Luke - Pray

Pray

Luke 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives a favorite place of prayer. He takes his disciples with him. It is his time of agony as a human, facing the terrible mocking and beatings and the extreme pain and shame of the cross. Would his companions comfort him in this time of need? What did Jesus ask them to do?

Luke 22:40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

He told them to pray for themselves, not for him. Pray that you enter not into temptation. It was the time of great Spiritual warfare. They needed to pray so that they would not sin and fail their Lord. God would not tempt them, it would be their own vanity, thinking on who would be greatest in the kingdom. They were blind to the great Spiritual battle that was about to happen. Satan would try to destroy their witness. To sin would be to bring dishonor to their Lord.

James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

They were thinking of self glory, not praying for Jesus, and satan put them to sleep. Have you every been in church, thinking on your own things during the service? Soon you become sleepy, satan has taken advantage of the wrong focus. We need to be awake and ready always.