And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’”
Matthew 26:40–41
We see earlier, in verses 36–38, Jesus entering the garden with the eleven disciples. He says to eight, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” He then takes Peter, James, and John with Him and tells them to “remain here and watch with me.” Jesus goes a bit farther and begins His travail.
When Jesus finishes, He comes to the three—Peter, James, and John—and finds them sleeping for sorrow. Luke 22:45.
We learn two things from this scenario.
Watching and praying is the method of deliverance from temptation, while sleeping seems to be the natural pathway to escape sorrow.
HELPS Word Studies:
Watching ~ 1127 grēgoreúō – literally, “stay awake”; (figuratively) be vigilant (responsible, watchful).
Sorrow ~ 3077 lýpē – properly, distress, vexation; (figuratively) physical or emotional pain; heavy heart-sorrow (grief) that brings a person down.
Temptations occur at our weakest moments. Our flesh desires ease, and without a lifestyle where we are attentive, alert, and praying, we will succumb. Galatians 5:17 reminds us that the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit. Paul wrote in Romans 7:18 of his awareness that in his flesh nothing good dwells. An awareness of the strength that lies in the flesh reminds us of our need for empowerment from God.
Prayer is the divine lifeline to our Father and the source of all strength. It is the vital union we maintain that enables us to be filled with the Spirit, so that we are stronger within than without. His strength is perfected in our weaknesses.
The Father, knowing what we have need of before we ask, goes before us and prepares us for every eventuality we face. We do not have to be caught off guard.
It is watchful prayer that engages with the Holy One, who will show us things to come. He offers sufficient grace to strengthen our weaknesses and makes the way of escape.
This Last Supper paints a very vivid picture of our Father’s heart for preparation. Jesus is leaving. The cross is before Him. He is preparing these men for His departure. “You will all fall away because of me this night.” Peter is adamant: “I will never fall away.” Jesus says to him that very night, before the rooster crows, he will deny Jesus three times. Peter’s response is, “I will not!” Matthew 26:30–35.
I’m struck here by the reminder that He is the Spirit of Truth. If we will hear the hard things, we can be prepared and endure hard things. It is the propensity to believe that a loving Father would not want us to suffer hardship that causes us to stumble. Yet, we all know that without pressure, no one grows. The Spirit is willing; the flesh is weak.
We see this in the life of Peter. Failing to pray left him facing the “sifting” process that caused him to deny Jesus.
Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The Spirit is willing. The flesh is weak.
The hour is at hand. Temptation comes. Hopefully, we have wrestled our will into submission, and there is nothing in us that can cause us to deny our Lord.
Our shield against all the fiery darts of the evil one is simple, but profound:
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”