Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 18, 2024
Luke 22:39-46
39 Jesus left and made his way to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he arrived, he said to them, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” 41 He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. 42 He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” 43 Then a heavenly angel appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 He was in anguish and prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. 45 When he got up from praying, he went to the disciples. He found them asleep, overcome by grief. 46 He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.”
Good Morning! Happy Lord’s Day
As I look through the fog this morning, I see glimpses of past times. Fog allows our minds to imagine what fills the blurry spaces. I can hear my mom coming into my room and saying, “Why are you just sitting there? We have work to do!” I didn’t understand the urgency of her request, but she knew what was coming and needed us (me) to be prepared.
Jesus knew that hard times were coming for both him and his disciples. He wanted to give them every chance to be ready. They were overcome by the hopelessness of the possibility that everything that Jesus had told them about what was about to happen was true. Despair wears us out physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and sometimes, all we can do is sleep.
Jesus needed them to pray (to prepare) so that they wouldn’t give into temptation. First, they believed that they would be strong, and second, they didn’t have the capacity to understand the lengths to which they would go to save themselves. Desperate times often result in desperate measures. They loved and believed in Jesus with all their hearts, so they were unable to consider that they would deny even knowing him to try to save their own lives.
Like us, they had to learn the hard way as the arrest and crucifixion happened. They were still hovering in fear when Jesus came to find them following His resurrection. The Good News is that despite their weakness, Jesus came and loved them as they were. He didn’t scold them or say, “See, I told you so!” He loved them as he loves us today.
Faithful God, Thank you for creating us. You know what we can’t even imagine. Without you, we would be forever lost. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God knows our needs and cares for us when we are lost.
Jesus Loves Us as we are! Pastor Liz
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