Deserted and Fled from Jesus - by Bec Bonython
In following with the church’s readings of the New Testament, yesterday’s bible reading was Mark 14. As I was reading this passage there was verse that just jumped out of the page and hit me like a tonne of bricks.
Verse 50 says “Then everyone deserted him and fled.”
Here Jesus is, about to be given a death sentence, tortured, spat on, nailed and hung to die for the sins of the world and where are His mates? Although, they didn’t know the end of the story like we do, they still left and abandoned him! What had the last 3 years been about then? Jesus was their mentor, friend, Lord, Master, and Rabbi. They knew Him to be the Messiah!! Yet they deserted Him at the most crucial time.
The bible says they fled! This means they ran for their lives, in a hurry to get out of there. Their concern was purely for themselves. They were fearful of their own lives, and worried about what would happen to them.
They were scared and they were selfish!
This verse really challenged me to think about the times in my life when I have deserted Jesus because I was at risk of being persecuted…
How many times have people joked or poked fun of Jesus at work or at school, and I have just left/fled the room, rather than say something to stop them or pull them up?
How many times have people laughed at Christian values and beliefs, yet I have stayed silent and not defended the name of Jesus, and those values/beliefs?
How often have I been scared and selfish, worrying about what people think of my beliefs and about me going to church, instead of focusing on what Jesus thinks of me?
How many times have I joined in with the group, who I know are doing wrong and ungodly things, rather than take a stand and live my life aligned with the word of God?
Today, I ask you to consider the times you have deserted and fled from Jesus.
Then with a repentant heart, ask for God’s forgiveness, knowing with assurance that He offers the same hope, mercy, love and forgiveness that He gave to His disciples. That even when His disciples deserted Him, Jesus still continued to walk toward the cross where He suffered, and gave His life for you and for me. He promise for us today is even though we can sometimes leave and abandon Him, He will never ever leave us.
Blessings,
Bec