24 Hours That Changed the World - Condemned by the Righteous

Abandoned.  We think we know that this feels like.  I'm sure each one of us can think back to a time when we felt utterly alone. Settle into that feel too much and the physical symptoms return. Sweating, rapid heart beat, feeling flush or pale, a strange metallic taste in your mouth - each of these are signals from an ancient "fight or flight" mechanism deep within our brains. They are there to help ensure our survival so we can live to fight another day.

Abandoned. That's how Jesus felt, too, but multiplied by factors too high for us to count.
Abandoned as the guards walked him from the Garden through the Kidron Valley to the house of the Chief Priest under the cover of darkness.
Abandoned as the put him in the holding chamber/pit to await his (speedy) trail and sentence.
Abandoned as the disciples scattered like feathers in the wind.
Abandoned as he knew he was the one they had been praying for, but couldn't recognize because their own love of power and fear of change.

Fear is one of the biggest motivators in the world - not a healthy one, but used regularly by individuals and institutions, along with it's cousin, guilt.

Fear is powerful, so powerful that it can make us forget the lessons that history teaches us about how NOT to live. Fear can overtake love in a moment, and can grow exponentially when passed from one person to another.

Fear can be the thing which keeps us safe and sound, but we have to ask ourselves, is that what Jesus really taught? Is that how Jesus really lived? It is so easy to get swept up with the crowd when change is knocking at the door. Fear of change - fear of feeling foolish - fear of rejection - each of these keep us from speaking up when we should. Each of those hold us back and keep love from blossoming to its fullest potential. Adam uses an Edmund Burke quote to illustrate this point: "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Sins of omission are just as harmful as the ones we actually commit.

Would we speak up? Do we speak up? If not, what are we afraid of? If so, what is the cost?

"I AM" This was Jesus answer to the high priest's question, "Are you the Messiah?" Jesus did not reply, "I am he" as would be grammatically correct. No, he confessed with every fiber of his being. "I AM" ... just like God introduced himself to Moses in the burning bush. Every Jew in the building would have known what Jesus was doing, so it is no surprise that the High Priest went a little crazy. There, before God and everybody, Jesus sealed his own fate.

These Greek words, Ego eimi (I am) contain a powerful proclamation about who Jesus is. Imagine Jesus
speaking those words directly to you. What might he say to you in completing that thought: "I am ______." However you finish that sentence tells you a lot about how you see God and understand your relationship.

Peter's denial tells us something important about Jesus. He knew that Peter would deny that he knew Jesus, not once but twice. And Jesus loved him still. Part of what make's Peter's testimony after the resurrection so powerful is his witness that Jesus forgives even the sins we think are unforgivable. And he doesn't just forgive us, but continues to entrust to us the work that he started here on earth and continues in heaven.

It can be easy to accuse others of being like the Sanhedrin, but we have to remember that WE are THEM. Throughout our lives, Jesus will come in again and again to remind us that he is the Messiah - the beloved Son of God - the One who we have been waiting for. And when we deny knowing him, or loving him, or following him, he will forgive us, again and again, and send us back on the journey to building the kingdom he desires.

This time of Lenten reflection and devotion it is important to reflect on the events of Jesus' last 24 hours are in many ways the same events that happen over and over again today. It's easy to fault Peter and the disciples for their abandonment of Jesus', but we also I have to know that we have done the same. Part of our Lenten journey encourages us to long for the assurance of his forgiveness, and to receive it for the gift it is.

Peace, Deb