April 24 - Deserted

Matthew 26:47-56

47 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. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, " Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 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. 52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

In the days and moments leading up to the crucifixion, much went on in Jesus' life. This event is one that continues to repeat over and over again, even though Christ has already been arrested, crucified and resurrected.

Every day I find myself in one way or another, betraying Jesus. I screw up at some point, even if it is a small mess up. In the same sense, I am betraying Jesus and deserting him. By sinning against him and being negligent of his word, I find myself setting Christ up for a brutal death again. The sins that I commit and are responsible for are the sins that Christ has died for.

In this passage, I cannot help but put myself in the scene as a bystander. Imagine the hostility and the anxiety of: the disciples, Judas, the crowd, and the men arresting Christ. Notice the one name I left out...Jesus. Christ did not become angry and violent. He did not become distressed. He knew that this was part of his Father plan. He also realized it was his responsibility to carry out this plan in a perfect and holy manner. Christ placed his trust in God and left it in his hands.

Pick the character in the story that best fits how you've been living as of late:

- Judas: betraying Christ and living for yourself in a worldly manner.
- A disciple: willing to fight for Jesus, but will desert him if necessary.
- One of the crowd: Unbeliever or a believer who puts Jesus on the cross for murder through sinful desires.
- Christ: humble and patient...listening only for God's voice and living completely for your Father.

I think in most cases, the majority of Christians would answer with one of the first three...or maybe all of the first three.

Tomorrow is a celebration of the victory over death that Christ demonstrated when he resurrected and escaped the tomb...