"Watch and Pray so That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation!" Mt. 26:36-41

Maundy Thursday                                                   28-March-2024
Sermon Series: “The Lord’s Prayer In The Light of Christ’s Passion”
Sermon Text: Matthew 26:36-41
Sermon Theme: “Watch and Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation!” I. Beware of the father of Lies and his allies! II. Find Victory In Christ’s Flesh and Blood Alone!

I.N.R.I. The first Passover dawned. Passover lambs, spotless without blemish, year old males, chosen on the tenth day of the first month to be slaughtered at twilight on the fourteenth. Four days a spotless male yearly lamb lived in their courtyards - then shed its blood at their hand rescuing them from God’s judgment. It’s blood painted on their door posts, its flesh roasted eaten to strengthen them to journey from slavery to freedom led by God to the promised land. Year after year, decade after decade, century after century, it was to be repeated.
    Now, nearly a millennia and a half later it would find its fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth. The prophet of the priestly blood of Aaron had washed all the worlds sin upon this innocent Lamb in the Jordan. John witnessed heaven torn open - the Holy Spirit descending and remaining on the Lamb - the Father speaking, “This is My beloved Son, in Him I am well pleased!” A month and a half after John baptized Jesus. The Lamb returns from shouldering our temptations in the wilderness - John crys, John 1:29 .... "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
    Now the Last Passover meal begins. Luke the historian records, Luke 22:15-16 Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; (16) for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." The Passover must be sacrificed for the sins of the sins of the whole world. He will shed His holy precious blood and give up His spotless innocent flesh for every man, woman, child - conceived and born enslaved in Adam’s sin. Satan’s lie enslaves all children of Adam in sin, death, hell, fear, and selfishness. Freedom isn’t found in trying harder for self-improvement. Temptation enslaves. We fail.
    The Last Passover liturgy began, then Jesus breaks from it as He takes up unleavened bread - 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (25) In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." The Lord’s Supper doesn’t replace Passover - it forever fulfills it with our Savior’s flesh and blood. Just as Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He draws near in His Supper to serve. Look only to Him: “Watch and Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation!” I. Beware of the father of Lies and his allies! II. Find Victory In Christ’s Flesh and Blood Alone!
I.   The Last Passover ended. Jesus of Nazareth leads His disciples from the city to a familiar camping spot. History records. (Vs.36-38). He often prayed entire nights. This time was different - He takes His inner group with Him. The burden of our sins crushes Him with deep sorrow. Visibly distressed, He begs Peter, James, and John to stay and watch with Him. They hear His plea. (Vs.39) He has taught them to pray, “Father, Thy will be done!” They don’t understand why He struggles - His sorrow over the cup the Father was giving Him. Their flesh fails - they fall asleep - an hour of prayer was too extreme.
      Their distressed Master wakes them.(vs.40) Bold Peter, ready to die with Jesus - can’t even stay awake one hour keeping watch. We too complain if time with Jesus in His Church goes too long. Learn from Jesus. (Vs41) Watch and pray! Beware of the Tempter! (LSB pg. 324 6th Petition. W.D.T.M? 1st Sentence). God tempts no one - we cannot blame our perversions on God birthing us this way. The Spirit of Truth testifies, James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” Our Holy Creator never tempts us to sin.
        Sin wasn’t part of His very good creation. Where did it originate? The Holy Spirit teaches, 1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. The devil, a rebellious fallen created angel of God, brought evil, sin, and corruption into this once pristine creation by his rebellion. Satan wasn’t content with the place given him - he sought to improve on God’s order and Word. He led our first parents to do the same. Beware of Satan - the father of lies - the murderer from the beginning. He peddles lies and can’t tolerate truth. (LSB pg. 324 6th Petition. W.D.T.M? 1st& 2nd Sentence). If I can’t blame God for my sin, can I just point away from myself and say, “The devil made me do it?” Hear the Truth, James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. (15) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” The devil and the wicked world enlist our fleshly desires enticing us to “have it our way.” Satan knows how to play your desires. He lies that your desire, your sin is more respectable than that person’s. Your flesh loves to let this lie gestate in your heart.
        Satan deceives - lies - whispers - “God isn’t your true loving Father, sustaining you by His Word, Spirit, and good and gracious will. You need more than He provides day by day for your body and life. You aren’t that bad - you don’t need His forgiveness - strike those who wrong you!” We are led into rebellion trusting in our own wisdom and actions to order life according to our will and desires. Satan masquerades as your cheer leader, “you are good enough - God should be happy to have you in heaven.” The fallen sinful world controlled by the chief Liar encourages us, “follow your dark desires” “ Jesus loves everyone.” When the mirror of God’s Law exposes our inner hypocrite the world enrages us to be offended storming off from God.
    Satan then turns prosecuting attorney- ‘Your sin is too shameful, horrendous, perverted to be forgiven by Christ!” “How dare a sinner like you come into the Church!” Beware! The world seeks to trap you with other great shame and vice. Your flesh loves to scratch that itch. Galatians 5:19-21 GW Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, (20) idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, (21) envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I've told you in the past and I'm telling you again that people who do these kinds of things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
    We pray in this petition: “God guard and keep us from being led into these temptations.” As long as you are in this flesh you will feel these temptations, but your baptismal life in Christ fights against them. Father, don’t let me surrender myself to temptation. Keep us! Stay within Christ’s Church! Here alone the Holy Spirit daily and richly forgives!
II.     Suffering Jesus tells His sleepy disciples - Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (LSB pg. 324 6th Petition. W.D.T.M?).
      We are attacked by these things. Satan, the world, and our fallen flesh are unrelenting. No need to attack unbelievers - they are chained -imprisoned - asleep on the way to death, judgment, and hell. Baptized children of the heavenly Father, members of Christ’s Church Militant, alone are engaged in this constant warfare.
      The battle and victory aren’t yours - Jesus says, “Stand still, and see the salvation of God!” Baptized with our sin, shame, guilt He bore it as Satan attacked for Him for 40 days in the wilderness. Jesus watches with the Word of His Father - “It is written!” Now Satan attacks Him in the Garden - “no one Man can shoulder the sins of all humanity - it is too great a burden - it isn’t worth the pain and suffering. They’ll reject you anyway!” Jesus remains steadfast - obedient to the Father’s good and gracious will to save sinners through sacrificing His innocent beloved Son. You don’t face temptations alone - Your Brother is with you: “Hebrews 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. He knows your struggles - the Holy Spirit teaches, Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
    After warning us the history of Israel surrendering to temptation during the Exodus. The Holy Spirit warns, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (13) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.   Beware thinking this means you can handle temptation yourself. Your sinful human ego twists you back inside yourselves - you fall. We pervert the meaning of this passage to say, ‘God will never give you more than you can bear.” Idolize self to stand against temptation. Listen to the rest of the Holy Spirit’s teaching, “1 Corinthians 10:14-16 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (15) I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. (16) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” The Way of escape isn’t your own inner moral strength. It is Jesus - The Way - The Truth - The Life! Sacrificed as your Scapegoat to atone for all your sins. He invites you to His table - eat of His victory - His blood washes away all your sins - forgives - His body strengthens you freed in His Life - gives you what you never deserved - eternal salvation! 1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.” FOR ME! You proclaim as temptations war against you - His body and His blood is given and shed FOR ME!
      Throw all your temptation on Jesus. When the devil, the world, and your fallen flesh get the upper hand and you fall for their deception, false belief, despair, or other great shame and vice - come back to the cross - to Jesus in His Church. The more Satan, your conscience , the world say stay away - Jesus says, “Come unto Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden.” Privately confess crushing sins to your Pastor and hear Jesus speak through him, ‘I forgive you all your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!”
      On the 10th day of Nissan, the crowds rejoiced to choose Jesus - The Lamb of God -crying out “Hosanna!” “Save us Lord!” By the 14th day they cried out for His death! ‘His blood be upon us and our children!” It is our prayer also as we learn from Jesus to pray, “Father, lead us not into temptation! Confessing your sins, hearing the risen Jesus absolving you - you’ll hear the Final Passover invitation: ‘Go in the strength, the peace, and the joy of the Lord, and come soon to receive Christ’s body and blood, and being joined to Him, live toward the work and the beauty He would fulfill in your for Himself and for others. God, you are free!” Amen.