Mark 14:50

New International Version

Then everyone deserted him and fled.

For meditation

Have you ever felt betrayed and lonely before—the time when all your trusted friends and family deserted you?

They made Him think they loved Him and made Him feel they would be there for Him through thick and thin. But they deserted Him when He most needed them (Mark 14:50).

Were they not with Him when things were going well, and the crowds couldn’t have enough of Him? Didn’t they sit and dine with Him all the time?

Then came the night He told them they would all disown Him before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:34). The leader of His family and closest confidant assured Him that even if everyone deserted Him, he wouldn’t, and one after the other, they all said the same thing (35).

So, what happened when He asked them to stay in prayer with Him in the anguish of His soul (39-45)? With willing spirits but heavy eyes, didn’t they sleep through the night while He poured His heart out to the Father? Is there any wonder they all deserted Him when His enemies came for Him (56)?

Why did the boastful head of the team who swore he would die with Him follow at a distance when they arrested Him (Luke 22:54)?

In the courtyard of the high priest, where He first stood trial, he swore before a servant girl and the others around the night fire he didn’t know Him from anywhere. Rather, he called curses on himself (69-74).

And where was the one who described himself as the one the Master loved most (John 13:23)?

Does that puzzle you?

Welcome to the world of Jesus! 

Feel what He went through for our sake and realize what we do to Him every time we deny Him when we cannot stand for His name and honor.

But for those of you who love Him, Jesus understands how you feel when those around you turn into traitors and backstabbers. He can empathize with you (Hebrews 4:15-16) and give you the grace to endure as He did (12:2). Just see Him exalted and focus on Him with faith and courage. And as the Psalmist says:

“You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked” (Psalm 91:8).

Shalom