. Evil may be tempting you to fall from your faith through physical desires, monetary gain, spiritual complacency, or religious restrictions. Our Lord has taught us to use prayer as a weapon to strike evil before it strikes us. Keep God’s power in front of you. Use it often and faithfully. It does great harm to sleep away your prayer time. One day you will wake up to see temptation has weakened, disrupted or even stolen your relationship with Jesus.
    Finally, note that Jesus didn’t urge or command his disciples to pray for him. He had resisted temptation at the beginning of his ministry. He knew how Satan attacked. He also knew he was in the Father’s eternal hands. His relationship with the Father was stronger than the temptation to abandon the Father’s will That is how we all must be.
 
Prayer: Lord, I pray I will not fall into temptation. I pray, too, for the church, my pastor, my friends and your workers throughout the world they will not fall into temptation. 
     
 
 

Luke 22:35-38 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. 36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” 38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” he replied.
 
HERE is how we can understand Jesus’ urgent words.
    First, as he asked, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” Jesus reminded the disciples of God’s care for them. For three years, generous people have cared for their physical needs. He had also sent them to minister with no money or food. The Lord provided people to support their work.  
    Second, Jesus alerted them to change. “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” The disciples, once welcomed, will be generally rejected among the Jews. Their gospel ministry will face great opposition. They will need money and a bag for personal needs. The sword is more a symbol than a weapon. These vulnerable men must be alert to danger. Jesus does not urge them to attack those who are about to arrest him. But he wants them properly prepared to defend themselves.  
    Third, Jesus tells them why this abrupt change will occur: “It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” Jesus pointed one more to the prophets’ words such as Isaiah 53. Again he taught God’s eternal sovereign will is forming all events. God’s students are about to become God’s apostolic leaders.
    Fourth, the disciples literally respond to Jesus’ directive to get a sword. “See, Lord, here are two swords.” Again, they don’t need the swords now. In fact, when he is arrested, Jesus will tell Peter to put away his sword. Again, the sword is about being alert to opposition the rest of their lives.
    Fifth, Jesus concludes this warning with, “That is enough.” He doesn’t say that two swords are enough. He indicates they have talked enough to one another. It is time to talk to the Father.
    The very essence of Christianity is deliberate, urgent proclamation of the good news. We must be willing to sacrifice, offer grace, lavish love and freely forgive. At times, too, we must defend ourselves from earthly tyranny and evil. And always we are to fight physically and spiritually to resist evil attacks on our faith and our God. Guard yourself against opposition. Arm yourself with God’s gospel.
 
Prayer: Equip me, Father, for the conflicts before me. Arm me with faith, hope and love to do battle for you. Protect your church from those who would do physical harm. Care for the imprisoned. Empower the persecuted. Grant them peace and strength in Jesus’ name. Amen. 
 

Luke 22:33-34 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” 
 
PETER is ready to suffer and die with his Lord if that’s what he must do. But the Lord isn’t ready for him to do so. As we are quick to hold up Peter’s sin – “He denied Christ!” – let’s stop, instead, to consider the Lord’s purposes for Peter’s denial.
    First, Jesus needed Peter to stay alive. What might have happened if impetuous Peter charged into Jesus’ trials before the Pharisees or Pilate? Arrest? Long imprisonment? Execution? Satan’s sifting of Peter was a way the Lord would stop his spontaneous, reactionary disciple from a foolish act. Sometimes a leader needs his top people to wait.
    Second, as we discussed in the previous lesson, Jesus needed Peter to be a living testimony – a rock of faith. Coming through the darkness of denial into Jesus’ glorious light of forgiveness, this man would powerfully preach Jesus’ transforming power. Hear his passion in Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Peter was a preacher who personally knew about sin. He understood repentance. And he faithfully experienced God’s forgiveness (John 21). The denying disciple became an overcoming apostle. Sin did not defeat Peter. God’s gospel empowered him.
    Third, Peter’s victory over sin became an example for the others in their struggles. When we view Peter’s restoration and new life in Jesus’ resurrection, we see how he becomes a model for all Christians. We know he denied Christ. But do we not all find some way to deny our Lord’s instructions? Do we consider his commands but then forget them? We, too, even deny our relationship with him! Is that why we are so eager to point to Peter’s denial? “If Peter did it, I’m not so bad.”
But let’s use Peter as a model of true discipleship. Refer to Peter as “Peter preached Christ.” and affirm Peter’s passion. Do any of us do that? Are we faithful to speak God’s gospel into our friends’ and neighbors’ lives?
    Yes, Peter denied Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus. God permitted both sins. Still, each was responsible for his denying, betraying heart. God then in Jesus’ death graciously made a way for both to return to him. Judas rejected the Lord and died in sin. Peter rejected his sin and lived in the Lord.
    What will you do?
 
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I pray I am eager to speak your gospel with a sure testimony of your love, grace and forgiveness. Amen.

Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
 
THE fellowship at the Passover meal ebbs and flows, doesn’t it? If you’ve been with us these past few lessons, we’ve seen Jesus’ words range from suffering and betrayal to praise and promise. Now Jesus informs Simon (Peter) that Satan has asked God for permission to sift, to test Peter.
    What is our Lord’s intent here? Wouldn’t he want to protect his leader? After all, Satan especially seeks to crush God’s leaders as chaff on the threshing floor. That’s why he tempted Eve and Adam, later Job, even Jesus and now these disciples soon to become powerful, preaching apostles. To what purpose would Jesus permit such a thing? Wouldn’t this have been very hard, discouraging words for Peter and the others?
    Remember Adam’s story – how he failed the sifting. Evil reigned over faith. Recall Job’s story – how he passed the sifting. Faith defeated evil. The Lord raised up Job to become a testimony of faith. Yes, Job wanted to know, “Why, God?” but he eventually understood, “Yes, God.” One of Scripture’s most worshipful lines is Job’s response to seeing God’s holiness: Job 42:6 “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."  He saw his sins against God’s holiness. Humbly, he submitted to the Lord’s sovereign will for his life. The sifting cast doubt from Job’s heart and brought Job closer to God.
    Peter, too, will suffer great spiritual grief. As God did not abandon Job, the Lord will be with Peter. Jesus assured Peter, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.” He did not pray the test would be removed because the test would strengthen Peter’s faith. That why Jesus also said, “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Strengthened and renewed, Peter became a sure testimony to the church and to the other disciples. Then the Lord will turn his heart to know his sin.
    Read Acts 2-4, and you will see how Peter faithfully preached and healed in the name of Jesus. See how he boldly stood before the same authorities who crucified Jesus. Never again would he deny the Christ. Read 1 Peter to know how diligently Peter strengthened and encouraged the new church as they experienced “fiery” trials. Peter knew trial. He knew triumph. He knew God.  
    We may think God is unfair to permit Satan to sift Christians’ faith. But we must trust God in all matters. As we’ll see next, a test can be a way to stop our wrong thinking. It can be a means of redirecting our thoughts from our own will to God’s will. Jesus’ church must withstand evil, so it will triumph in truth. Be faithful to prepare for the trials. Testify of God’s power. Strengthen the church. Prepare the world for his eternal victory.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your grace to save me, your strength to empower me and your love to keep me close to you. Amen.

Luke 22:24-27 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”
 
THERE they are. The Son of God sits with his twelve closest disciples. He tells them of his upcoming suffering and betrayal. The Twelve discuss who the betrayer might be. It seems, though, the Last Supper’s sacrifice focus wore thin. Suddenly, Jesus’ most intimate students wanted to talk about their future kingdom positions.
    Odd, isn’t it? What prompts us to quickly turn from concern for others? What moves us so urgently to our own desires? I’m often struck in a gathering of people how easily we talk of ourselves and how difficult it is for us to listen. Whether in a meeting, a table gathering, a social event, a Bible study or any other gathering, we have little time for others’ words, don’t we?
    Even as we are quiet, we don’t listen. Instead, we form our own opinions and viewpoints, ready to interrupt and speak our piece. We love our own thoughts. Surely they are the truth! Definitely, those are the ideas and points the others must know! Our position in the group depends on our ability to talk and persuade. We look for others’ attention and affirmation.
    The disciples quickly forgot Jesus’ words “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Their future focus is on future greatness, not on Jesus’ suffering for their future service. Indeed, they would be great one day. But in a way much different than they envisioned.
    Jesus breaks into their thoughts to break down their self-desires. When he compares their thoughts to Gentile kings, he is speaking deeply into their cultural bias. Abruptly, their minds would go from, “Am I not worthy of the best position?” to “How could I be as a Gentile?” Their minds’ eyes would see Rome’s dominate rulers such as Pontius Pilate. They would look at the Roman puppet Herod, who beheaded John the Baptist. Their thoughts would likely go to Gentile kings whose iron fists and hearts had ruled Israel for centuries with and no regard for Israel’s God. Jesus knew how to set off a wakeup alarm into his disciples’ minds.
    Then he masterfully guides them into true greatness. They are not to rule but to serve. They are not to receive but to give. They are not to be the guest but to treat others as their guests at the table. They are to model their Master, who has just served them.
    Jesus is a most humble servant King. He reigns above because he served below. He will come in power because he empowered the weak, the sick, the dispossessed and even the sinners. Live as Jesus lived. Humbly seek to be a true servant of the King and his kingdom.
 
Prayer: I pray I live to serve your people, Jesus. Grant my heart and mind more gentleness, love and compassion. Amen.  

Luke 22:23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
 
THE Passover meal has become a very serious matter. As the Good Shepherd’s closest earthly family gathered and ate, he spoke a series of sad, disturbing words. Jesus spoke of being eager to eat the Passover with his disciples “before I suffer” (verse 15). Jesus had committed his “body given for you” (verse 19), offered his “blood poured out for you” (verse 20) and then declared “woe to the man who betrays him” (verse 21). 
    John 13 records what happened next. The disciples then asked, “Lord who is it?” Then Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. “What you are about to do, do quickly,” Jesus told him, 28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. (John 13:25-28) Jesus told of betrayal. The disciples asked, “Who?” Jesus answered with physical actions and clear words. Still, the disciples did not understand. They began to look for an answer “among themselves”. What’s happened here?
    You do understand, don’t you? The disciples are as we are. They seemed to want to know who would betray Jesus. But their concern quickly turned from the Savior to themselves. Did they not believe Jesus? Even more, did each one not trust his own relationship with the Lord? 
    The disciples have been through three turbulent years with the Son of God. They have watched miraculous healings, bodily resurrections, spiritual healing and even natural laws changed with a word from Jesus. Jesus has been vilified and glorified among his people. Still, they were very unsure of what would happen next. As they wondered who would betray Jesus, it seems they are wondering more, “Who am I? Am I capable of such a thing? Should each one, save Judas, have been so sure of his love for the Lord he would have stood to surround and defend Jesus?
    What would you do if your pastor this Sunday said, “One of you will betray Jesus tonight?” Would you question, “Is it I?” unsure your commitment to the Good Shepherd? Or would you stand sure against such a challenge?
    As a Christian, we all face turbulent, transforming times in our faith journey. We see God powerfully act. Also, we wait as he is silent. Sometimes we betray him with our sins. Other times we glorify him with loving and faithful witness.
    As the disciples, we do not know what will happen next. Be aware of temptations to betray Jesus. Steadfastly stand with your Good Shepherd. Proclaim your faith. Trust that his rod and his staff will comfort you (Psalm 23:4b) amid life’s turbulent times.
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray when I consider my relationship with you, I will always stand with you. Amen.

Luke 22:21-22 “But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” 
 
FREE will is a big topic among humanity, isn’t it? We want to believe that we all have an ability to decide for ourselves whatever we wish to do and believe. The world forcefully assaults any idea of influence from outside of self. Sadly, too, even though we pray, “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” the church shudders at the thought that God will direct us to his will, not ours. Do we forget the sovereign God, who willed his Son to the cross, also willed the church into existence? The earth and all that is in it, the church and all we are commanded to do, is no man’s idea!
    Yet, in his sovereign plans for all he created, God has ordained mankind to have a freedom of will to choose how we live. How do we understand God’s sovereign will in relationship to our free will?
    We can begin to answer the question in Genesis 3. God’s will created the world and two beautiful human beings. He willed Adam and Eve into a perfect relationship with one another and with him. Then he gave them several “do this” commands and one “do not” command. In so doing, he also gave to them a mind to willfully choose how they would respond.  
    Then they chose to do the “do not” command. They sinned. Did God then say, “It’s okay. I gave you free will. You’re not responsible for your sin.” No, he judged their sin. He removed them from perfection to the curse of hard toil, pain in childbearing and death.
    The same is true of Judas here. He had a free will to “do” or “do not” Jesus’ teachings. Willfully he chose, as did the first couple, to betray the Word of God. The Lord says he is responsible for his choice: “Woe to the man who betrays him (me).” What you willfully chose leads to cursing or blessing.   
    God’s will is that we will choose many things in our lives. Yet, God sovereignly intercedes into particular lives to dramatically change our minds to: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will Is –  his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
    Think how God’s will changed and empowered Noah, Abraham, Moses, the prophets and the apostles. None of these men woke up one morning to say, “I’m going to do some new amazing thing with God. My will is to build an ark, save people from Egypt, prophesy to sinful Israel and make disciples.”
    God is the Father who sets, encourages and teaches us of himself. He watches over us. When something must happen to correct us, he responds in his righteousness, “This is what we will do.” We must obey. Woe to those who willfully reject the father’s commands and do not repent.
    Yes, free will is good. God has given it to us. Yet freedom creates responsibility and accountability. May your will be to please God that his will be done on earth as it surely is in heaven.
 
Prayer: I pray I am a servant of your will, Father. Amen.