Mark 14:32-42

The Weakness of the Flesh

Despite the constant warnings, they allowed the weakness of their flesh to prevail in dampening the spirit

The flesh does not perceive the spiritual weight of the circumstances at hand

What seemed to be a mundane wrestle with sleepiness was actually a wrestle against the powers of hell (which prevailed over them)

This is what makes spiritual battle so scary -> it’s not as easy to spot as one might think -> causing need for enlightenment (Eph. 1:15-23)!

Both the sufficiency of God and the dangers and nearness of Hell’s attacks are blinded by our flesh

The flesh gets tired, which convinces you that nearly nothing is important -> it lies to make itself more comfortable!

It is no wonder than men love darkness rather than light -> ignorance truly is fleshly, temporary bliss (Jn. 3:19)

The flesh gets scared and worries -> even in the flesh of Jesus (although His flesh did not win as it often does over us)

This is another of those humanizing scriptures about Jesus, and once again He overcomes when the disciples fail

In this we see that Jesus was not robotic in going to the cross, but suffered to a degree we could not comprehend

Not just physically, but spiritually and mentally/emotionally too

While it is impossible for God to fail, we have access to that same power through the Holy Spirit -> there is a strength above ourselves!

You have a choice in the matter!

The Strength of the Spirit

Through the Spirit, we can overcome the flesh

It takes all of our efforts though -> having a willing spirit is not enough on its own

Our spiritual warfare is against ourselves as much as it is against anything else, and warfare is tough (2 Cor. 10:3-6)

It is not that the weakness of the flesh go away, but rather that through the Spirit we can persevere through them

Gradually (over time), the flesh loses power -> we conquer the flesh through starving it from its nourishment (sin)

This is our daily crucifixion!

We see the turmoil in Jesus that is overcome by the Spirit that bid Him to do the Father’s will at His own expense

This same power is made available to us in unity with Christ as we fight in this world that we are strangers in (Jn. 17:15–23)

We have all sufficiency in the Spirit so long as we cleave to it with all diligence!