Sleeping Through The Battle: Mark 14:37-42
“37) And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38) Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39) Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40) And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41) And 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. 42) Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”” Mark 14:37-42
As Jesus returned three times to find Peter, James and John sleeping. He told Peter to keep watching and praying.
Some Christian circles around the world practice “watchings.” It is fasting from sleep for the purpose of prayer and intercession. In some circles, all night prayer meetings are common and they are often accompanied by extraordinary movings of the Holy Spirit. They fuel vision and ministry.
These are only found in groups devoted to the inner unction of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said to Peter; “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Only the born-again and Spirit filled believer has the capacity to be supernaturally strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
The flesh is weak and powerless when it comes to serving and waiting on God. It quickly comes to the end of “self.” Paul highlighted this contrast in 1 Corinthians 2-3 when he drew a distinction between the spiritual man, the natural man and the carnal Christian.
The disciples being overcome by sleep in Gethsemane is a picture of the futility of carnal ministry. They were sleeping through the greatest spiritual battle in biblical history.
It stands in stark contrast to these same men after Pentecost. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit transformed them into different men. They became mighty in spirit. They became seasoned warriors.
There is nothing in the human flesh that qualifies a man or woman for Christisn service. No matter the intentions, the flesh cannot please God! (Romans 8:5-11) Only the Holy Spirit can give “life” to our moral bodies. (Vs 11)
Burn out is the result of trying to pump out spiritual ministry through the strength of the flesh. It is impossible for the flesh to sustain what God designed the spirit to carry. All such self monuments will eventually crumble and fall.
The remedy is to constantly seek the filling, power and energy of the Holy Spirit. At some point, you will discover your own Gethsemane. Meeting with the Father through His promised Holy Spirit will become a delight for you. It will be transforming!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone
“37) And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38) Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39) Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40) And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41) And 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. 42) Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”” Mark 14:37-42
As Jesus returned three times to find Peter, James and John sleeping. He told Peter to keep watching and praying.
Some Christian circles around the world practice “watchings.” It is fasting from sleep for the purpose of prayer and intercession. In some circles, all night prayer meetings are common and they are often accompanied by extraordinary movings of the Holy Spirit. They fuel vision and ministry.
These are only found in groups devoted to the inner unction of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said to Peter; “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Only the born-again and Spirit filled believer has the capacity to be supernaturally strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
The flesh is weak and powerless when it comes to serving and waiting on God. It quickly comes to the end of “self.” Paul highlighted this contrast in 1 Corinthians 2-3 when he drew a distinction between the spiritual man, the natural man and the carnal Christian.
The disciples being overcome by sleep in Gethsemane is a picture of the futility of carnal ministry. They were sleeping through the greatest spiritual battle in biblical history.
It stands in stark contrast to these same men after Pentecost. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit transformed them into different men. They became mighty in spirit. They became seasoned warriors.
There is nothing in the human flesh that qualifies a man or woman for Christisn service. No matter the intentions, the flesh cannot please God! (Romans 8:5-11) Only the Holy Spirit can give “life” to our moral bodies. (Vs 11)
Burn out is the result of trying to pump out spiritual ministry through the strength of the flesh. It is impossible for the flesh to sustain what God designed the spirit to carry. All such self monuments will eventually crumble and fall.
The remedy is to constantly seek the filling, power and energy of the Holy Spirit. At some point, you will discover your own Gethsemane. Meeting with the Father through His promised Holy Spirit will become a delight for you. It will be transforming!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone
