Willing Spirit, Weak Body

July 15

Read: Mark 14:32-42

“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - Jesus (v.38)

As followers of Christ, we are “WILLING SPIRITS” that travel in “WEAK BODIES”. This is a sobering truth to admit. As we have been made “new creations” in Christ, we might wonder why we are still tempted at times… or why we fall short… or fail. (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17, Eph. 2:10, Romans 6:4, Gal. 2:20) Sometimes it is just a case of a willing spirit in a weak body. We see this at work here in the disciples as they fall asleep on Jesus while he is praying.

The enemy wants to leverage this fact to defeat us as sons and daughters of God. Everything in this universe that wars against the truth of the Lord wants us to think that the work of Christ was ineffective… and that nothing actually changed with Christ’s death at he cross. In short, we are being made to think that we are still “slaves to sin” and that when we “fall asleep” it is because our spirit and nature has not actually been transformed. (cf. Rom. 6:15-22) This way of thinking defeats the children of God!

Jesus himself, in this very passage, reveals his full humanity. In a sense, we see Jesus with a “weak body and willing spirit”. Jesus tells his disciples that “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” (v.34) He then goes on to declare to the Lord: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (v.36) The looming physical pain of crucifixion and death was heavy upon Jesus. He was “sorrowful” in the deepest parts of who he was. In this moment, Jesus remained PERFECT. He did not lack faith, he did not doubt, he was not lacking trust in the Father or his plan… he was simply acknowledging that his BODILY death was a source of tension and sorrow for him. His spirit declared “your will be done” but his flesh was experiencing the weight of sorrow. Luke describes it this way: “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44) You see his BODY was sweating blood… breaking down… freaking out. Jesus persevered and continued on. I think he knew what it was like to dwell as a “willing spirit” navigating the realities of living in a body that was “weak” and susceptible to fear, sadness, “agony”, and “sweating blood”.

If Jesus can remain perfect while still experiencing this sort of sorrow or anxiety, then the same is true for us. If Jesus declares that a person can have a “willing spirit in a weak body” then it must be true! The enemy wants us to think we “fall asleep” because we do not care or that we feel “sorrow” because we do not have faith / trust. That is simply not the case! The scriptures show us that. A couple other practical observations for today:

Whatever we can do to strengthen our “weak bodies” will make them a better partner for our “willing spirits”. We do not worship these temporary bodies, but we do steward them. The second truth is that the Holy Spirit brings real PHYSICAL strength to weak bodies. (ie. Samson) When we lack the energy to get up, or help out, or pursue those people we should pursue… we can call out to the Holy Spirit and he will always grant power to accomplish what God is calling us to do. (If we are trying to use this strength for things apart from God, that is not the case.) The next time you come home and know you should help your spouse… but you are tired… ask the Spirit for energy. The next time you know you should “work hard for the glory of God” but are so tired on the job… ask the Holy Spirit to empower you. The next time you feel called to read a book to your kids, or help a friend move, or make an effort to go and worship the Lord with other believers… and you feel so tired / weak / zapped that you just want to fall over - ask the Holy Spirit to grant you strength to do it! If it is from the Lord, you will be energized and able. The next time the enemy wants to tell you that your spirit must not be willing because your body fell asleep… all him to buzz off… he is an accuser and liar from the beginning. The next time someone tells you that you must “lack faith” if you are experiencing sadness or fear, point them to Jesus in the garden and be reminded of the way those emotions did not mean Jesus lacked faith … so neither do you! Love you guys. - JDP