Jesus and "The Test"?

[Jake_Hansen]

I was reading the New American Bible, and noticed that Jesus refers to “the test” multiple times. One example is Luke 22:46 when he says “Get up, and pray that you may not have to undergo the test.” Can anyone please explain what Jesus is meaning by the test?

 

[Gorgias]

Shhhh! Don’t let anyone know, but in order to get into heaven, you have to pass a 100-question, multiple-choice algebra test!

The word that’s being used there in Luke is the same word that’s in the Lord’s Prayer ("lead us not into temptation). The word can be used in either way, either as a ‘temptation’ in a negative sense or a ‘test’ in a positive sense. In a negative sense, it’s being tempted to do the wrong thing, and resisting that temptation. In a positive sense, it’s being asked to do the right thing, and having the resolve to actually succeed.

Jesus is telling the apostles that, if they were tested on Holy Thursday, it would be a difficult test – and therefore, they should pray that they themselves not be asked to undertake such a difficult trial.

Of course, you could go with the ‘algebra test’ thing, too, if you want.

 

[Emily2014]

Shhhh! Don’t let anyone know, but in order to get into heaven, you have to pass a 100-question, multiple-choice algebra test!

The word that’s being used there in Luke is the same word that’s in the Lord’s Prayer ("lead us not into temptation). The word can be used in either way, either as a ‘temptation’ in a negative sense or a ‘test’ in a positive sense. In a negative sense, it’s being tempted to do the wrong thing, and resisting that temptation. In a positive sense, it’s being asked to do the right thing, and having the resolve to actually succeed.

Jesus is telling the apostles that, if they were tested on Holy Thursday, it would be a difficult test – and therefore, they should pray that they themselves not be asked to undertake such a difficult trial.

Of course, you could go with the ‘algebra test’ thing, too, if you want.

Loved this friendly, humorous answer Then thought - Glad you were joking as I’m effectively anumerate!

 

[josh987654321]

I was reading the New American Bible, and noticed that Jesus refers to “the test” multiple times. One example is Luke 22:46 when he says “Get up, and pray that you may not have to undergo the test.” Can anyone please explain what Jesus is meaning by the test?

The ‘test’ He is talking about I believe are the temptations of the Devil (temptation to sin). In other words, I believe He is not saying so much that you may not have to undergo a test (e.g. temptations) for we all have them; but more, that you may not succumb to the temptations of the Devil.
Extract from the book 'Imitation of Christ' by Thomas A Kempis:

Imitation of Christ - copticplace.com/files/imitation_of_Christ.pdf

Resisting Temptation

We should not despair, therefore, when we are tempted, but pray to God the more fervently that He may see fit to help us, for according to the word of Paul, He will make issue with temptation that we may be able to bear it. Let us humble our souls under the hand of God in every trial and temptation for He will save and exalt the humble in spirit.

I believe the following may help -
The Gospel of Luke:

Biblegateway - biblegateway.com/passage…22&version=RSV

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39 And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

"Jesus to Catalina:

The Great Crusade of Mercy - loveandmercy.org/Eng-CM-Reg.pdf

**"Remember and think about the fact that it was at Gethsemane that I have asked them to pray with Me. I did not ask them to do so at Tabor but at Gethsemane, and you should understand why. But if you are not awake, attentive and watching, how can you possibly pray with Me? You are overcome by sleep, and you also will sleep and be assailed by temptation, because you have not accepted My invitation to pray with Me.

“Ah, Peter, Peter! What an example of human frailty you have left to the world that does not yet understand the great misery you suffered then at that time! You were ready to die for Me and [yet] you put yourself before all, demonstrating the pride you were filled with then. “The others, yes,” you said, “but I will not betray you.” And instead, the others did not fall as low as you fell. They were fainthearted but they did not deny Me as openly, as you have done, My Peter. And why was that?

“Because you did not remain with Me praying, so My enemy made you fall by making use of some poor people, but above all because of your failure to be united with Me.

“Peter! Peter of My Heart! Oh, My little and most beloved Peter! Throughout the entire world until the end of time your weakness and My Mercy will be alluded to. But all those who wish to follow Me: reflect on the fact that the triple fall of Peter arose from the vanity that separated him from Me, and which prevented him from praying, because those who believe they need help, do pray, and not those who are vain enough to think themselves strong.

“Remain with Me. Let us pray together, that is, I will pray in you and for you, since that is really the meaning of My request. I assure you that you will be heard and at the same time, you will be protected.”**

I hope this has helped

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

Shhhh! Don’t let anyone know, but in order to get into heaven, you have to pass a 100-question, multiple-choice algebra test!

haha

 

[Neofight]

Shhhh! Don’t let anyone know, but in order to get into heaven, you have to pass a 100-question, multiple-choice algebra test!

This is wonderful news!!! Someone told me it was a Blue Book exam, and I know I stand a better chance with a Scantron!

 

[fred_conty]

I was reading the New American Bible, and noticed that Jesus refers to “the test” multiple times. One example is Luke 22:46 when he says “Get up, and pray that you may not have to undergo the test.” Can anyone please explain what Jesus is meaning by the test?

I believe it means at the hour of our death. That is the moment of finality.

“Hail Mary, …and at the HOUR or our death.”

May the God of hope fill you with every joy.

 

[Gorgias]

I believe it means at the hour of our death. That is the moment of finality.

Interesting… so, you’re suggesting that Jesus is telling the apostles “pray that you will not face death tonight”? That’s an interesting suggestion. Why would Jesus try to intimidate them with something that He knows is not in the works?

 

[Xeyed818]

I thought it had to do with the difference between dying while under the Law vs. dying after knowing Jesus (1Cor 13:12-19).

As if the Law judgment format was a version of the Feather of Truth:

“Maat’s primary role in Egyptian mythology dealt with the weighing of souls (also called the weighing of the heart) that took place in the underworld, Duat.[2] Her feather was the measure that determined whether the souls (considered to reside in the heart) of the departed would reach the paradise of afterlife successfully.”

Saw a cute skit on Christian TV the other day and it’s on YouTube:

youtube.com/watch?v=XrLzYw6ULYw ((The Good-O-Meter))

Either we have Perfect Jesus who walks ahead of us/covers us, or we don’t. At least those are the only two scenarios I’m aware of.

 

[hazcompat]

Martyrdom.

Peace

 

[Gorgias]

Martyrdom.

So, Jesus was telling the apostles, “pray that you won’t be asked to put your life on the line for the faith”? Whatever happened to “your will, not mine”…?

 

[juliamajor]

Simple Easy- Test is temptation… Temptation is always around us so praying to be relieved of it makes sense.
Martyrdom was sought by early Christians…
Death is the end of the test.
After death is when your life is graded. Pray to get an A+.

 

[fred_conty]

Interesting… so, you’re suggesting that Jesus is telling the apostles “pray that you will not face death tonight”? That’s an interesting suggestion. Why would Jesus try to intimidate them with something that He knows is not in the works?

Well no, I don’t mean to say that they will face the final moment that night, but that when the final moment does come that they will be able to undergo it without failure. For of all the trials and tribulations we will undergo, that one particular moment or hour is the one that is the ultimate moment of decision. It all finally comes down to that one moment.

And the Hail Mary which we so often pray, is asking for help at that particular moment which is the last chance we have before our final end is determined…the moment of THE test which will be the last one and will endure forever.

May divine mercy, peace, and love be yours in ever greater measure.

 

[Gorgias]

Well no, I don’t mean to say that they will face the final moment that night, but that when the final moment does come that they will be able to undergo it without failure.

Hmmm… but, if that’s what He meant, wouldn’t it make sense to say “pray that you will pass the test” and not “pray that you may not undergo the test”? After all, each of us will undergo “the final test”; why would He ask them to pray that they not experience something that you say we all experience?

Blessings,
G.

 

[fred_conty]

Hmmm… but, if that’s what He meant, wouldn’t it make sense to say “pray that you will pass the test” and not “pray that you may not undergo the test”? After all, each of us will undergo “the final test”; why would He ask them to pray that they not experience something that you say we all experience?

Blessings,
G.

“undergoing” means something has to be worked out or is being worked out. So to me it means that this test will not be undergone if one is ready…it will be a foregone conclusion.
“undergoing” seems to indicate some sort of sweating it out.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.

 

[PJM]

=Jake Hansen;12534156]I was reading the New American Bible, and noticed that Jesus refers to “the test” multiple times. One example is Luke 22:46 when he says “Get up, and pray that you may not have to undergo the test.” Can anyone please explain what Jesus is meaning by the test?

It means the duplicitousness of Satan… “The father of lies” John 8:44

 

[Gorgias]

It means the duplicitousness of Satan… “The father of lies” John 8:44

Same question that I asked Fred, then: why would Jesus ask the apostles to pray for deliverance from something that He knew wasn’t going to happen?

 

[fred_conty]

Same question that I asked Fred, then: why would Jesus ask the apostles to pray for deliverance from something that He knew wasn’t going to happen?

Why pray for anything if God knows what will happen?

In the old testiment when God identified himself to Moses, he said, “I am who am”.

There is therefore no such thing as foreknowledge in God, from his viewpoint it is only present knowledge. He said “I am…” and every event, choice, is present to him including all “pre” and “post” knowledge of us we might have. Tho I understand this about God, I can not fathom it, because it is beyond my mental capacity to grasp it, just as it is beyond my capacity to fathom heaven or the Trinity. It is beyond our weak intellect to grasp the infinite mind of God to know what he knows since it is knowledge of everything. We have limits which he dosen’t.

But this is beyond the limits of this thread.

May God our Father give you grace and peace.

 

[Gorgias]

Why pray for anything if God knows what will happen?

Right: we don’t know, but God does. But, this is a different sort of circumstance: this is Jesus telling the apostles to pray. The Son of God – who knows what the next 24 hours holds in store – is telling the apostles to pray for something regarding themselves. The question I’m asking isn’t why they should pray, but why Jesus would tell them to pray for something that He knows is not going to befall them…?

There is therefore no such thing as foreknowledge in God, from his viewpoint it is only present knowledge.

Agreed; but, to our perspective, it’s ‘foreknowledge’, and Paul calls it precisely that. So, inasmuch as Jesus shared in that foreknowledge – since He knew what was coming up – how can we make sense of exegesis that has Him telling the apostles to pray for a counterfactual? That just doesn’t make sense to me…

 

[PJM]

=Gorgias;12547190]Same question that I asked Fred, then: why would Jesus ask the apostles to pray for deliverance from something that He knew wasn’t going to happen?

What Jesus asked as a “mortal man” was NOT that He be excised form His Passion. No, what He asked the Apostles to pray for was that He would have the courage and strength to complete the Mission given to Him by the Father.

God Bless,
Patrick

 

[Gorgias]

What Jesus asked as a “mortal man” was NOT that He be excised form His Passion. No, what He asked the Apostles to pray for was that He would have the courage and strength to complete the Mission given to Him by the Father.

Patrick,

This doesn’t seem right, either: Jesus didn’t tell them “pray that I will pass the test,” but rather, “pray that you will not undergo the test.”