The next few chapters are packed full of examples of Jesus fulfilling prophecy and teaching through example.
The item that really stood out to me this week was in verses 36-46. Jesus is praying in the garden and desires His disciples to also pray. He finds them sleeping and exhorts them, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
The first part shows how Jesus was almost surprised at their weakness. He couldn't believe they were unable to watch for even one hour. He then tells them why it is important to watch and pray; it helps us against temptation. James chapter 1 warns us of how temptation comes when we allow fleshly desires to overcome spiritual direction. The disciples were tired, and so was Jesus. Yet Jesus understood the significance of that night in the spiritual realm. The disciples did not.
Jesus then tells them why they failed, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." The Spirit of God wants to do a work with us and through us. He wants us to overcome temptation and overcome the flesh, but we are often weak.
So how do I avoid this situation? How do I allow the Spirit to do His will and be "strong in the flesh." It is important to note that we are not to have a strong flesh, but strong power OVER the flesh.
The Bible talks much on this subject and Paul covers this in several of his letters; especially the one to the Galatians.
Galatians 5:16-18
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."
The key here is a continuous walk and a continuous leading. Daily feeding the Spirit with prayer, fellowship and being in the Word. learning to follow the steps directed by the Spirit. Only then do we have a chance, by the grace of God, to overcome the desires of the flesh.
"Jesus, please teach us to walk in the Spirit. Help us to depend more and more on You each day. Fill us with Your Spirit and help us to surrender all of ourselves to Him. Amen."
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