They fled

But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. – Matthew 26.56

There are a lot of sad passages of scripture. There are a lot of places where the theological truth is sad or tragic.

However when it comes to pure human emotion I think it is difficult to think of words any sadder than, ‘All the disciples forsook Him and fled.’

I am not one of those people who likes to be alone a lot. I like it in small doses and for short periods of time, but I hate it for long periods.

And that is just basic loneliness. It is not that peculiar loneliness that comes with being left alone and abandoned.

Just think about this from a human viewpoint. For three years Jesus lived day and night with these twelve men. He poured His life into them. They were His closest friends and companions. And yet, during the time of His greatest need they forsook Him and fled. No one was there for Him for the arrest and trial and conviction. They all ran.

That’s just terribly sad, isn’t it? Any yet, it gives us comfort at the times when we feel alone and abandoned. Hebrews tells us that Jesus is our High Priest who feels our difficulties because he faced the things we face. He knows what it is like to have your friends turn on you and run away.

What comfort to know that when I go to Jesus when alone and betrayed He really, truly understands how it feels.