Temptations of Sorrow (Lu. 22:39-62; Mk. 14:50)

Read Mark 14:50 and Luke 22:39-62.

1.  Jesus instructed the disciples, "Pray that you might not fall into temptation" (Lu.22:40).

2.  Instead of finding the disciples praying to avoid temptation, Jesus finds them "sleeping from sorrow" (Lu. 22:45).

3.  Things for the disciples didn't break down because of the time of prayer or the place of prayer.  Things began to break down because of sorrow.

4.  The temptations of sorrow:

• The temptation to defer counsel (Lu. 22:40, 45).
• The temptation to defend anger (Lu. 22:49-51).
• The temptation to deny truth (Lu. 22:54-62).
• The temptation to desert Jesus (Mk. 14:50).

5.  Sorrow is both disruptive and disorienting.  When sorrow knocks and you answer the door . . .

• You will do things you don't normally do.
• You will say things you don't normally say.
• You will avoid things you don't normally avoid.
• You will go "places" you don't normally go.

6.  It is not wrong to have sorrow, feel it or encounter it; it is wrong to permit sorrow to be an excuse, escape or environment.

• Sorrow affects you; it doesn't have to dominate, define or invalidate you.
• Sorrow is never an excuse for sinful behavior.