THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 14:37-42
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)
Jesus says this for Himself, as well as for His disciples.
He is watching and praying so that He does not fall in to temptation.
He was sinless by choice, but that took effort and faith on His part.
He was genuinely tempted by Satan, and He was human (flesh) like us.
His spirit was willing, but His flesh was weak… He needed God’s help.
How much more us; we are in the line of Adam, we are sinful flesh.
We have moments like Mary, eager to sacrifice all that we have.
We have moments like Peter, ready to fight, ready to die for our faith.
But it doesn’t take long when we are disappointed, like the religious leaders.
Or distracted by wealth, like Judas.
Or tired, like the disciples… and we turn away.
Thankfully, Jesus resisted Satan in His flesh, as a human, and beat Him.
H is the reason we have hope, even though our flesh is still weak.
We “eat His flesh and drink His blood” symbolically, to claim His victory.
He is the sacrifice of a new covenant, a new relationship with God.
We keep watch in Jesus, we pray in Jesus, we are forgiven and helped through Him.
In the battle of life, which remains fierce, we are able to overcome in Him.
Today, we can “rise” to meet our enemies, with Jesus by our side.
His Spirit is willing and strong, and so is His flesh – and we are strengthened in Him.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, very fitting that as I write this, I am feeling tired and frustrated. I do not have the strength for the enemy today. Not even sure my spirit is willing… May Your Spirit and flesh be strong in me!