Recently I got myself into a little bit of drama… I mean I had good intentions, but the execution was just horrible. I was in the wrong and I knew it. The guilt ate me alive. I wanted to just shrink up and hide for a month. Then this urge inside me to fight, defend, and blame swept over my thoughts. I was stuck between an extreme flight or fight response, and the truth was- it was completely unnecessary.
In the midst of the situation, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me and ask- what’s your motive? And while it went against every ounce of my flesh, I surrendered and trusted God to carry me through.
Though I won’t lie. I wondered if He would. I mean I knew He would fight for me. But isn’t that when we are the victim of sin and brokenness… not when we created it… and I was amazed to sit back and watch God restore and redeem a situation I thought I had royally screwed up.
I was brought to the Garden of Gethsemane. Where Jesus told his closest friends, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:37-38) Both Mark and Matthew record these words, but in Mark- Jesus is specifically talking to Peter.
Peter- the one whose proclamation of faith would be the rock on which the church would be built. Peter- the one who has been by Jesus’ side through his public ministry. Peter- who Jesus just predicted would betray Him 3 times.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!
Jesus knew. He knew his heart. He knew his weakness. He still chose to pour into him and prepare him, despite the coming temptation and failure.
Peter would give into his flesh and deny Jesus. The guilt would also overwhelm him. All 4 Gospels record Peter’s denial. Three out of four ended the section with, “Peter wept.”
Fresh out of the wound of giving into his flesh, Jesus died and rose from the dead.
AND Jesus forgave Peter, restored their relationship, and gave him purpose (see John 21:15-19).
The desires of the flesh are strong… it’s hard to not give into temptation when your emotions are heightened. BUT we are called to follow Jesus not our emotions.
AS long as we live in this broken world we will struggle with the flesh. We will struggle with sin. Though we are called to resist it, when we mess up God can redeem the situation and work it out for His glory.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8