” Then everyone deserted him and fled”. Mark 14:50
The reality that you may have walked with the Lord intimately does not
always mean that you don’t run when life becomes difficult; in the face of
disappointment, relationship breakdown, loss of a loved one... the list goes
on. You may have had remarkable encounters with the Lord, yet you find
yourself at times struggling to cope. I want to encourage you, you are not
alone, you are certainly not condemned.
The disciples had spent years with Jesus, seen his miracles and heard his
teachings, eaten with him, prayed with him, tried to wait and watch with him
at Gethsemane while he prayed... yet they all deserted him and fled.
Sometimes, it is just hard – simple as that. Jesus proceeded with his mission
to die a painful death; hard as it must have been for him, given that he had
just prayed to the father to ‘take this cup from me...’ Mark 14:36.
Human instinct would propose that he should have legged it along with
everyone else, but he did not. He goes ahead for you in spite of, because of,
no matter your running state.
You are covered. He takes your place today like he did then, no matter where
you are. You are accounted for through Jesus, you are covered.
Prayer
Father Lord, I bring you the moments when following you feels hard and
heavy, take away condemnation, meet me with your patience, let me catch
your loving gaze, teach me to be honest with myself, and then with you.
Surround me with your warmth and cover me with your grace in Jesus’
name. Amen.
