Dear Disciple,
(Matthew 26:41)
Your Master spoke one of His most compassionate statements in the midst of His most difficult trial. When He went off by Himself to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked His closest friends (Peter, James, and John) to stay a little way off and “keep watch with me”. This was an important request, and it certainly seems that it would be a rare occasion that the Master called on His servants for such a personal need like this. He needed them – their presence and support.
Unfortunately, the three friends could not manage it, and they fell asleep as their Master and friend agonized in prayer. When He discovered their failure, He offered a gentle rebuke and then said these words:
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
Oh, how kind He was to them, Disciple! As angry and bitter as He could have been in that moment, He offered them wise counsel to encourage them to overcome. Even in His overwhelming distress, He was coaching them to be more than they were and to understand more than they did. He saw into their hearts and saw the desire they had to please and support Him, but He also saw the weakness of their fleshly desires and tendencies. They needed to watch and pray, fixing their eyes and hearts on Father, just as He was doing.
May these words sing over you throughout your day and week, Disciple! May the wisdom and compassion of this profound pronouncement empower and encourage you. If you are prone to think yourself too weak to do what your Master and friend calls you to do, “watch and pray”. Be confident in the presence and power of God’s Spirit. Your willing spirit need not be overruled by your weak flesh! On the other hand, if you consider yourself strong enough in your own determination and conviction, heed well the Master’s warning about the weakness of your flesh. Your willing spirit is not enough on its own. No, you must be empowered and accompanied by the Spirit of your Master to overcome the weakness of your ever-present flesh. Weak or strong, the answer is the same: watch and pray.
Your Father is near you, Disciple, even as He was near His unique Son in the garden. He sends His angels to care for you even as He sent one to care for His beloved Son in the garden (Luke 22:43). He does intend for you to obey Him in the hard things, just as Jesus obeyed in the hardest thing. He will be with you in it all just as He was with His faithful Son. As a disciple of Jesus, you have a willing spirit that has been reborn by the Spirit of God. You also have weak flesh that longs to reassert its control. Above all, you have a passionately loving God who is with you each step of your way so that your reborn spirit can triumph over your flesh. What a grace!
Watching and praying with you,
Ryan
