Sin. It never takes a holiday, never rests, and is persistently with us.

Jesus had an amazing time with His disciples at the Passover, and then went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.  His disciples found a spot to sit down, and Jesus went a bit further to pray alone.  When He came back to check on His team, they were all asleep!

Jesus woke them up, and gave them this reminder:
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
(Matthew 26:41 NIV)

Just before this, the disciples (led by Peter) all vowed their allegiance to Jesus.  Before the next morning, they would all scatter and desert Jesus.  Peter would even deny knowing Him at all.

The Good News of the Gospel is God’s grace and power that supersede the power and penalty of sin.  In Jesus Christ, we can have victory over sin, and live a life that honors God and blesses others.

This victory does not come without a fight.  Jesus gives us two imperatives:

• Watch – to be intentional, and diligent, like a soldier on duty at their assigned post
• Pray – to ask for help, knowing we can’t win this war alone and on our own, asking for God’s power

Blessings to you as each of us learn to watch and pray at a deeper level each day.

~kevin