DESERTERS

Today's reading: Matthew 26-28

"Tonight all of you will desert me, Jesus told them. For the Scriptures say, God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered." Matthew 26:31 NLT

Let's set the stage...

Jesus and his closest disciples were in Jerusalem mere days before His crucifixion.

Jesus knew the events that would take place over the next few days--that his dearest friends would fall asleep while He prayed, that one of his confidant's would betray Him, that there would be an arrest, a trial, lies and a cruel cross.

And Jesus knew who would stick with Him--and who wouldn't.

He knew which of His twelve, or eleven, would end up being 'deserters'.

Because things didn't end as they thought they should...

Because God's power wasn't manifested in ways they had imagined...

Because fear took over where faith was asked to stand tall...

Because leaving Him was easier than doing the hard things He asked...

Because what they saw didn't line up with what was promised...

Because hope was blurred by circumstances...

Things have not changed over the years, or amid His followers.

We still want what we want from Jesus--

We still have preconceived notions as to how He should act, answer, respond--

We still want our way, and only our way--

We still seek the easy and the comfortable--

We still choose to give in rather than have faith--

We still pray directives instead of His will--

We still have no clue as to who He really is--

I'm asking myself this morning, what might happen in my life, or in my faith walk, that will make me desert Jesus?