The spirit is willing…
“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 NASB1995
When Jesus spoke these words, He was praying in the Garden of Gesthemane in the hours leading to His betrayal and arrest. Peter, James and John were nearby; the other disciples (with the exception of Judas Iscariot) were a bit further away. Jesus fell prostrate, praying to the Father “if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39)
Jesus had asked three of His closest friends and disciples to be with Him in this time of need, yet when He returned to them, they had all fallen asleep. Knowing that Peter would soon deny Him, Jesus spoke the words in today’s verse in hope that by seeing the struggle his friend and teacher was going through, Peter might be strong enough to not deny Him.
Sadly, the weak flesh won out a second and even a third time before His betrayal and arrest. Even without the help and support of His friends, Jesus endured in what David Guzik called “His battle of prayer and decision”1 until the battle was done — He knew what He must do to bring salvation to mankind.
Our personal battles are trivial compared to what Jesus endured. When we’re faced with temptation, remember the words He spoke — Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation.” Our bodies are weak and we often fall spiritually asleep despite our best attempts to follow the example of Jesus. Keep a close watch for those temptations and use prayer as your shield to avoid giving in to sin!
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, when I consider the grievous pressure and pain Your Son endured on my account, I know that I must praise and thank You for Your gift and His grace. My own resolve is weak and the enemy wants to derail my faith, but in Christ, I can stand firm as I keep watch and pray. May I rejoice at my relationship with You, pray constantly, and always give You thanks and praise. AMEN!
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org.
Guzik, David. The Enduring Word Commentaries.