asthenia: Greek [as-then'-i-ah ] feebleness (of body or mind); by implication malady; moral frailty: - disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness. From where the medical term Myasthenia Gravis has been coined (Myleos: Muscle, Asthenia: Weakness, Gravis: Grave, Fatal)
Human weakness (asthenia) takes on many forms. It ranges from the physical to the emotional or mental. Everyone has some weakness of sorts. That's the dark-side of the moon, which we seldom flaunt. Even great patriarchs in the Bible had human weaknesses. Noah got drunk and lay around naked. Abraham feared for his life and was willing to pimp his wife. Jacob was a schemer. Moses had fits of anger (one cost him his ticket to Canaan). David had a weakness for women, so did his son Solomon who had a harem of 1000 wives. The apostle Paul talks about some 'thorn in the flesh' without being too explicit about it.
Asthenia or Weakness is a handicap we are all born with – everyone without exception. On our spiritual 'high' way, these 'thorns in the flesh' can suddenly deflate our morale leaving us winded - stunned. Peter is one example. From his moral high ground of "willing to die with Jesus", he painfully belly-flopped when he betrayed Jesus on the night of the trial. It left him so wrung out that he returned to his fishing nets. The pain of falling – of failing.
Jesus' command of "Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect" almost evokes a response "ya right!". Did Jesus just raise the bar on an already impossible target? Does He really understand 'weakness' – human weakness? Was He not born without a 'sinful nature'?
The answer is 'Yes', He was born sinless and lived a sinless life (1Peter 2:2, 1Peter 1:19, 1John 1:7, 1John 3:5). Yet, 2Corinthians 5: 21 says "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us." Galatians 3:13 says Jesus became a curse for us. Mathew 8:17 says "He took up our infirmities (asthenia)".
I believe when Jesus touched those hundreds and thousands of afflicted people; He was literally transferring their weakness (asthenia) to Himself and was transferring His power to them. Thus, "He became a sin for us". All the 'asthenia' that He touched and bore on His body, He took with Him to the cross (1Peter 2:24). Here's a small list of human weaknesses:
Human Weaknesses | Temptations which are targeted at our weaknesses(Asthenia) | Resulting in… |
- Evil desires | porn, unclean thoughts, adverts in media, movies, other people's property, material things, comfort, alcohol, drugs, thrills | Adultery, Fornication, Idolatry, Jealousy, Covetousness, Envy, Strife, Possessiveness, Materialism, Theft, Addictions, Abuse |
- Fear, Insecurity, Pride | Intimidation, Provocation, Position, Power, Wealth or Money, Property, Comfort | Anger, Hatred, Enmity, Bitterness, Strife, Witchcraft, Factions, Unforgiveness, Murder, Possessiveness, Violence, Covetousness, Arrogance, Disobedience, Selfishness |
The writer of Hebrews convinces us that though Jesus is God, He shared in our humanity (Hebrews 2:14). He suffered what we suffer (physical, emotional, mental) – Hebrews 4:15. But, He went further than that. He suffered death; the agony of dying (Hebrews 2:9). Then, having made atonement for our sins on the cross, He authored our salvation and added us (who believe in Him) to His family. He became our big brother (Hebrews 2:8-11). Hebrews 4:15 – "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin."
Today, therefore when we struggle with fleshly weaknesses, "He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since He Himself is subject to weakness (asthenia)." says Hebrews 5:2. Jesus knows what it means to suffer temptation and is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18). He also knows we are not infallible. So, He sits at the Father's right hand as our defender. When we fall, He waits for us to come to Him and be sanctified (1John 1:9). Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need".
Today, the Holy Spirit continues Jesus' touch taking away every 'asthenia' – be it body or soul – and transforming the 'sons of thunder' into disciples of love (John). Changing fierce men like Peter (he carried a sword under his belt), into a gentle shepherd feeding God's sheep.
When we are down and out, not knowing how or what to pray, it is the Holy Spirit who helps us in our weakness (asthenia) and intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Romans 8:26).
Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed renewed
Flowing from the grace that I found
In You
Lord I've come to know
The weakness I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
By the power of Your love
- Power of Your Love by Geoff Bullock
