Lenten Devotion: 3-23-16

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”  

Luke 24:14-17

Thought:

What would you have done if you had been one of the disciples sitting at the table?  Not John, James, Peter or Judas, not one of the “big names”, but if you had been Nathaniel or Andrew, Jude or Matthew, Philip or Thaddeus?  If you had been one of them, what would have been your reaction as Jesus started talking about suffering and dying.  Would you have argued with Him, grown quiet, eased out of the door?  Would you have doubted or despaired?  It is amazing to me that the disciples stayed at that table.  It is amazing to me that all, save Judas, remained.

I am not sure what I would have done, but here is what I think this text offers us this Holy Week.  As challenging as is the story of Jesus’ journey through this week, as hard as it is to face what we know is coming, if we have the confidence to stick with Him, if we will remain through the darkness and the shadow of death, there will be reward.  As difficult as this is, this is a lesson, a truth, for our lives.  May we have courage to remain.