Each stage of life has its own temptations. In school, it was tempting to cheat in order to get better grades. Various forms of entertainment looked good to the eye, but were either a waste of time or dangerous morally. In my work world, I experienced the temptation to get ahead in the corporate world by embellishing my accomplishments so my bosses would be impressed. In my current stage of life, it’s tempting to rely on my own understanding learned through the years instead of God’s wisdom, which seems impractical and unreasonable at times.
Jesus dealt with His own temptation at the beginning of His ministry (Matt. 4:1-11) and again before His crucifixion.
In the upper room with the disciples, Christ had his final meal with His disciples. He instituted the first Lord’s Supper or communion service illustrating His purpose of “giving His life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 26:26-29).
During this first communion instruction, if you were an alert Jew who knew the Scriptures, you would understand that Christ was referring to the New Covenant spoken of in Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 37:26-28). Through His blood that was about to be shed, God provided the means for forgiveness, the fulfilling of the covenants and the blessing to all nations, not just Israel.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked the disciples to watch and pray with Him. His soul was deeply grieved and distressed to the point of death. He found them sleeping after praying, “Let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt” (Matt. 26:36-39).
Jesus said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Unfortunately, Jesus found the disciples sleeping instead of praying two more times before He was betrayed (Matt. 26:40-46).
During tough times in your life, are you sleeping or praying? Are you demonstrating faithfulness in resisting temptation through prayer, or falling away from your faith in Christ? As you reflect on the New Covenant, what additional meaning does the Lord’s final meal known as the Lord’s Supper have for you now? How does the New Covenant impact you?
