June 21, 2012 Running Timee

Running Time Mark 14:46-50 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. MR. DISCIPLES, you fled? I thought you were disciplined, willing to stay with your Lord when the hard things happened. You said you were ready to die with him. (Matt 26:35) Peter, you said so this very night. Do you remember, Mr. Disciples, how Jesus aggressively confronted the teachers of the law? Do you recall how he had faithfully healed on the Sabbath, even though he was repeatedly criticized? You remember, don’t you, how Jesus had passionately cleansed the temple? You even showed some courage leaving your homes and your jobs to follow Jesus. Why are you fleeing now? Conflict is scary, isn’t it, Mr. Disciples? You expect when you’re following the Lord that everything will be easy. You thought you’d be sitting at his right and left hand by now, didn’t you James and John? But something is amiss. Something is wrong, horribly wrong, and you don’t know what to do about it. One thing you surely won’t do, though, is stay in the battle alongside your Lord. That’s too much to ask, isn’t it? Don’t feel badly, guys. Fear has sent most of us running from Jesus one time or another. Some of us run all the time. We stand for nothing, and we have no faith. Pause and consider fear is a faithless factor.