Jesus' Disciples

I love Good Friday - it is a day that reminds of an event that I ought to be reminded of every day. And that is Jesus' death. It's kind of funny that the last 2 years, Good Friday weather is gorgeous, and then Easter Sunday is gloomy. It seems like it should be the other way around. Anyhow, I digress.

I was looking back at my journal from last year on Good Friday, and thought I would share what I gleaned last year. I read from Matt. 26:20-25 (and it appears again in Mark 14:17-21). To summarize, Jesus announced to His disciples that one of them would betray Him. But their response was not "It's not going to be me!" (except Peter later one). No, they responded with, "Is it I, Lord?" They didn't know their own heart and devotion to Jesus well enough to know if they would betray Jesus. They weren't over confident, either, and knew that even though they loved Jesus, they just might be capable of betraying Him.

And then Judas, who knew his own heart, plays along and asks the same question. But Jesus didn't send him away. Judas continued to stay. And Jesus still included Judas in the Lord's Supper. Wow.

After Jesus' arrest, the disciples ran and hid and Peter denied knowing Him. Amazing, how when pressed and under threat, even the disciples of Jesus - who had been with Him for the last 3 years and seen so many mircaulous events - caved. I wonder how much guilt and shame they felt once they realized what they had done. We know how Peter reacted in Matt. 26:75.

But I cannot fault the disciples. Lord only knows how I would likely have done the same. It was supposed to be that way. Scripture had to be fulfilled.

Happy Easter!