“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered”
Zechariah 13:7
That night Jesus was betrayed, He broke the loaf and gave it to His disciples. When Judas stood to leave, the Master looked at him. Then, Judas slipped out the door. The dark presence that had awaited outside in the night now stole into Judas’ very essence. For the next few hours, the most distilled evil in the universe would personally operate through the body of a disciple of the Lord.
Back in the upper room, Jesus spoke quietly to His friends, they sang a hymn, then it was time to go. Out in the darkness they slipped. Through a city gate, down the steep ravine, and up into the hill of olive trees — eleven lambs and a Shepherd in the night. Jesus left His friends to go pray against a solitary rock. Eleven men who would later change world history — some, accustomed to working all night on their fishing boats — could not keep awake to comfort their Shepherd and Friend. There in the dirt in the olive grove, the Son of God groaned in prayer.
It may have looked as though Jesus was alone, but the bleachers of heaven were filled to capacity that moment, and hell strained its neck to see how this prayer would end. The Father gazed down and gave His sober nod. The Son stared back, and bowed His acceptance. The torches arrived. The sheep fled. And the Shepherd stood to go to His slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). Consider this: Jesus was thinking of you that dreadful night. He remembered you as the whip lashed across His back. He thought of you when the mallet sank spikes in His hands and heels. Make today a time of remembrance, thanksgiving and praise for your salvation.
Precious Savior and Master, I completely yield my life to You… after all, You completely gave Your life for me, while I was full of sin and selfishness. May my walk today honor the sacrifice You gave.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
