I have been given a perspective that I wish to rather not have, but all in all an appreciated perspective.
But I am not alone, as I have seen others endure a glimpse of THE CROSS as well. It is a gift full of heartache. But it is still a gift.
~
As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane... his friends fell asleep. He was abandoned & left alone in his hour of need.
Jesus was betrayed... by someone in his inner circle. Someone he dined with, who knew his character and who he shared his heart with.
Jesus was falsely accused and arrested... "the disciples forsook Him and fled." For fear that the same may happen to them. They were looking out for themselves.
As Jesus is being questioned, his reputation is being tarnished... his friends denied even knowing him. No one was there to stick up for him or "have his back".
Jesus was publicly shamed and humiliated. When all he did was love people.
Jesus walked with his cross, endured physical beatings and unbelievable pain.
As Jesus died on the cross... His disciples were "looking on from afar" (Mark 15:40)
Who was there?.... His Mom =) And one friend... John.~
If this happens to me... to us... Should I or we be surprised?
~
We will be betrayed & abandoned by loved ones & those we consider friends.
We will be left alone while we are in sorrow and anguish over a broken heart.
We will be gossiped about and our reputation will be tarnished by lies.
We will be falsely accused... no one will stand-up to attest of your character unless they are forced to, for fear they may be dragged into it with you.
We will be the one that no one wants to be associated with. As we walk to and fro about our daily lives carrying the cross... people will look on us as if we are wearing "The Scarlet Letter".
We will be publicly humiliated & shamed upon.
We will feel physical pain. Pain that makes you unable to even walk. And we may feel abandoned to endure alone.
We will go through heartache, humiliation and pain... and out of fear of what to say or do, others will only look on us from afar.It is sad but true... we will all feel what Jesus felt at some point and in some way. A glimpse and or a fraction of what he felt in his hour of need. May it truly make me (us) appreciate all the more what Christ endured.
And when our moms or friends like John do come to our side... may we not take it for granted.
~
But there is one thing we will NEVER feel that Jesus did feel.
"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
God will never forsake us or leave us.
~
"You don't realize that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have." -Corrie Ten Boom
Thank you Jesus for the price you paid... for enduring... for allowing God to forsake you so that you could take our sins upon you. Thank you for allowing me to feel a glimpse of what you have felt, so that I can be all the more appreciative of what you did for me.
Now my prayer is that somehow when it is all said and done. That I may return to forgive and not be left with bitterness. Jesus, I don't know how you did not bare resentment! Thank you for grace. Thank you for mercy. Equip me with those attributes!
Thank you for my mom =) and for friends & family like John. AMEN!
Rembrandt's picture of Peter's denial... Notice Jesus in the background?
