39 “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:39–41 (ESV)
35 “And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:35–38 (ESV)
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 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 (ESV)
What did Jesus mean when He said to the disciples “Watch and pray?” We must understand this phrase in the original context in order to apply it within our own.
To watch (γρηγορέω; gregoreo) is a present active imperative verb. In other words, it is a command to follow continually and actively by the individual. There can be no excuses. It means to not only be awake but also to be on the alert. This action is to be done with vigilant discipline.
Coupled with this command to watch was the present, middle imperative to pray. The present middle verb format emphasizes the disciples’ personal responsibility and obedience regarding this command. Jesus holds them personally responsible. It is what He commanded them to do. Disciples to pray to the Lord for the strength to resist the temptation (James 4:7).
Realize the disciples were sleeping. They were not watching and they were not praying. They gave themselves over to their physical desire for sleep. Granted, they were tired and they were sorrowful, but so was Jesus and He was facing a far greater trial than any of us could ever imagine.
Why was it so important for the disciples to watch and pray? Why is it so important for disciples of Jesus today to do the same? The two commands remain in force.
Believers in Christ are to watch and pray in order to not enter into temptation. Temptation (πειρασμός; peirasmos) means to be trapped and to experience sin. To enter (εἰσέρχομαι; eiserchomai) means to experience an event or condition. In this context, to enter refers to experiencing a temptation to sin because the individual did not watch and pray.
There are three opponents for the believer in Christ: the world, the flesh and the devil (Eph. 2:1-3). Consequently, there are three areas of temptation: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and pride of life (Gen. 3;1-7; Matt. 4;1-11; Luke 4;1-13; I John 2:15-17).
“Jesus taught His disciples to pray ‘Lead us not into temptation’ (Matt. 6:13), but at the crucial moment they failed to ask God for the strength to stand against Satan’s power, which was superior to theirs, but not to God’s (I Cor. 10:13; Eph. 6:10-12, 18-20),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“A person may be wide awake physically and may still succumb to temptation, but if he remains awake spiritually, that is, if with heart and mind he remains “on the alert” or “watchful,” he will overcome temptation,” states Dr. William Hendriksen.
Complicating this dynamic is the conflict between the spirit and the flesh. We will examine Jesus statement, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak,” next time.
How may you watch and pray so as to not enter into temptation? Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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