Thoughts for the Day

Jesus .. went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus replied, ‘I am he.’ Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, ‘I am he’, they stepped back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus answered ‘I told you that I am he......

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

John's account of Jesus' arrest, trial, death and burial after the Last Supper covers two chapters (see John Chapters 18 and 19), and I have only highlighted a couple of incidents in the scripture reading rather than look at the actual crucifixion. By the end of the passage we see Jesus rejected and left alone, with only two disciples (Peter and the 'beloved disciple') attempting to discover what is happening. The others have fled, and he is left in the hands of his enemies.

We have all been rejected or lonely at some point in our life. Anyone who has gone through separation or divorce will know the feeling of rejection and isolation; but illness can also leave us feeling lonely and afraid; and those months when we had to self isolate during the covid crisis meant many felt lonely and scared.

But the sheer magnitude of the rejection of Jesus is almost impossible to appreciate. Judas and Peter have been his disciples for over three years, they have been with him as he preached and taught throughout the whole area. They have seen how he healed the sick and rescued the lost. Indeed, Peter proclaimed him the "Son of God". Yet both have turned their back on Jesus, Judas for thirty pieces of silver, and Peter out of fear. The other disciples but one, seem to have fled in terror. Jesus is alone in the hands of his persecutors knowing that they mean to kill him by crucifixion, one of the most terrible of deaths.

When we feel rejected, or isolated and lonely we need to remember that we worship a God who has suffered and died for us. He understands our pain and is with us at the absolute worst point of our life, but He will bring us through safe at the last!

Lord Jesus,
enable us to understand the magnitude of
what You have done for us;
to know that You took our pain upon Yourself,
so that we might live in unity with You;
and enable us to believe that no matter
how bad things are today or in the future
You are there with us
and that You understand our suffering,
and will bring us home safe at last.
Amen.