In the moment, it is the most awful, horrible, wicked, evil, crushing, horrifying day in history. Betrayal after betrayal. Lies upon lies. Pride on full display, determined to squash into extinction the call to humility, service, sacrifice. Unwittingly serving the greatest purpose. Unknowingly setting into motion the ultimate example of "beauty for ashes."
The adversary believes he has won. He has thwarted God's plan. The promised Messiah is debased and brutally murdered. Whew. Success.
God holds aloft a very different definition of success.
Jesus willingly endured Gethsemane, the flogging, the mock trial, the cross, everything because of His love for us.
Something the adversary cannot understand.
The disciples didn't understand, regardless of the Master's gentle tutoring. Compassion begs to be embraced. How could they? No one had ever done what Jesus was doing. It was all new. Everything was new. Hearts and minds needed to be changed.
Jesus led the way and invited all to follow Him.
And yet, how many would willingly follow Him through such a grizzly death?
Would I?
He does not ask it of me. He asks me to follow Him. Every day, I declare my choice by the actions I take. Sometimes, I follow well. Sometimes, I don't. Jesus provided the perfect way to overcome the times I don't. Repentance: Turn back to God. No one is exempt. But no one can cheat. What you choose will be written on your heart and show in your daily steps. In this life, it is never too late to make a different choice.
The advantage we have over the disciples, in our faith walk, is they don't know Sunday is coming.
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