DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FORSAKEN

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – FORSAKEN

"In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, 'Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.'  But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.  Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled….But Peter followed Him at a distance…."  (Matthew 26:55-56, 58)

Have you ever felt alone and forsaken? Abandoned? Then you know how Jesus must have felt as the guards carried Him away to face trial and His disciples ran away.  Surely His heart must have grieved as those closest to Him hightailed it and fled.

This was not the first time that his followers deserted Him.  There was a time in His ministry when people became offended and followed Him no more.  Nor would it be the last time when He felt abandoned.  As He hung on the cross, He cried out, " 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' "  

The Gospel song puts it this way:  "Alone, yes all alone, Jesus died for me;  Alone, yes all alone, He suffered agony."  When He needed it most, it seemed that both heaven and earth forsook Him.

I can understand the actions of the disciples.  When things got scary, they became afraid and ran away to preserve their own skin.  People still do that today.  When their reputation is threatened because of their faith, they distance themselves from Jesus.  They don't want to put their neck on the line and be associated with God's people.  

Kudos to Peter who, even though he fled from the scene of the arrest, still followed at a distance.  That took guts.  Even though he ended up denying that he was a follower of Jesus, yet he was there.  

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have followed at a distance because of fear of what people will think of me or do to me.  Thanks be to God for His mercy and grace that welcomes me back into His fellowship.    

Love, Dad