SCRIPTURE: Luke 22 

KEY POINTS TO PONDER: Earlier in Luke 11:2-4, we read the prayer Jesus gave his disciples to pray, the last line of which reads “Lead us not into temptation.” In Luke 22 the ending of that prayer becomes real and necessary as Jesus is about to be arrested and taken to the cross. Jesus tells his disciples twice (v. 40, 46) to pray that they wouldn’t enter into temptation. It’s as if Jesus was telling them pray to not be overcome by the testing that is about to happen to you. This take on temptation is far beyond the kind which may come when one sees a jar of cookies and wants one. This is a temptation amidst suffering, confusion and the power of darkness (v. 53) to stop trusting in God and his plans. This happens to the disciples in many ways after Jesus’ arrest. As Christians, we need to see that temptation isn’t merely wanting something that will give us a moment’s pleasure but leads to death (such as drunkenness, lust, gluttony, etc.). There is another level of temptation which comes in hardships that says “God isn’t enough for you, and you can’t trust Him. Why not take this into your own hands?” This kind of tempting is that same kind Jesus faced in the desert in Luke 4:1-13. 

CHALLENGING TERMS: In verses 35-38, Jesus tells his disciples to take provisions with them for the days he would be persecuted, even to sell their clothes to get a sword. Some scholars believe that Jesus isn’t talking literally here but merely about spiritual equipping for evil times, 

since later in the chapter he stops the disciples from using swords. Others scholars believe that Jesus was talking literally about all these items, that the disciples should be ready to defend themselves. Both of these views have some merit to them. 

REFLECTION: How have you been tempted to stop trusting God in hard times? How often do you pray against falling into temptation? 

PRAYER: Father, thank you that we can come to you and seek strength to trust you even in evil times. Please protect me and give me strength so that I wouldn’t fall into temptation.