Passage Read: Matthew 25-26
Meditation Verses: 26:38-41
Thought
Jesus knew it was time, and He was grieved to the point of death. He could ask His Father for twelve legions of angels to protect Him. He could flee and miss His appointment with torment and death. The anticipation of what was coming was incredibly heavy. He knew He needed to talk with His Father and gain the strength and assurance to do what needed to be done. Our eternal fate was in His hands that night, and He could abandon us if He chose. His disciples had sworn they wouldn't fall away, but if they wanted to succeed in their boast, they too would need to pray for strength and confidence to stand firm. Jesus spent the time and endured His trial. His disciples didn't understand the seriousness of what was about to happen, so their boast was made hollow for their lack of preparation in prayer.
Application
Jesus had the further advantage of knowing when things would happen. That's both a blessing and a curse. Knowing the time increases the anticipation and stress. But knowing the time allows you to spend more time ahead in prayer for preparation. I don't know when things will go from bad to worse. I don't know when my trial will come. I need to continually and regularly seek the Lord for guidance and strength and confidence to endure whatever trial shows up whenever it arrives. I want to pass the test. Passing the test doesn't depend on one moment's zeal, but on serious preparation in prayer beforehand. The more, the better.