Central Truth

When Jesus was about to face the greatest challenge of His life, He paused in the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and to invite his closest friends to join Him.

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Reflections

Jesus, feeling the weight of what was soon to come, had the strong urge simply to speak with God in prayer. He took that moment in the Garden of Gethsemane and invited three of the disciples to join Him. I love the simplicity of Jesus' request to Peter, James, and John—no instructions, simply "remain here and keep watch with Me." (v. 38) So naturally, Jesus was a little frustrated when He returned to find all three of them asleep. Clearly, there was a disconnect between Jesus and the disciples, so He clarified His meaning: "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation." (v. 41, emphasis added)

Jesus saw an opportunity and dropped a "teachable moment" on these guys.

Jesus' Math Lesson #1: Praying = Keeping Watch

Better still, praying helps us to avoid temptation, providing a way of escape. (See also 1 Corinthians 10:13)

Jesus' Math Lesson #2:  Praying > Temptation

Though the disciples failed to see the urgency in Jesus' request for prayer, there is a model of community in this passage. Jesus, the Son of God, wanted others to pray with and for Him. He wanted to share the anguish He was feeling. I imagine He felt very alone in that garden with His closest friends sleeping nearby. Yet, in the midst of that dark moment Jesus simply prayed three times the same prayer and submitted Himself to the will of the Father. Jesus had to have been just as tired as the disciples, but He was committed to keeping watch, praying, and seeking the will of the Father.

Lord, help me live a life of vigilance and prayer so that I might avoid temptations and see clearly what You have in store for me! Help me to prioritize my life in such a way that I "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and that I follow through when I commit to pray for a friend.

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Discussion Questions

1. When was the last time that you took an extended amount of time to pray and to seek God's will for your life?

2. Are there people in your life who have asked you to pray for them, but you've not yet done so? Take some time right now to pray for them.

3. Are you in need of prayer? Invite others to join with you.

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Who was Jesus talking to in verse 39?

2. What did He mean by, “I want your will, not mine?”

3. Jesus could say this because He trusted that His Father knows best. Do you trust God to do what is best the way Jesus trusted the Father?

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