Mark 14:38

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 14:38

Jesus and His disciples had finished the final Passover meal before the crucifixion.  They came to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus took three of His disciples into the garden while He went to pray.  The disciples fell asleep three times while Jesus was praying. Mark 14:38 records what He said to them as he found them sleeping the first time. First, He commands them to be prayerfully vigilant in order to avoid temptation. Second, Jesus describes the nature of a Christian. Our conversion transforms us to new creations in Christ Jesus; therefore we have regenerated hearts living in corrupted flesh, causing constant conflict within us.

Paul would later write in Romans 7:15, “For what I will to do, that I do not practice, but what I hate, that I do.”  It is both encouraging and disheartening that Paul struggled. It’s encouraging because the mighty apostle faced the same struggle as us, assuring us that we are not uniquely experiencing the battle within. It’s also disheartening because the battle with our flesh will remain with us this side of heaven. Thankfully, we know that our flesh cannot condemn us and that if we actively and continually choose to be Spiritually minded, we can have peace.

Jeff Mericle