Thursday, April 2, 2026

           In Luke 22, Jesus gathered His disciples for the Passover meal—what Christians would come to know as the Last Supper.  We know that Peter denied Jesus three times after the meal and before the cross.  Jesus warned His fisherman-turned-disciple that he was vulnerable to Satan’s tactics and temptations.  The Bible says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).  Peter responded to Jesus by insisting that he was ready and willing for anything—come what may—including even prison and death.  Yet, just hours later, Peter folded under pressure and denied even knowing Jesus.  Our mouths often write checks that our actions cannot cash. 
            But before the denials, Jesus issued two more warnings to Peter (and the other disciples).  Jesus said, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation” (Luke 22:40b).  And again, “’Why are you sleeping?’ he asked them. ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation’” (Luke 22:46).  We learn some important lessons about faith and times of testing from Peter and his Maundy Thursday experiences.  First, we should always assume that Satan is working against us.  He is the enemy of God and God’s people in Christ.  The Bible warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  He prowls, roars and seeks to devour.  Vivid language that shows us just how stark, severe and sustained the enemy’s attacks can be.  Each day, we should be mindful of Satan’s schemes and ways.  We do not live in fear of Satan because greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).  But we want to be on watch, on sentry duty, for Satan’s attacks and schemes that are launched against us.  May we be forewarned so we are forearmed for these attacks by the evil one.
            Second, we need to expect times of testing.  NO one has a perfect and battle-free life.  No one!  So, we need to expect times of adversity and testing to come.  We can commit those times to the Lord and trust Him to provide.  We can intensify our prayers and invite others to pray for us too.  We can dig deeper into the Bible for truths and promises to sustain us.  Twice, Jesus commanded His disciples to pray through this time of great testing for Him and them.  If Jesus prayed in His Garden of Gethsemane, then how much more do we need to pray too.  We cannot predict the exact moment when a temptation may come but can be confident that such times will come.
            Third, stay humble during times of temptation.  Do not rely on your strength or wits to sustain you.  Lean into the Lord.  Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”  The armor of God works best when it is put on in totality.  Each day as you wake up you can mentally put the armor of God on your life—from your head to your feet.  Paul emphasized humility in the face of temptation, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12).  We are not to think that we are invulnerable and untouchable enough that we can stand alone.  We need the Lord and the power He has provided to us.
            And fourth, pray diligently and daily in advance.  We can often find ourselves praying only when times of testing have come upon us.  A better strategy is to pray consistently so we are prepared when those times come.  We are smarter and better if we build our faith daily and steadily rather than trying to scramble when a crisis hits.  A doctor studies and prepares to practice medicine rather than running to Google or WebMD for answers when a patient is in crisis.  Likewise, we are to build our faith daily so that we are prepared for temptations, tests and trials when they inevitably come.  Jesus compared this daily faith building to two builders in Matthew 7.  One builder was haphazard and lazy and built his house on the wrong foundation only to see it collapse when the storms came.  But the second builder was much wiser.  Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). 
            On this Maundy Thursday, remember and meditate on the events that are coming into full focus—the Last Supper, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, the arrest of Jesus and Peter’s denials.  The weight of a sin-stained and sin-weary world rested on Jesus.  May we remember the burden Jesus bore for us.  Have a thoughtful and reflective Thursday!  The cross is coming!