ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
July 25, 2021
Scripture: Luke 22:40
When Jesus reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”
Thought for the Day: One more day on this relatively obscure passage from Luke. When Jesus invites his disciples to pray that they not come into a time of trial, I believe he is implying the opposite to be true. Yet what exactly is the opposite of a time of trial. The Greek word we translate as trial is peirasmon, which could also be translated as temptation or even calamity. If we are praying not to find ourselves in a time of peirasmon, then I would think we would also be praying for the opposite of peirasmon. I can’t say for sure, but I believe its opposite would be peace, joy and a sense of holy purpose. I think praying that we not do certain things is appropriate, but never the end of the prayerful road. We’re not just about not doing things (if that makes sense). We should be for something, always striving toward the better as defined by the life of Jesus. At the end of the day, I do not wish to be defined by what I opposed, but what I embraced and the goodness I achieved.
Prayer: Continue to remind me of what I am for and not simply what I oppose. Merciful God, guide me on the prayerful road of discovery by which I will be reconnected to what you have called me to be. Amen.
