Scattered

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Mark 14 (click on the link)


KEY VERSE:
"You will all turn away," Jesus told the disciples. "It is written, 'I will strike the shepherd down. Then the sheep will be scattered.'" (Mark 14:27, NIRV)


REFLECTIONS:
Ask any Sunday school student who Judas was in the Bible and you will get the same answer. The Betrayer.  The Deceiver.  The Unfaithful One. The thesaurus even lists a synonym of betray as “play Judas.”  At the end of Mark 14, we see why Judas has been dubbed with these unfortunate monikers.  We see Judas kiss Jesus on the cheek letting the Roman soldiers know that “this is the one” they were to arrest.  No doubt, your heart drops every time you hear this part of the story.  If you’re anything like me, you are outraged that Judas could turn his back on Jesus, delivering him into the hands of the enemy and the fate that is soon to come.

It’s easy to be outraged at Judas’ actions.  Hadn’t he been with Jesus while he healed people from town to town?  Judas was there as the lame were made whole, the blind were made to see, and, yes, even the dead brought back to life.  So we sit back and we wonder how Judas could turn his back on all of this.

But he wasn’t the only one.

Judas’ story is not the only story of betrayal and abandonment in Mark 14.

Jesus announces to the disciples that all of them will abandon him before it is all said and done.  And, after Judas hands Jesus over to the Romans, we see it is true.  Everyone scatters leaving Jesus alone to accept his fate.  No one is left.  Not Peter, Jesus’ right hand man; not John, the disciple whom Jesus loved; not even Mark, the illustrious writer of the events. (In fact, it’s believed by many scholars, that Mark is the poor soul who ended up running away naked, he was in such a hurry to flee.)

It’s easy for us to sit in judgment of all of these men.  We think to ourselves, “You big bunch of cowards! Look at all Jesus had done for you and you all tuck tail and run away? Wasn’t he your friend? With friends like that who needs enemies!”

I like to think that had I been there I would have stood in front of Jesus, saying something creative, such as "If you want him you’ve got to go through me first!” I’d like to think that I would have stood by Jesus’ side no matter what.

And then, reality sets in.

Am I really that different then the disciples?  How often have I turned my back to Jesus? When called to defend my friend Jesus, do I rally to the cause, or do I tuck tail?  If I am honest with myself, I know the truth.  I know there are times in my life I have turned my back on my beloved friend.   Times I’ve gone my own way, leaving Jesus behind.

Lucky for me, I have a friend who waits for me to come back to him, and sometimes, if I’m not fast enough, he comes in search of me. Just as he later does for the disciples, Jesus forgives my abandonment and welcomes me back with open arms. If you’ve turned your back on Jesus, it’s never too late.

Ask Jesus to forgive your abandonment and open your arms, because he’s waiting there to receive you.


POINT OF ACTION:
If you have turned your back on Jesus, ask him now to forgive your abandonment.  Ask him to renew his friendship with you to make it better and stronger than ever.  He’s just waiting to hear from you.


WHO AM I?
I am Amanda Preece, and I'm the most blessed person I know.  I am a mother to four beautiful children and wife to one wonderful man.  My sisters are my best friends and I am surrounded by the best group of family and friends a girl could ask for. I have the best job in the world as the Children’s Minister at PRF. I was also suspiciously born without the homemaking gene most other women seem to have,  but, being the blessed gal I am, I married a man who cooks, clean, does the laundry and even sews (he’s my hero) leaving me to do the things I enjoy!  I am happiest when I am playing board games with my kiddos or immersed in a good book.