The Flesh is Weak

The Flesh is Weak

Ephesians 6:10-18

Matthew 26:36-46

While Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane with his closest friends, he withdrew in solitude to pray... while charging his disciples to keep watch. The days ahead would be difficult, and Jesus, sought strength in prayer for the trials to come.

Of course, as Matthew’s Gospel tells us, when Jesus returned, he found Peter, James and John... asleep - NOT once, but three times. And in the process, Jesus said something that has echoed through the ages to us today:

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41

It was more than a simple rebuke; and it is far from an excuse! It’s a warning, an invitation, and a spiritual principle. In these simple words, Jesus managed to capture the reality of our human struggle and offers us the key to overcoming it.

Of course, Jesus’ first word was “watch.”

Jesus wasn’t simply speaking of physical alertness alone. There’s no doubt that He wanted his disciples to literally “stay awake” physically. But Jesus was also calling them (and us) to have a attentive spirit - to be aware (conscious) of the battle raging around us, and within us.

The enemy rarely announces attacks. Temptation doesn’t wear a red suit and carry a pitchfork. Most often (for us modern followers of Christ) temptation comes disguised as comfort, convenience, or even delayed obedience (as we talked about a couple of Sundays ago).

So... to “watch” means to stay spiritually awake; alert. It’s a call that’s repeated time and again in the New Testament. (Luke 21; Mark 13 & 14; Matthew 24 & 26)

+ Are we alert to the drift of our own hearts?

+ Are we noticing when our love for God is growing cold?

+ Are we paying attention to the compromises of faith we’ve allowed?

Jesus knew what was coming (not just for himself, but for his disciples) for Peter, James, and John. He knew their faith would be tested. And in love, He told them to watch.

Of course, Jesus warns us that it’s easy to become distracted by the world. And when the things of this world become more important; more immediate; more pressing than the things of Christ, we could very well become caught unaware! Our faith requires alertness, and discipline to remain vigilant and watchful. In the Garden of Gethsemane - the lack of alertness on the part of the disciplines seems fairly innocuous... I mean, they were sleepy! I mean, we all get physically tired and we need rest. But listen: the disciple’s sleepiness wasn’t the real problem: their problem was their physical need overpowered their desire to obey Christ. He had called, or commanded them, to WATCH. To remain alert!

Then Jesus adds: “Pray.”

Why prayer? Because it connects us to the One who keeps us unto eternal life - and it’s the remedy to our lack of alertness.

When we pray, we confess our weakness, and we invite God’s strength. Prayer is much more than a religious duty; it’s a lifeline. It’s how we stay rooted in grace when everything in us wants to run.

J. I. Packer said, “The prayer of a Christian is NOT an attempt to force God’s hand, but a humble acknowledgment of helplessness and dependence.”

When Jesus said “pray,” He wasn’t handing his disciples a ritual - He was empowering them with the presence and strength of the Living God.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Watch - AND - Pray!

Jesus then speaks to a truth we all know too well:

“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Have you ever had great intentions to seek God, to serve Christ, to resist temptation, to be bold in faith - only to fall short? Of course you have. So have I.

This isn’t a call to shame, it’s a call to humility. Jesus is not surprised by our weakness. In fact, that’s why He came - to bear the weakness of our flesh in His own body and overcome it.

But we must recognize the battle that’s raging in our hearts and souls:

Our spirit may long to obey God.

But our flesh longs for comfort, safety, and self.

The Christian life isn’t about pretending the struggle doesn’t exist - it’s about learning to rely on grace in the middle of the fight.

Of course there’s an important lesson for all of this in this Lesson today that you and I should hear, head... and remember:

Jesus prayed - and He prevailed.

The disciples slept - and they scattered.

That fact alone tells us just how important prayer is to the life of every believer.

But, notice this: even in the Disciples’ failure, Jesus remained faithful.

He went to the cross. He bore their sin. He restored his “weak fleshed” disciples.

So what does this mean for us?

It means when we fail to watch and pray, there is still mercy... love... and grace to meet our need, in and through, Christ.

And if we want to stand firm, we must heed His words.

Today, church, Jesus speaks the same words to us:

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Watch your heart.

Watch your thoughts.

Watch your habits.

Pray with desperation.

Pray with honesty.

Pray with faith.

Don’t trust your flesh. Trust the Savior who knows your weakness - and meets you in it.

May we rise up... not in our own strength, but in the strength that comes from walking closely with Christ—alert, humble, and prayerful.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, we confess our weakness. Our spirit desires You, but our flesh so often betrays us. Help us to watch—to be spiritually alert. Teach us to pray—to cling to You in every moment. And when we fall, remind us of Your grace. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

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