39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."
While many perhaps think routine to be boring, there is something rather comforting to me regarding it. I find it interesting that routine was a part of Jesus’ life too. In our verses for today we find Him “as usual” on the Mount of Olives. He would routinely retreat to a solitary place where He communed with His Father in prayer. To be sure, Jesus was always about His Father’s work. For the believer, there are certain spiritual disciplines that should be routine in our lives as well – the study of God’s Word and subsequent application of it, prayer, and Scripture memory are just a few “routines” that should be constants in the life of the child of God. Scripture tells us:
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 (NIV)
17 pray continually; 1 Thess 5:17 (NIV)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:11 (NIV)
Our attitudes, as believers in Jesus, should also be of a consistent nature. Learning to discipline our emotions, choosing to keep our feelings in check is a mark of a mature Christian. We are to take a decisive action in “clothing ourselves” with the proper attitudes and attributes – always dressed appropriately for the King’s service. Scripture gives us these following admonitions:
16 Be joyful always; 1 Thess 5:16 (NIV)
18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:18 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14 (NIV)
Ridding ourselves of the attitudes of the old life equips us to “shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life” to our needy world. This allows us to be winsome, compelling and approachable rather than someone others bolt away from. Remember, we are to be leaving behind the “aroma of Christ” when we depart someone’s presence (ouch!):
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Col 3:5-10 (NIV)
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 2 Cor 2:14 (NIV)
In our verses for today, Jesus also commands us to pray against falling into temptation. We are to pray and to be on our guard against falling to the tempter’s wiles. Whatever or whomever incites us to stumble and fall from the path God has ordained for us to follow we must flee from – it is never worth it. We are not to make excuses in our heads and try to justify poor choices when our conscience is clearly shouting “Run!”, “Flee!”, “Don’t go there!” and “Don’t do it!” “It” (whatever “it” is) is not harmless if it is outside of God’s will for your life. We must be careful in not comparing ourselves to others in this either. If God has shown us that it is wrong for us, it is wrong for us – no matter if it is acceptable for someone else. We must keep our beady little eyes on our own paths – not on others! The conscience is a wonderful gift from God – we are not to try and shrink it or become dull to its leading – it is there for our good.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Eph 6:10-18 (NIV)