Alone

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Opening Prayer

Mighty God, when appearances deceive me into despairing, remind me again that with You all things are possible.

Read Mark 14:43–52

^[43] Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. ^[44] Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” ^[45] Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. ^[46] The men seized Jesus and arrested him. ^[47] Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ^[48] “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? ^[49] Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” ^[50] Then everyone deserted him and fled. ^[51] A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, ^[52] he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Meditate

Because Christ stood alone for me, my trust can, and must, be in him alone.

Think Further

Judas greeted Jesus with a sign of respect that intended no respect. A brief

scuffle and then Jesus was alone, apart from his enemies. “Everyone deserted him and fled” (50),

including bystanders and a young eavesdropper—and in particular the eleven disciples. One of

the most remarkable and consistent features of the Gospel accounts, which are rooted in the

disciples’ own testimonies, is their portrayal of themselves as slow to understand, overconfident

and weak. (This has to be seen in the context of the whole New Testament story, since these

same people will, a few weeks later, bear and maintain courageous public testimony to Jesus.)

The eleven wanted us to know that they were transformed by grace and the power of God.

They were not a hopeless crowd. Jesus chose them, as he has chosen us. Judas’s duplicity and the

arrest at night “with swords and clubs” (43) was far more cowardly. Despite their promises and

the brief flash of a sword, there was little the disciples could have done. They could not change

the physical circumstances, while spiritually the work of the cross was something Jesus must

achieve alone. God’s purpose prefigured in Scripture was being fulfilled. God’s plan is not

dependent on our successes.

The New Testament is clear that it was their encounter with the risen Jesus and empowerment by

the Holy Spirit which later made these disciples such effective witnesses. Fruitful and faithful

discipleship is not a matter of inherent strength of character but of dependence on God and

encounter with the Holy Spirit. Jesus can turn cowards into martyrs, but more often he takes

ordinary, reasonably competent human beings and teaches them that to be of service they need to

trust his power, not their competence.

Judas greeted Jesus with a sign of respect that intended no respect. A brief scuffle and then Jesus was alone, apart from his enemies. “Everyone deserted him and fled” (50), including bystanders and a young eavesdropper—and in particular the eleven disciples. One of the most remarkable and consistent features of the Gospel accounts, which are rooted in the disciples’ own testimonies, is their portrayal of themselves as slow to understand, overconfident and weak. (This has to be seen in the context of the whole New Testament story, since these same people will, a few weeks later, bear and maintain courageous public testimony to Jesus.) The eleven wanted us to know that they were transformed by grace and the power of God. They were not a hopeless crowd. Jesus chose them, as he has chosen us. Judas’s duplicity and the arrest at night “with swords and clubs” (43) was far more cowardly. Despite their promises and the brief flash of a sword, there was little the disciples could have done. They could not change the physical circumstances, while spiritually the work of the cross was something Jesus must achieve alone. God’s purpose prefigured in Scripture was being fulfilled. God’s plan is not dependent on our successes. The New Testament is clear that it was their encounter with the risen Jesus and empowerment by the Holy Spirit which later made these disciples such effective witnesses. Fruitful and faithful discipleship is not a matter of inherent strength of character but of dependence on God and encounter with the Holy Spirit. Jesus can turn cowards into martyrs, but more often he takes ordinary, reasonably competent human beings and teaches them that to be of service they need to trust his power, not their competence.

Apply

How do you account for the disciples’ reactions (47,50,51)? What would help you to respond like Jesus did?

Closing prayer

Lord, I doubt that I would have behaved any differently from these first disciples. I thank You that Your commitment to me is greater than my capacity to desert You.

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