Mark 14:50 Then all His disciples deserted Him and ran away.
The night on which Jesus was arrested all His disciples including Peter – His bodyguard, John – His dear friend and James – His prayer partner, deserted and fled! They sprinted and scattered in different directions. They went into hiding undercover in fear of their own lives. Jesus had forewarned them on the night of the last supper yet instead of standing with Jesus, they fled from Him. Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “’I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered’ (Matthew 26:31). Our impetuous friend Peter vehemently declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you (Matthew 26:33).” But fear made him flee as well.
The disciples ran from the pain, suffering and persecution. They loved their Master Jesus. They all knew that He was the son of Man, the Messiah yet, the atrocity of suffering made them betray Jesus. Pain is the pathway to perseverance and promotion. Without pain and suffering our character will never be formed and fashioned. Pain polishes our personality. Running away from suffering will make us bitter but enduring pain will polish our character.
So, when hit with a problem or persecutions don’t fret, flee and hide; run to the cross and allow Christ to shape your character through the suffering. All the disciples ran away and left Jesus but John realized his mistake and returned to the foot of the cross. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby (John 19:25). Church tradition says that John was the only disciple who lived to 90 years and it was John the disciple who had a vision of heaven and Jesus enthroned as the King of Kings (Revelation 1:12-13).
Don’t run from Suffering; Pain Polishes our Personality:
1. Stand: John was the only disciple who stood with Jesus as He gave His life up for humanity, and had the privilege of becoming the son/caretaker of Mary. The revelation at the cross gave him the insight to write the book of Revelation. Standing through the pain and running to the cross will reveal the Risen Christ to us.
2. Suffer: Suffering molds our character and makes us more like Jesus. Without suffering we will be raw, rough and raucous.
3. See: Indescribable suffering and agonizing pain will open our spiritual eyes to see the incredible compassion of Jesus. The more we see Him the more we will become like Him.
Don’t run from suffering. Run to the cross and have a deeper revelation of the Risen Christ.
Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Prayer: Jesus my King, I will run to you and be under the shadow of the cross when unforeseen pain and persecution hits my way. In the storm of the suffering I will be still and know that you are Lord of Lords. Amen.
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