Scripture: Matthew 26:36–46

‘Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’’ (Vv 40–41)

On the eve of Jesus’ arrest, the disciples are exhausted. Aware that something significant is taking place, they listen but fail to hear all that Jesus is telling them. A Passover meal, a walk to Gethsemane and, despite their best efforts, they fall asleep. Meanwhile, Jesus pours out His heart  to his Father at great mental and emotional cost. He then finds his closest friends asleep when he needs them most. Their failure to grasp the significance of this moment brought a further warning from Jesus. It’s essential we learn to be smart in our pursuit of God. We are evil’s prime targets. Evil demands we live to please ourselves (1 Peter 5:8), whilst God encourages us to live for the greater cause of the wellbeing of all (John 15:12–13).

We don’t intend to make bad choices, yet temptation exercises a strong hold over each one of us. With the best of intentions a diet is easily hijacked by a compulsion to indulge in tasty treats. Once we yield to temptation’s magnetism, one poor judgement easily leads to another and we lose control over our direction of travel. Despite their protestations of faithfulness, under pressure, the disciples all desert Jesus (Mark 14:50). Jesus, now tested to the extreme, returns to prayer. In our most vulnerable moments or when we feel we’ve reached our lowest point, then it’s time to turn to God. We may feel shame but don’t delay. This is when God most longs for us.

Today Consider what are the temptations that crouch at your door seeking to devour you? (Gen. 4:7)

So our Action today. How might you remember to turn to prayer when temptation stalks you? Try turning from the temptation and pursuing God – change location, phone a friend for a chat – and so resist evil.

Prayer: ‘Lord, help me when tempted to resist being dragged away by my own evil desire. Amen’ (James 1:14)