“Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth.
But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”
During the day, he was teaching in the temple, but in the evening he would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives. (Luke 21:34-37)
Jesus never promised an easy life.
Despite all the disciples’ dreams of Jesus throwing down the Roman Empire and setting us his kingdom, Jesus warned them that Jerusalem would be destroyed and that they themselves would be persecuted for his sake.
He also warned them that before he returned in the clouds, there would be many more trials to come. And so he told them to be alert at all times, praying for strength to escape all that would happen.
What I find interesting is that Jesus modeled that for them.
Jesus was facing his own trial. He would soon be crucified for our sins. And so every night he went to the Mount of Olives.
I don’t think he went there to sleep. I think he went there to pray for strength. He could not escape the cross. But he would endure it.
And ultimately, he would escape the grave, rising three days later.
Like Jesus, we are not going to escape all our trials. We’re going to have to go through hard times. And like his disciples, we may have to suffer for Jesus.
You might wonder if you have the strength to get through it.
You don’t. I don’t. We can’t make it through in our own strength.
So let’s follow our Lord’s example and pray for strength. As the Father strengthened Jesus, he will strengthen us. (Luke 22:43)
And though we may face our own crosses, like Jesus, we will find resurrection life.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 