Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Luke 22:46

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From the Word: …and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise up! Pray, that you do not enter into a state of temptation.”  (Luke 22:46)

From the ConfessionsThe Large Catechism, The Ten Commandments

The Fourth Commandment

Honor your father and your mother, (that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.)

If, therefore, you will not obey father and mother and submit to their discipline, then obey the hangman. If you will not obey him, then submit to the reaper, death. For on this God insists emphatically. If you obey him, rendering love and service, he will reward you abundantly with all good. If you offend him, he will send upon you both the hangman and death.

Why are so many lawbreakers hanged each day, or beheaded, or broken upon the wheel, if not because of disobedience? Since they will not submit to a kind upbringing, they bring upon themselves the disastrous and grievous punishment of God that we behold. It seldom happens that such wicked people die a natural or timely death.

Pulling It Together: Looming heartbreak had brought the disciples to the point of collapse, and so naturally, they were dead to the world when Jesus returned to them. We think poorly of the disciples because, instead of praying as Jesus asked, they were sleeping. Yet, consider Judas; at least Peter and the other disciples were with Jesus. Judas had gone for the executioners. One has to wonder how Judas was raised—and if he honored his mother and father.

Prayer: Lead me out of temptation, Lord. Amen.

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