Nougat 20

If ever we need confirmation of God’s matchless love for humanity, we need only look to Jesus. His life is a story of loving grace. Please receive Today’s Holy Nougat

“When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the Twelve. While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”

On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” ‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭20‬-‭21‬, ‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One and All vs One for All

It is so easy to follow the crowd. No experience necessary. Just tacitly agree with what they’re doing, no words necessary. That’s what it seems like the crowd did at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. One minute, in honor of the fish and bread miracle, everyone was hailing Jesus as the Messiah. A few days later, when salvation didn’t seem as immediate as expected, they cried out for His crucifixion. It seems preposterous, doesn’t it. But, it wasn’t. And some would ask, ‘Where were the Disciples?’

With the exception of Judas, I think we can safely say the disciples did not join the crowd clamoring for Jesus’ death. Yet, they were not compassionately or sacrificially Offering themselves to be crucified alongside Jesus. Jesus prophesied that they would disappear, and they did. Watching from afar, saving their own skin, or grieving privately; they were not with Jesus. If we were to be honest with ourselves, would we have been the one to be there with Jesus? Are we fully here for Jesus now?

And that’s the clincher, right there. At the time when we’d presume Jesus needed His team by Him, one betrayed Him and the others were deserters. Which is better – well, they’re both bad options. But we’re told it would have been better if the betrayer hasn’t been born; despite the fact that someone had to have done the dirty.

Let’s not forget however, that although one and all deserted Jesus; He made Himself a ransom For ALL (see Mark 10:45). The issue is, all did not and will not accept Him, so He is a ransom for many. All deserted The One in some way; nevertheless The One and Only Son of God have His life for our salvation. How will we respond?

—

May all we seek be found in Christ