Day 107

Luke 22:39–53 (NIV)

³⁹ Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” ⁴¹ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴ And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

⁴⁵ When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, ⁴⁸ but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

⁴⁹ When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” ⁵⁰ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. ⁵¹ But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? ⁵³ Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What do we learn about Jesus in His prayer in 42? What do we learn about how to pray?

Compare Judas and the words to the disciples in 40. Where did Judas fail? What caused it?

How is Jesus tempted in this section? What do we learn about how to withstand temptation from Him?

Notes

vs 40- The usual evening is not going to be the same. Jesus, based on His last conversation about withstanding Satan, repeats the need to be focused on God and not fall into temptation.

vs 41- ever wonder why kneeling and prayer are put together? Here is why. Most people in prayer in that day would stand and pray (see 18:11-12). Jesus kneels. Why? Could be He is overcome with anguish (see vs 44) Could be showing physical humility before God the Father, (your will, not mine).

vs 42- Jesus is very clear about His prayer. He doesn't want to face what is coming but He is just as clear that it is the Father's decision. This is a good model for us. Pray for what you desire understanding it is God's plan that must be the center of the prayer. This verse gives an understanding to what it means to ask things of God (11:9-10)

The cup idea probably echoes the Lord's supper cup, Jesus' life being given.

vs 43- The angel comforts- while God says no to the request He does give Jesus comfort to face the trial.

vs 44- shows the weight of what Jesus' faces.

vs 45-46 the disciples are worn out. The intensity of the week has gotten to them. They are spiritually and physically exhausted from the realization of what is going to happen to Jesus.

Interesting while Jesus is praying His focus is also on the needs of the disciples. It also shows Jesus reminding the disciples of their battle that they face as Jesus faces His own battle.

vs 47-48 the focus is not on the crowd but on the betrayer. It is almost as if there is a lesson here on what can happen when you don't pray not to fall into temptation. Remember Luke stated it as Satan has entered Judas (22:3). Judas has not followed Jesus' words about prayer.

The ultimate betrayal is with a kiss. It is the opposite of what a disciple is suppose to do with a kiss. (7:38)

vs 49-51 - to do completely away with the idea that Jesus was to start a rebellion against Rome and the Jewish leaders we see this part of the story. Remember earlier in the night Jesus had talked about making sure you had a sword. The disciples took it literally (22:36, 38). Jesus meant it spiritually as can be seen when the chance to use force to bring the Kingdom of God comes. Jesus rebukes the disciple (Peter we learn in John 18:10) Jesus is not about a kingdom on this world's terms (that was one of Satan's first temptations of Jesus 4:5-7). Jesus was about an everlasting Kingdom. A kingdom not built on this world's standards (12:32-34) A kingdom given by the Father (22:29-30)

It is interesting that the last person Jesus heals is one who is an enemy. It brings Jesus' words about loving your enemy (6:35) to life.

vs 52-53 While Jesus shows mercy in the healing it does not stop Him from confronting the evil that has surrounded Him. While they (and Satan) may have their hour of reigning, it will not last. They work in darkness because they are scared of the light (John 1:4-5) They come with power of the world but they cannot stop the work of God!