What Jesus Did! 'Keep Alert!' — Mark 14:37-38

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Then [Jesus] returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Couldn't you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
— Mark 14:37-38 NLT

Key Thought

We so often underestimate our own weakness. We know what we want to do and be, but so often we fall far short of that. Our intentions are good, but our follow-through is flawed. Thank God for his grace; we can rely on the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and help us.

Today's Prayer

Father, I know that without the help of your Holy Spirit, I will fall way short of what I want to do and who I want to be. Please strengthen me with your might through your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Couldn't You Watch with Me?
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Then [Jesus] returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Couldn't you watch with me even one hour?""
Prayerful Watchfulness Overcomes Temptation
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Spiritually Muddled
Article by Mike Barres
How clear is your thinking? Mike Barres reminds us that we often confuse our muddled thinking, our inability to decide what to do, not because the decision is difficult, but because we don't want to obey.
Under the Passover Moon
Article by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg
So why did those friends of Jesus fall asleep on him? Lois Tverberg shares from her blog on the Jewishness of Jesus and about why the disciples fell asleep on the night of Jesus' betrayal.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 14:37-38 NLT — "Simon, are you asleep? Couldn't you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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