Overcoming Temptation – Luke 22:39-46

There’s a pretty good video on the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness by a man who is a member of the Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ (Mormons).  It emphasizes that Jesus overcame temptation by knowing God’s Word.  And I believe that is accurate as far as it goes, but it leaves out the importance of talking to God, prayer, as a means of learning God’s Word and of dealing with personal temptation.  Jesus addresses that to his disciples.

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”  (Luke 22:39-46 ESV)

Jesus’ instruction to his disciples is one he follows himself.  Jesus was tempted in all points just like us, yet without sin.  Prayer was crucial to not entering into the temptation that was presented to him to avoid the cross.  He asks the Father to take away that experience from him if it is the Father’s will.  But instead of saying, “Okay, Son, we’ll skip the cross,” the Father sends an angel to strengthen Jesus.

Jesus continues praying and the intensity of his fear and dread of what is to come is agonizing and stressful to the point of broken blood vessels mingling blood with sweat.  But he rises from prayer determined to go through with God’s plan, only to find his disciples glaringly ignoring his advice to pray.  He challenges them again.  And he challenges us, as well.  Prayer is our mightiest weapon against yielding to temptation.  Talking with God about what we are experiencing and what we want to do, but yielding to His will no matter what, is the empowerment we need to act right.  And it may take a lot of conversation with Him to get there.