Day Eight

Take some time to set your heart towards God today. Acknowledge His presence and commitment to reveal himself to you.

In the Old Testament, a redeemer was one who could pay your debts and free you from the tyranny of wealthy landowners to whom you were enslaved. In the same way, Jesus has redeemed you from Satan's tyranny and the darkness of his kingdom.

In light of this, offer a prayer from Psalm 19:14 to the Lord, meditating on what it means: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Personalize this for today and write it in your own words.

Jesus touches Judas' face, aching sadness pulling at the corners of his mouth. "Friend, do what you came to do."

Then everyone seems to move at once. Judas slips to the edge of the mob as the religious leaders press in around Jesus. At last they've got him, this one who has mocked them over and over again with answers they couldn't dispute amidst crowds clamoring for his touch. Tonight he won't find it so easy.

Time is of the essence, the cover of darkness the priest's only hope for completing their plan. The blasphemer must be tried, convicted, and sentenced to death in their own courts well before his foolish followers greet the morning light.

The disciples are stunned, paralyzed with shock. "What do you want us to do?" one of them manages to ask, but Peter has sprung into action. Tearing his sword from its sheath, he stabs at a man who has Jesus by the arm, slicing off his ear.

The servant of the high priest screams, grabbing at the gaping wound. Soldiers try to quell the growing chaos, barking orders that no one seems to hear. Tensions mount and fear fills the air.

Jesus kneels to pick up the severed ear. The crowd is silenced, collectively holding their breath as he restores it to the man's head. Turning to his disciples, he admonishes them to put their swords away, searching their faces for a sign that they understand.

How many times has he warned them of this moment? What will it take for them to realize that this is the way it must be? Don't they see the choice he is making for them, for the world?

They'd like it to be so simple, a clash of force. That kind of battle he could win in an instant. He glances upward, comprehending something they can't even imagine. Moving his hands across the misty night air, he tries to explain.

"Thousands and thousands of angels would come in an instant to wage war on my behalf, if I asked. But I have a cup to drink. Can't you see that this is what the prophets foretold?"

The disciples hesitate, glancing at each other. Peter reluctantly withdraws his sword, as the others follow suit. Questions swirl within them, but there is no more time for answers.

The priests, relieved at the respite, urge the soldiers to do their job. They grab Jesus hands, binding them behind him with rough twine. He does not resist.

Then all the disciples left him and fled. One by one they disappear. Maybe they try to hide in the massive foliage of olive trees. Perhaps they hurry down a lesser-known path to reach the safety of their families. Even now they may be mixing with the crowd, unnoticed and unidentifiable as followers of Jesus of Nazareth.

He looks into the eyes of the religious leaders who have been dogging his steps all week. "Day after day I have been with you and you could have taken me then. This too the prophets said would happen -- this is your hour and the power of darkness."

Incensed at his arrogance, the priests press in, demanding action. The soldiers tighten the twine until it cuts into the flesh of his wrists and shove him forward. Jesus glances around for the last time at the Garden he has come to love so well, looking for a final familiar face.

Then all the disciples left him and fled. Alone. Does he recall other lonely moments across the span of his short life on earth? His forty-day fast in the wilderness? Quiet mornings in prayer down the dusty paths of Jericho? Long dark nights when sleep eluded him and he sought solace in the Father's arms?

Solitude is nothing new to Jesus, yet this is so very different. This time, He goes to lay down his life. This time he will not return to his disciple's side to teach and heal and soothe their souls with his tender touch. This is the end. And Jesus has never been more alone than in this moment when all the disciples left him and fled.

Have you ever been alone, truly alone? Where there was no one to call, no place to go? Have you ever felt abandoned by those you loved? Consider what Jesus felt in that moment when they all fled. Think of all He had done and said to them. Think of all He will do in the coming hours. Muse on His pain.

Do you flee from the Cross at times? Do you tend to rush past the pain of the sacrifice Christ made, relishing instead the power of resurrection?

It is the Cross of Christ that writes His love on our heart. Without a grasp of this, we will flounder and fail in our Christian walk. Many years after Jesus' death, John wrote: We love, because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

Have you really understood that we cannot love God on our own, cannot conjure it up? We love because He loved us first. This is the message of the Cross. Write a prayer of confession, commitment or worship in response to the Lord.

Dearest Shepherd of my soul, now you walk through the valley of the shadow of death. . . alone . . . so very alone. Did they scurry away like rats returning to the gutter of their existence? Did they look back, or try to catch your eye one more time? You walk a lonely road, my Lord, and I feel the pain of abandonment in my own gut. I follow you. . . truly I do. Though none go with me, still I will follow . . . I pray it is so.



MAKING THE PASSION PERSONAL A Journey with Jesus to the Cross and Beyond Tricia McCary Rhodes DAY EIGHT -- Alone My Jesus! loaded with contempt, nail my heart to Your feet, that it may ever remain there, to love You and never leave You again. Saint Alphonseus Liguori Reflect Take some time to set your heart towards God today. Acknowledge His presence and commitment to reveal himself to you. In the Old Testament, a redeemer was one who could pay your debts and free you from the tyranny of wealthy landowners to whom you were enslaved. In the same way, Jesus has redeemed you from Satan's tyranny and the darkness of his kingdom. In light of this, offer a prayer from Psalm 19:14 to the Lord, meditating on what it means: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Personalize this for today and write it in your own words. Read Then all the disciples left Him and fled. Matthew 26:56 Jesus touches Judas' face, aching sadness pulling at the corners of his mouth. "Friend, do what you came to do." Then everyone seems to move at once. Judas slips to the edge of the mob as the religious leaders press in around Jesus. At last they've got him, this one who has mocked them over and over again with answers they couldn't dispute amidst crowds clamoring for his touch. Tonight he won't find it so easy. Time is of the essence, the cover of darkness the priest's only hope for completing their plan. The blasphemer must be tried, convicted, and sentenced to death in their own courts well before his foolish followers greet the morning light. The disciples are stunned, paralyzed with shock. "What do you want us to do?" one of them manages to ask, but Peter has sprung into action. Tearing his sword from its sheath, he stabs at a man who has Jesus by the arm, slicing off his ear. The servant of the high priest screams, grabbing at the gaping wound. Soldiers try to quell the growing chaos, barking orders that no one seems to hear. Tensions mount and fear fills the air. Jesus kneels to pick up the severed ear. The crowd is silenced, collectively holding their breath as he restores it to the man's head. Turning to his disciples, he admonishes them to put their swords away, searching their faces for a sign that they understand. How many times has he warned them of this moment? What will it take for them to realize that this is the way it must be? Don't they see the choice he is making for them, for the world? They'd like it to be so simple, a clash of force. That kind of battle he could win in an instant. He glances upward, comprehending something they can't even imagine. Moving his hands across the misty night air, he tries to explain. "Thousands and thousands of angels would come in an instant to wage war on my behalf, if I asked. But I have a cup to drink. Can't you see that this is what the prophets foretold?" The disciples hesitate, glancing at each other. Peter reluctantly withdraws his sword, as the others follow suit. Questions swirl within them, but there is no more time for answers. The priests, relieved at the respite, urge the soldiers to do their job. They grab Jesus hands, binding them behind him with rough twine. He does not resist. Then all the disciples left him and fled. One by one they disappear. Maybe they try to hide in the massive foliage of olive trees. Perhaps they hurry down a lesser-known path to reach the safety of their families. Even now they may be mixing with the crowd, unnoticed and unidentifiable as followers of Jesus of Nazareth. He looks into the eyes of the religious leaders who have been dogging his steps all week. "Day after day I have been with you and you could have taken me then. This too the prophets said would happen -- this is your hour and the power of darkness." Incensed at his arrogance, the priests press in, demanding action. The soldiers tighten the twine until it cuts into the flesh of his wrists and shove him forward. Jesus glances around for the last time at the Garden he has come to love so well, looking for a final familiar face. Then all the disciples left him and fled. Alone. Does he recall other lonely moments across the span of his short life on earth? His forty-day fast in the wilderness? Quiet mornings in prayer down the dusty paths of Jericho? Long dark nights when sleep eluded him and he sought solace in the Father's arms? Solitude is nothing new to Jesus, yet this is so very different. This time, He goes to lay down his life. This time he will not return to his disciple's side to teach and heal and soothe their souls with his tender touch. This is the end. And Jesus has never been more alone than in this moment when all the disciples left him and fled. Respond Have you ever been alone, truly alone? Where there was no one to call, no place to go? Have you ever felt abandoned by those you loved? Consider what Jesus felt in that moment when they all fled. Think of all He had done and said to them. Think of all He will do in the coming hours. Muse on His pain. Do you flee from the Cross at times? Do you tend to rush past the pain of the sacrifice Christ made, relishing instead the power of resurrection? It is the Cross of Christ that writes His love on our heart. Without a grasp of this, we will flounder and fail in our Christian walk. Many years after Jesus' death, John wrote: We love, because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Have you really understood that we cannot love God on our own, cannot conjure it up? We love because He loved us first. This is the message of the Cross. Write a prayer of confession, commitment or worship in response to the Lord. A Prayer Dearest Shepherd of my soul, now you walk through the valley of the shadow of death. . . alone . . . so very alone. Did they scurry away like rats returning to the gutter of their existence? Did they look back, or try to catch your eye one more time? You walk a lonely road, my Lord, and I feel the pain of abandonment in my own gut. I follow you. . . truly I do. Though none go with me, still I will follow . . . I pray it is so. << Back to the Daily Devotionals, Home or Unsubscribe Copyright © 2004 Tricia McCary Rhodes