Thank God For Mercy

The flesh is weak…Mark 14:38

On the night Jesus was betrayed, He celebrated Passover with His twelve closest friends. Leaving the upper room, they sang hymns as they made their way to Gethsemane on Mount of Olives, verses 26 and 32. The closeness of their communion was about to be broken.

Verse 33: And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch, verse 34. When He returned from praying, He found the men asleep, verse 37.

Jesus said to them, “Watch and pray, let you enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak,” verse 38. Having said this to Peter, James, and John, Jesus went a second time to pray. Upon returning, He found them asleep again. Verses 41 & 42: Then He came the third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.’

We are reminded of what we know: indeed, our spirit is willing, but our flesh is weak. Many things are easier said than done. So that, more is said than done. Like them, we fully intend to watch and pray, but our desire is quenched by our ability; our flesh overrides our spirit. 

Thank God Jesus knows this. Jesus knows it is the weakness of our flesh. More than, knowing, He gives us multiple chances to take control of our weakness. For them that night, time ran out. The betrayer had arrived. Thank God, they had the previous three years. Thank God who forgives 7 times 70. For His mercy is new every day!