“Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”” Matthew 26:40-41 NLT
So many things can make us vulnerable to temptation: tiredness, stress, disappointment, anger. Temptation is the promise of relief, pleasure, enlightenment, revenge etc found in things other than God. The reality though, after the initial adrenaline kick and temporary fix, is often shame, guilt and fear. There can be very real and destructive outcomes to giving in to temptation. Jesus understands the power of it, we’re told He was tempted in every way but was without sin, because He was always aware of the threat it posed to His mission, so even at His most troubled and sorrowful, knowing He was about to be arrested, tried and crucified, He stayed alert, His refuge was Father God, His prayer was ‘Your will, not mine!’ As the disciples were confronted by the arrest of Jesus, still half asleep, their feelings of fight or flight kicked in, the temptation to just look after number 1 was too strong, and everything Jesus had taught them escaped them on that occasion. But thank God that wasn’t the end of their story, and I t isn’t for us either! This is a reminder today for us to watch and pray, to stay alert, to recognise our vulnerabilities to temptation, and to stay close to Jesus not run away from Him. Get around some praying people, share your fears and struggles, dispel the shame. Because of Jesus you ARE forgiven, in Him you WILL find strength and peace. The Holy Spirit IS your comforter! Lord, keep me spiritually awake today, to revel in Your love and to find refuge in Your presence. Save me from the time of trial, and from the evil one I pray. Amen 🙌🏼❤️🔥