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The Road to Golgotha (Part II)

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. (Matthew 26:40-44 ESV)
As we continue our daily bible verse walk to Golgotha through Matthew we find ourselves here. A few points worth noting. First, the three disciples are sleeping, but here Jesus addresses only Peter. Secondly, watching and praying is offered as the solution for Peter's upcoming temptation. Thirdly, it is unclear what the temptation for Peter is - is it lifting the sword or is it the denial to come? Either way, the antidote is the same : pray, pray and pray! Oh, how I need to heed his instruction! Finally, Peter's spirit is in the right place, but it is at war with his flesh. This point is worth remembering as we see Peter succumb later and the Lord's ultimate restoration.

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