Key Thought

Jesus warns his disciples again about the temptation that is about to engulf them. He does it in "the usual place." This was his place of prayer. Everything about this event is surrealistic, bizarre, and horrifying except one: this was his place of prayer. He had walked with God his entire ministry. Prayer had been his connecting link with his Father in heaven. It was the place where he re-centered his sense of ministry, where he gained strength, where he rejoiced, and where he spoke honestly of his own struggles. So now, at the crucial moment in his life, he is prepared to face this awful test. For Jesus, surrendering to God in prayer wasn't some last minute thing used to dodge this difficult trial. It was an extended conversation, a continuing walk with the Father to whom he has repeatedly submitted his will. Jesus could ask that the Father's will would be done because he had asked it so often before in "the usual place." Do you have a time carved out in your day where you surrender your will to the Father? Do you have "the usual place" where you offer your heart to God? It can be at your computer as you take time each day to draw close to the Father and offer him your heart. It can be in the quiet of the morning ... or the evening ... or even at noon. The important thing is that we have "the usual place" where we meet God and say, "Father ... I want your will, not mine." When we do, we can be sure he hears us, sends his angels to attend to us, and works in our lives to ultimately bring us to his glory.

Today's Prayer

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Father, thank you for meeting me in "the usual place." I submit my will and my life to you, trusting in your gracious promises to me and your glorious future for me. Please give me the courage to follow where you lead me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus left the city (Jerusalem) and went to the Mount of Olives. His followers went with him. (Jesus went there often.) Jesus said to his followers, "Pray for strength against temptation." Then Jesus went about 50 steps away from them. He kneeled down and prayed, "Father, if it is what you want, then let me not have this cup {of suffering}. But do what you want, not what I want." Then an angel from heaven appeared. The angel was sent to help Jesus. Jesus was full of pain; he struggled hard in prayer. Sweat dripped from his face like he was bleeding. When Jesus finished praying, he went to his followers. They were asleep. (Their sadness had made them very tired.) Jesus said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray for strength against temptation." While Jesus was speaking, a group of people came. One of the twelve apostles was leading the group. He was Judas. Judas came close to Jesus so that he could kiss Jesus. But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you using the kiss {of friendship} to give the Son of Man {to his enemies}?" The followers of Jesus were standing there too. They saw what was happening. The followers said to Jesus, "Lord, should we use our swords?" And one of the followers did use his sword. He cut off the right ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus said, "Stop!" Then Jesus touched the servant's ear and healed him. The group that came to arrest Jesus were the leading priests, the older Jewish leaders, and the Jewish soldiers. Jesus said to them, "Why did you come out here with swords and sticks? Do you think I am a criminal? I was with you every day in the temple area. Why didn't you try to arrest me there? But this is your time--the time when darkness (sin) rules."

— Luke 22:39-53 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.