It is not easy to remain with Jesus during Holy Week. We often choose the silver when the mission of Jesus becomes too impractical for our taste.
So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.
We say we'll stay near to him no matter what. But when that leads us to suffering we are quick to deny him.
Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me?
Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow
before you deny me three times."
Yet in all this Jesus is neither surprised nor defeated. He knows the plans of Judas. He knows the shortcomings of Peter. He knows our shortcomings too! Even so, he continues on toward the Cross because of his love for us.
And I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
It is precisely in this dark hour when all seems hopeless that God shows his glory through Jesus.
"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself,
and he will glorify him at once.
This hour of darkness precedes the eternal day when the light will never again waver or go out. Jesus knows this and so he persists. He asks friends to keep watch with him. It isn't so much something we need to do. He is rather asking us to be with him and to be attentive to him. We need to see and receive the love he displays even on those who deny him. If we have betrayed or denied Jesus we can return to him. It is not too late to keep watch. He knows our flaws and loves us no less because of them. When we fail he gives us the opportunity to return to him. And when we return, knowing our own weakness, we are more able to strengthen our brethren.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
No comments:
Post a Comment