At the hour of His betrayal Jesus had with him those faithful followers who were named Disciples and most of all, eleven of the twelve whom he had appointed Apostles. They were they who earlier told him that they would not deny him even if they had to die with him (Matthew 26: 35). They had to have had strong feelings for him and were convinced of their love for him,  for they had been following him for about three years and had seen all the great miracles he had performed, heard all his preaching and teachings and had confirmed that he was Jesus the Christ,  the Son of God, having great power. Yet at that hour when he needed their presence most; they forsook him and fled (Matthew 26: 56). One is tempted to call them cowards and many have even done so. Their abandonment would amount to a betrayal had it not been so ordained; even Peter’s denial was ordained. These things had to take place to fulfill the prophecies concerning his Crucifixion and the Covenant of Grace (Psalm 22: 11, Matthew 26: 31-35 & 51-57 and John 18: 7-12). At that moment what little faith they had was taken away. Those who were operating on the faith of the Master had become faithless. They were no longer proud to be identified with him. They had no power to interrupt or change the Spiritual Course that Life was now embarking on. They became weak and afraid and to some extent hopeless, so they ran. He had to face his accusers alone. The Cup was his and his alone to drink and he and he alone was able to bear it. He needed no help.

Often times many of us Christians try to justify our religious position, identifying our efforts as building Christ Church on earth. While I am not sure what that means; there is one thing about which I am certain: Christ does not need our help to build his Church. He alone is able to build his Church. He is mighty to save and able to save each one to the uttermost. He knows for sure every sheep that is his and his sheep knows his voice. He will not lose any of them. Those Disciples who became weak, helpless and hopeless, swallowing their pride as they fled leaving He whom they had earlier acknowledged to be the Christ the Son of the Living God and promising to die with him;  found STRENGTH beyond measure on the day of Pentecost to declare Him before all men without fear (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit had come and the Faith of Jesus Christ was now working in them. They were now been used by God in a most powerful way to take the Gospel to the world with most if not all of them eventually suffering martyrdom living up to their word to die with him. The powerless had become powerful advocates of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This was not their effort, but the Holy Spirit and the faith of Jesus Christ operating in them. As they were used of God so is every one of us that is saved by grace through the faith of Jesus Christ. We therefore serve Him best when we let go of our pride and our self help attitude and let the Spirit of God rest, rule and abide in us: For it is God which work in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Philippians 2: 13). If we were left to do this on our own, we too would flee. I thank God that: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2: 20). It’s the only way we can live and not forsake him; that we may know him, and the power of his Resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means we might attain unto the resurrection of the dead to life eternal. I want to know him in all his glory and power. How about you?                                       

Love you always with Jesus Joy.

W. Bennett