Tired Men and Open Eyes

In the garden, Jesus finds his disciples asleep and says to Peter, watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. There is no scolding in it, only a clear eyed understanding of how men are made. Jesus knew these men loved him and meant well, and he also knew that good intentions do not keep a tired body awake. The flesh is weak, and he says it plainly, without contempt. Many of our falls happen in exactly this condition, late at night, worn out, defenses down, when the willing spirit has already gone quiet and the weak flesh is running the show. Jesus does not tell them to summon more willpower. He tells them to watch and to pray, to stay alert to the danger and to ask God for what they do not have in themselves. Watching means being honest about your weak hours and refusing to walk into them unguarded. Praying means admitting you cannot do this on your own strength and asking for help before the eyes grow heavy. If you know your own weak hour, name it to God tonight, and make a plan for it while you are still awake enough to make one.