City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

³⁸ Then [Jesus] said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:38-41 (NIV)

Reflection

I picked these verses today because of it’s personal meaning for me. I will speak on that part later. For this reflection in regards to Easter, I wanted to focus on the differences of Jesus and Peter.

Jesus knew His mission and what was about to happen. In a couple hours He would be betrayed by a disciple who followed Him for three years. His flesh was weak, not wanting to experience the pains of torture and crucifixion. But His Spirit was willing. Jesus was focused on the will of the Father and did not let His flesh rule over Him. He trusted the Father and lived in obedience to Him.

Peter (and all the other disciples) thought this was like any other night and knew little of what was about to happen. He (together with John and James) was told to watch while Jesus went off and prayed, but soon fell asleep. Yes, the night was long and tiresome, but the flesh was weak. Even though Peter’s Spirit was willing, His weakness won out. I don’t doubt that Peter had every intention to stay awake. Would He have done so if he knew about Jesus’ betrayal? Maybe, maybe not. I’m sure Peter thought about this at some point and probably spoke in length to John Mark regarding this before it was written in his gospel version. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus told Peter that he should have prayed to not fall into temptation(of the flesh), just like Jesus (Luke 22:46). It seems the key ingredient to conquering the weak flesh is prayer.

Application

Verse 41 has an important meaning for me as I had mentioned earlier. During one fast that I did, I had a hard time to focus and instead was letting my tiredness and weakness affect my ability to focus on the reason for the fast. I came across this verse and realized the significance of it. I had a willing spirit to fast, but my flesh was weak. The flesh had control of me and didn’t let me focus on the fast. A weak prayer life, even in a fast, can easily cause you to lose focus and fall into temptation.

Now, how does this tie into Easter?

That I will leave up to you.

Prayer

Father in heaven, help me to seek Your face each and every day. I know that my flesh is weak and my Spirit is willing. Let me pray more and rely on the strength of the Spirit, that same Spirit that stood with Jesus in His trials and sorrows. My weak flesh cannot stand up to the strength found in Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.