Following several years of preaching, teaching, and healing, Jesus’ opponents finally gained the upper hand. Jesus knew that the end of his ministry on earth had come. He gathered the disciples together for one last Passover meal before leaving Jerusalem for a night of prayer. Knowing that death awaited placed Himself in God’s hands.
Luke 22:39-46
He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”[a] 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. 45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”
Questions:
How do the people in the story hear God’s call to them?
How open are they to God’s call?
What might this passage say to our community of faith?