No Desertion

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

NO DESERTION

Mark 14:43-52

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 "Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."  50 Then everyone deserted him and fled. 51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

NIV

This is the rest of the well-known story of the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. It would be good for us to focus on the actions of all those who followed Jesus throughout the years he was teaching and healing people. When the times are good many followed him. We have seen over five thousand sitting all day in the heat listening to him before he feed them all with the fish and loaves. We have seen crowds upon crowds gather every time he went someway. People lined the streets to catch a glimpse of him in such mass that sick woman could but only reach out to touch the helm of his garment, a blind man had to yell at the top of his voice so Jesus would hear him over the deafening sound of the crowd around Jesus. We saw so much happen with so many following after Jesus, but those were the good times, and now things are looking pretty grim. A crowd shows up, one who opposes Jesus and he is taken, captured, seized and arrested. Sure a little excitement from Peter with the ear chopping off thing, but after Jesus calms the situation everyone who was among those who followed him scattered, they deserted him, they did not follow alone with the arresting crowd to see where they were taking Jesus. They just deserted him. We should focus on the good times and the bad times here. It would appear we for the most part are enjoying the goods times now. Sure we have some bumps in life, such as losing a job, losing a loved one, or being sick, very sick, or injured seriously or having a financial set back, or a dozen other things we could say would be bumps in life, but nevertheless we follow Jesus, we surely would not desert him in those tough times, like his followers did back then. In fact, in those tough times our faith turns stronger and we pray even more, seeking the help of Jesus. The reality is that it is easy to follow Jesus in the good times, but it is more difficult to stay the course when things go wrong, horribly wrong. We have seen some turn their backs on Jesus because life delivered them a very hard blow. What we need to learn is to stay the course no matter how life happens, knowing that all things work for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. No desertion.