(Today’s reading on audio at Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0rK2m8hU7Iznda7SZhG7l4)
But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” (Luke 22:34) He…returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief…“Why are you sleeping?” (Luke 22:45-46). (Note: Matthew’s account (26:40) says: “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?”)
Some friends of ours were on a trip with their several children. After they had finished taking care of their business at a particular highway rest stop, they loaded up and drove off. One problem: one of their children was left behind. Abandoned! Definitely, it was unintentional, but abandoned nonetheless. Someone in the family noticed the absence several miles down the road. The story eventually ended well.
I would be willing to say that all of us, at one time or another, have felt abandoned. Either left behind, left out, or left off to the side. We thought we were in with the group, or were sure we would be included. In fact, we might not even have given it a thought, because we knew that our friends (and family!) would always have a place for us in their plans. We had grown—rightly so, we thought!—to expect it. Being abandoned couldn’t be intentional! We explain to ourselves that They must have just forgotten! Then we are disappointed when we learn we weren’t forgotten, but just not included.
So, we are left to work through our response to that, and our feelings, and apparently that which has now been thrust upon us, which is a new position in our relationship. What has happened? Have I missed something here?
The journey to the cross meant that Jesus would be abandoned by those who had traveled with him, been friends with him, sat under his teachings, followed his lead, listened intently, and been the members of his inner circle. But through outright denial that he was known to them (“All the other disciples said the same [as Peter]; we won’t leave you!”), and through going to sleep and failing to stay awake in the impending capture, they just checked out on him. And I haven’t even mentioned his feeling of abandonment by his Father.
As if the pain of the cross were not enough! He knew what was coming physically; and now, with the burden of the cross looming before him, he faces emotional separation and complete distance from his closest followers. These are the ones of whom he said, “I no longer call you disciples, but friends.” How that must have hurt!
His pain is increasing, in body, soul, and spirit, as he faces the impending crucifixion.
“Father, please purge from us any tendency or desire in us to abandon you.”
Freddy Boswell 