“Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)
These words spoken to the disciples in the garden hit close to home for all of us. There is a battle that we often wrestle with when our desire to do the right thing clashes with our desire for comfort. The disciples were tired. You can’t blame them. It has been a long day filled with emotion and confusion. Now they are in a quiet warm dark place and Jesus wants them to pray. Soon they are asleep. Jesus awakens them several times but they cannot keep their eyes open. Can you relate?
Sometimes the schedules take over and we are pushing aside the things that are important for the things that are urgent. The worries and cares of this world trump the concerns and callings of the Kingdom of God. Sometimes it’s just hard to keep your eyes open.
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
The physical exhaustion of the disciples represents more than just being tired. I believe that they wanted to stay awake. I am sure that they were committed to Jesus and were “willing” to pray with Him. However, it was more than they could bear. The flesh was “weak”. How embarrassing. How disappointing. How discouraging. “I’m sorry Jesus, I couldn’t do it. I could not stay awake. Please forgive me.”
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Part of our journey to the cross is the realization that we are weak and cannot accomplish even the simplest request. We are tired. It is too much to ask. What can we do?
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jesus gives us the key to overcoming this dilemma. “Watch and pray”. So simple. What can I do when the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak? Watch and pray.
Jesus says, “I know you are tired…watch and pray. I know you are overwhelmed and it seems more than you can bear…but, watch and pray.”