When Others Let Us Down
We’ve all been let down. Whether it is our friends, our co-workers, or even our family. And no matter how hard we try, and whether we know it or not, we too have been guilty at one point or another of letting someone else down. And often this happens when we need the support of others the most!
Image courtesy of: ashley rose,
Scripture:
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Mark 14:38
Observation/Application:
It was moments before Jesus was going to be arrested. And as he anticipated the moment, the heaviness of the moment came upon his flesh. He went up to Gethsemane and prayed and cried out to God. And when he went back to his disciples, he found them asleep. Did they just not understand the significance of the moment, that their leader was moments away from being arrested and crucified?
One of the twelve in his inner circle then betrays him by getting him arrested and to be brought before authorities. And as it happens, the betrayer walks right u to Jesus, kisses him on the cheek, and says. “teacher”. What a terrible sight. Did he kiss Jesus on the cheek because he was truly remorseful for what he had done but now felt that he couldn’t turn back? Or was he just trying to make himself look good among his peers as if he had no part in the plot?
To top things off, one of Jesus’s boldest followers, Peter, says that he will never denounce Jesus and would even follow him to death if that is what it came to. But in the moment of truth, Peter denies Jesus 3 times. And then the group of disciples run off and scatter. Literally, his disciples and those closest to Jesus, those who he spent 3 years of his life with teaching and loving on, turn their backs on him and scatter.
Have we ever felt this way? It’s like when things get really tough, everyone scatters and there is no one to be found? Maybe they are around for a little while, but most everyone eventually scatters. There is bad news and good news to this story. The bad news is that the flesh is weak, and this is just a fact of life. People are not perfect and they are going to let us down, and fail us. We are in fact human.
But the good news is that we are not alone. Jesus was also let down by those around him in the flesh, so we are in good company. And some more good news is that God is always with us. And even more good news is that God loves us so much that he sent his one and only Son Jesus Christ to die for us, so that our sins could be forgiven, and that we could have eternal life if we turn and follow him.
So while others might let us down, let us not lose sight of the big picture and the best news of all – that God is always with us, and He always keeps his promises. And let us share the best news of all, the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. Fill us with your goodness. Let it overflow in us. Wash us clean from the inside out. Remove anything that is not good and pure and holy. Make us new. Strengthen and encourage us Lord. Give us boldness, peace, humility, and understanding Lord. Fill us with your wisdom, and our hearts with love. Guide our every action today Lord, our every thought, and every word that comes from our lips. Draw us close to you Lord, all throughout the day. Let your light shine in us today that others will see, and be drawn to you. We give you all the honor and glory, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Image courtesy of: jordandouglas
Photo By ashley rose,
Thanks for this Matt, well done. I pray, we allow Christ’s love to shine through us, so those who feel alone, abandoned, abused, will see Him, in spite of ourselves.