“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38
Though they tried, the disciples could not stay awake. Watchfulness succumbed to fatigue. Exhaustion overcame good intentions. Flesh overpowered will. I can’t help but wonder whether, had they perceived their master’s anguish, had they realized they would soon be facing the greatest trial of their lives, they would have strived harder to watch and pray. But they didn’t know. Despite Jesus’ words, Peter, James, and John viewed this betrayal as just another night in the company of their master.
If we go back to chapter 13 of Mark, we note how often Jesus urged His disciples to practice watchfulness. Again and again, he admonishes His followers to “be on your guard,” and “stay awake.” This is a constant challenge for those who wish to follow Jesus, a continual resolve not to let down our guard for a single moment for we do not know what might lie just around the bend.
Our struggle is not so much with volition as our perception of our weaknesses. “We know what we want to do and be, but so often we fall short of that. Our intentions are good but our follow-through is flawed” (Heartlight.org).
Thankfully, we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). By His grace, He pours out His Spirit upon us to help us when the flesh disappoints.
So keep watch. Pray. And ask the Spirit to strengthen you moment by moment, and day by day.
Prayer: Lord, we are mindful that we are but flesh. We have no strength in and of ourselves, save through you. Pour out your Spirit upon our hearts and minds that we might not enter into temptation. In your name we pray, Amen.