Ambulance or sign?
Soul Snack 92/11 ... Ambulance or sign?
Cares and sadness were so weighty upon these sorrowful disciples as they paused at Gethsemane. A stone's throw away their master wrestled - they slept.
Twice Jesus' gave this crystal command to His disciples:
On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." (v40) "Why are you sleeping? he asked them. Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." (v46) - Lk 22
Previously Jesus had taught these very same men to pray:
... And lead us not into temptation. (Lk 11:4)
Temptation is the aphrodisiac of sin -- Jesus knew this.
So often my prayer life is filtered with pleading for healings, petitions for others and hopefully even praise to the Almighty. But, how often do I pray to be kept from temptation?
Jesus knew the threat of temptation, to Him and He also knows the threat of temptation to me. He already sees where the path of my yielding will lead. He sees the path of destruction that temptation seduces me to walk, even though I won't. He does not want me on this path. He wants me safe.
A wit once wisely jested it is far superior to place a sign at the top of the cliff than place an ambulance at the bottom.
Remember that temptation is not sin, it is merely the first step to sin.
Praying not to fall into temptation is placing the sign at the top of temptation's cliff.
Today's Soul Snippet:
Jesus yearned for me in heaven that is why He came for me on earth.