“Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him…Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.” (Matthew 26:48-49, 56)
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)
Another aspect of the supreme sacrifice of Jesus was the experience of being abandon by everyone close to Him. He had walked the last three years of this journey with friends and disciples. They had been together on the stormy sea of Galilee and watched as Jesus spoke to calm the waters. They were welcomed in some towns and run out of others. They went through the ups and downs together but from this point on Jesus would be alone…very alone.
In His last moments in the garden Jesus would be betrayed by a kiss and deserted by His friends. He will be led back to the city where He will be dragged from trial to trial, beating to beating, and finally, to the cross where He would experience the ultimate loneliness. Jesus experienced the feeling of being burned with an insincere kiss and then the feeling the ache of fleeing friends and now, abandoned by His Father.
This may have been the most difficult part for Jesus. The physical punishment was extreme but the abandonment was almost unbearable. The Savior who was defined by His love for people and His emphasis on relationships was left alone. He was forsaken so that you wouldn’t be. The Scripture tells us that God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Today we mark our halfway point in our lenten journey. Know this; you are not alone. You are not forsaken. What Jesus felt on the cross…you don’t have to. He did that for you. The cold darkness of loneliness that He encountered that night can no longer hold us hostage because we have a God who is our very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil for God is with us! (Psalm 23:4). You are not betrayed, deserted or forsaken by your Heavenly Father!
Today, carry the words of the Lord to Joshua with you:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you whenever you go.” (Joshua 1:8)
You are not alone.