Stay Woke and Pray

On this podcast episode, Yemi and Philia discuss the miracle Jesus performed when he restored a man's severed ear (Luke 23:39-54). In this miracle story, we see Jesus' last moments before he is taken to endure his trial on the way to the crucifixion. Jesus is fervently praying and asking his disciples to keep praying. Despite his warning to pray against temptation, in the commotion of his capture, Peter severs one of the captor's ear and Jesus is able to pause to restore this man's ear. Jesus is able to fix our wrong doings in the midst of his own tribulations. We all fall short of the glory of God and continue to fall into temptation from time to time and our actions may have very real consequences. And when we are facing our consequences, Jesus can fix our mistakes. He can undo the consequences of our individual sins. We do not triumph over evil or temptation alone, we need the grace of God to get us through. Before restoring the severed ear, Jesus told his disciples several times to stay woke and pray. We have to be aware of the pitfalls around us that lead us to fall into temptation. Praying and staying vigilant is the best we can do and even then our human selves may fail. I am grateful for a God whose mercy and grace extends to every area of our lives big and small, when there is good and there is bad, when we succeed and when we fail.