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Preparing Ourselves like Jesus Did for Temptation & Testing

The experience of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is a pattern for how we prepare ourselves for temptation and testing.  In Luke 22:39-53 twice Jesus says, Pray that you will not fall into temptation, vv. 40, 46.  The term temptation often refers to testing for the purpose of proving one’s loyalty to the will of God.  So several things emerge in the garden scene we know so well: 

• Both Jesus and the disciples were going to be tested in their commitment to God’s will.
• Jesus stood strong while the disciples failed miserably.
• Jesus prepared Himself spiritually ahead of time while they did not. 

The lesson for us is that we cannot wait until the time of attack to prepare ourselves.  The wisdom and strength to withstand adverse testing cannot be obtained at the last minute but must come through cultivating our relationship with God ahead of time.  The enemy is too subtle and strong for a neglectful Christian.  How do we prepare like Jesus did?
Jesus was alert to evil, the disciples were not.  Jesus went to the garden knowing Judas would come with the authorities to betray him.  The amazing thing is that Jesus had warned the disciples many times about this very thing, Luke 18:31-34.  In Mark’s record of the garden scene three times Jesus told the disciples to “watch,” Mark 14:34, 37, 38.  They had a false sense of safety because Jesus was with them and they knew He always bailed them out of trouble.  Not being alert they did not heed seriously the warning to prepare.  Only prepared believers recognize evil because they are watching for it.
Jesus knew the disciples were weak men, they did not.  Jesus’ warning in the Mark account specifically says, The spirit is willing, but the body is weak, Mark 14:38.  The disciples had actually boasted that they would be up to the challenge, Mark 14:31.  But Jesus knew that temptation often catches us off-guard when we are weak and vulnerable.  And apart from Him we are just that – weak and vulnerable.  Thomas a Kempis in the devotional classic The Imitation of Christ said, All men are frail, but thou shouldst reckon none so frail as thyself.  That is really the only safe approach.  We are weak and must prepare ourselves to be ready spiritually.
            Jesus resorted to prayer, the disciples did not.  When Jesus prayed “Father,” he used the same address he taught us to use, Luke 22:42.  So Jesus prayer in the garden is a pattern for us.  First, we learn that prayer is our source of strength.  While Jesus was praying an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him, v. 43.  We may not expect an angel, but prayer puts us in tune with God who strengthens us for the battle.  Second, prayer humbles us reminding us that God’s will, not our will, is best.  Jesus was human and prayed for the cup of suffering to be taken away, v. 42.  We often pray that way as well.  But He quickly added yet not my will, but yours be done, v. 42.  Jesus knew that suffering and pain are in God’s plan and prayer helped Him accept it.  Prayer is an act of submission.  Submission to God’s will is always the best preparation for defeating temptation because that attitude makes us resolute and determined.    Third, prayer was more urgent for Jesus than other needs.  Note that desire for more sleep kept the disciples from prayer, v. 46.  A good question for us is What regularly keeps us from our appointed times of prayer?  Is it really more essential than our time with God?

~Your friend, preparing to be tested, Pastor Brian (:-})