Mark 14:37-38
37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
At a time of distress in Jesus' life, the disciples fell asleep. The response of Jesus is instructive for us all: "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (verse 38). We often fall into temptation when we let our guard down. When we know we are under attack, we instinctively guard ourselves for protection. But when things are going well (or at least seem to from our limited perspective), that is when we get lazy, let down our protection, and can find ourselves unprepared to resist. Purity and holiness require discipline. My lazy self would rather be entertained, but spiritual growth requires effort. There is a spiritual war going on, and our purity is one of the targets. We need to be alert, to watch and pray, to be ready for the temptations that will come.
Lord, help me to stay focused and to watch and pray.
37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
At a time of distress in Jesus' life, the disciples fell asleep. The response of Jesus is instructive for us all: "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (verse 38). We often fall into temptation when we let our guard down. When we know we are under attack, we instinctively guard ourselves for protection. But when things are going well (or at least seem to from our limited perspective), that is when we get lazy, let down our protection, and can find ourselves unprepared to resist. Purity and holiness require discipline. My lazy self would rather be entertained, but spiritual growth requires effort. There is a spiritual war going on, and our purity is one of the targets. We need to be alert, to watch and pray, to be ready for the temptations that will come.
Lord, help me to stay focused and to watch and pray.