Mark 14:37-38 “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Simon,’ he said to Peter, ‘are you sleeping? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’”

Is temptation your friend or your enemy? You know what the right answer is. But is that how it feels? Over thirty years ago a professor presented this scenario to my class: You are visiting the doctor. You are sitting in his waiting room. You know it’s going to be awhile. There are magazines on the table. It happens that the doctor subscribes to Sports Illustrated. On the table is the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. If you are a male, what do you do? Convince yourself that you need to get up-to-date on the latest fashion? Maybe you pick it up and sneak a peak. Maybe you resist. But are you necessarily sad for the opportunity? Does this feel like a hostile attack on your soul, or more like an old friend reminding you, “I’m still here if you need me”?

Let’s say you are at the doctor because he wants to discuss the results of your latest blood test. It turns out you are pre-diabetic. If you are going to avoid taking medications, maybe eventually going on insulin, you need to cut back on the sweets and the carbs. You go back to the office after the visit. Next to the place where you work is a donut shop. Wafting through the air is that sweet smell of donuts in the fryer. Everyday it confronts you when you arrive, and many days it has pulled you all the way in. It will still be calling to you each morning when you get out of your car. Is that disappointing? Or does it feel almost comforting?

At work the first person you run into is “The Jerk.” The two of you have both been working at this company for over five years. Almost every time he opens his mouth you want to punch him. So far you have managed to limit your response to a few sarcastic comments muttered under your breath. But in your mind you play images of giving this guy the tongue-lashing of his life, and occasionally daydream about removing a few of his teeth with your knuckles. Does this make you feel guilty, or strangely satisfied?

Is temptation your friend or your enemy? You know the right answer. But that doesn’t make it easy to resist. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus warned his disciples about its lure and pull.

These three men are caught in an internal tug of war. Which is stronger: love for Jesus or desire for personal comfort? They can see that Jesus is in obvious distress. When ever have they seen him ask for help like this? He sent them on errands and gave them tasks to do. But the man who had healed so many and kept his cool through so many threats and dangers had never hinted he might need assistance himself. No doubt these three were eager to do their part.

But their stomachs were full from the Passover Feast. Jesus’ words at the dinner had been emotionally draining. It was late. It is a chilly night, and they are sitting there while a few yards away Jesus pleads and sobs. Their eyes are heavy. You know that feeling when you are driving late, late at night, and your head bobs, and you drive for stretches when perhaps you didn’t actually sleep, but you have no memory of the last mile you have traveled? “The spirit is willing but the flesh, the body, is weak.”

One of our favorite Lenten hymns begins with Jesus’ story in Gethsemane. “Go to dark Gethsemane, ye that feel the tempter’s pow’r.” It urges us to follow Jesus’ example in the garden. “Turn not from his griefs away; Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.” Jesus pleaded for his Father’s deliverance. Then he submitted to his Father’s will. The disciples caved. Jesus prevailed. Be like Jesus.

There is something better here. Jesus’ own battle in Gethsemane is not just our example. It’s our victory. Our battle with temptation does not begin where Jesus’ battle ends. Ours ends in the garden, too, when your great saving Substitute overcomes. Yes, I know we still wrestle to resist the magnetic pull of one temptation after another. The force feels irresistible. You fall, often. So do I.

But our heavenly Father does not see a beaten sinner pulling himself up from the ground after another loss, ever. He sees a perfect son, a holy daughter, surrounding themselves with the support of Christian friends, praying for his help, and submitting to his will. He sees you in Jesus’ skin embracing the path he wants you to follow.

He sees our many surrenders to sin where Jesus goes next. He seems them painted in deep red, washed in his blood, until he can’t see them anymore. He sees them nailed to Jesus’ cross and buried in his tomb, disposed of forever. And now he doesn’t see them at all, because Jesus embraced his cross, fulfilled his Father’s will, and saved the world.

Jesus has delivered us from temptation even when we fall, and from every other sin as well. Watch and pray, and trust Jesus most of all.