John
16:32-33
“The hour is
coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his
home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not
alone because the Father is with me.”
(John
16:32)
Jesus tried to
prepare his disciples for what was to come.
He told them what awaited him in Jerusalem, even the part they would
play. Yet, they seemed unable to
comprehend his words. Peter pledged his
life to Jesus as did the others, but Jesus knew they would not honor that
commitment.
Indeed, the
disciple’s silence is deafening as Jesus is condemned to die, then made to carry
his own cross to Golgotha. A stranger,
Simon, does for Jesus what none of his disciples would do, as he carries his
cross. On the cross, his body broken,
bearing the sins of the world, it seemed that even God had forsaken him.
Jesus’ words,
however, give evidence to a greater hope, even in the loneliness of what he
would face. “I am not alone because the
Father is with me.” There are moments
when we wonder where God is, yet the words of Jesus reassure us that we must
ultimately trust, even when the darkness closes in.
On this Good
Friday, the power of love is displayed on the cross. Ultimate hope is found in Jesus’ words of
preparation…”I am not alone because the Father is with
me.”
Prayer: The
cross again reminds me of my own betrayal, Lord. On this day, give me strength to carry my
cross, knowing that you are with me. Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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