I wonder if Jesus purchase prednisone ever felt like the “crazy uncle”.

In Luke 22, sandwiched between Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s denial to even knowing Him and Peter’s flawless execution of that prophecy, we find Jesus on the Mount of Olives encouraging

his disciples to pray that they would not enter into temptation. Here’s the passage:

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-46)

So what temptation was Jesus encouraging them to pray against entering into? There is certainly cause to take his literal words “temptation” and say he is simply encouraging them to pray against entering temptation in general and the myriads of ways it can manifest itself. One might also reasonably deduct that Jesus sees their present temptation towards a slothful, uncaring heart right there in the garden as

He enters His agony and wants them to pray against that immediate temptation.

But, this week, as I was considering the surrounding context of Jesus’ prophecy to Peter along with the impending fallout of His betrayal, arrest, and persecution, I felt the weight of the possibility that Jesus wanted them to pray that they would not enter into the temptation of denying Him. Indeed I think that is what was foremost on His mind when he cheap Zoloft pleads with them to “Wake up!” and pray. He knows what’s coming.

Do you remember what the Bible says happens when the shepherd is struck down? That’s right…the sheep scatter (Zechariah 13:7). And boy did they scatter that night. Sure Peter gave one swing of the sword, not understanding the hour or Christ’s purpose, purchase Prozac but then he was off and in full denial mode the rest of the night. And of course Peter gets the worst rap for those blatant lies, but tell me, do you read of any testimonies of the faithful followers who barged into the late night proceedings to give a defense for Christ, that He had done nothing wrong, that these accusations were all lies? NONE…even though they had been with Him night and day and would have known best what He did and said. Yet, the other disciples chose a more passive denial and just left or maybe watched from a distance.

How easy it is at times to comfort ourselves with Peter at times, saying in our heads, “Well at least I haven’t denied being a believer in Jesus to anyone who has asked”, while we passively deny Him all day long by not sharing with others what He’s done in our lives when the Spirit prods us. I want to take that ease away…put that proverbial pebble back into our shoes. I don’t want to actively or passively deny Christ. He deserves so much more.

…after all, He’s not my crazy uncle.