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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 18, 2008 Alone |
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Frontline Devotion for Tuesday, March 18, 2008 by Brenda Kessler
Matthew 26:47-56
“While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a
large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the
elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The
one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said,
‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus replied, ‘Friend, do what you came
for.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that,
one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the
servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ‘Put your sword back in its
place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal
more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be
fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’ At that time Jesus said to the
crowd, ‘Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs to
capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not
arrest me. But this has taken place that the writings of the prophets might be
fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted and fled.” (NIV)
After a quick read of today’s scripture lesson one might get the impression that Jesus was all alone. “Then all the disciples deserted and fled.” Notice, however, where Jesus’ focus is in today’s reading. His focus is on fulfilling the scriptures. He is doing what he was born to do. Jesus recognizes that he is not alone. He is at one with the Father.
But what about the disciples who deserted Jesus and fled? At a time when Jesus needed them the most they “deserted and fled.” One might assume it was business as usual for them. One might assume they were with people, perhaps many people. Even though they may have been with people, I suspect they were alone, very alone. They must have felt empty. They had turned their backs on Jesus; they had turned their backs on the Father.
On this Tuesday in Holy Week let us pause to reflect on those times when we have fled from Jesus. Let us pause to reflect on those times when we have deserted Jesus, sometimes in very subtle ways. Let us pause to reflect on those times when we have forgotten that we are not alone. Let us pause to reflect on the Father’s gift to us, when Jesus chose to fulfill the writings of the prophets. It is because of that gift that we will never be alone!
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the obedience of your son, Jesus. Forgive us when we are haughty and self sufficient, when we desert Jesus. Stay with us always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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