Matthew 26:49-50 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
These are Jesus’s disciples: one who betrays, one who is impetuous, who acts rashly, one who flees naked. Jesus knows exactly how this scene will go, exactly how these disciples will act, and yet they are His chosen, His beloved. He knows they are more than the sum of their mistakes. He loves them just because they are His. This is the foundation on which He built His church.
John 18:10-11 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear…. Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
We serve a loving, compassionate, merciful Savior. The grace He gives His human, fallible disciples (and His persecutors), He freely gives us. We don’t have to—we can’t—do anything to be enough in His eyes. He loves us simply because we are His. Period.
Luke 22:50-51 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
Lord, It is so easy to fall into the lies of the world—that we have to earn Your love, that we have to do something to be worthy of Your mercy. You love us deeply, fiercely just because we are Yours. That simple truth is hard for us to comprehend and trust. Help us, Lord. And thank You for Your undeserved grace. Amen.
Mark 14:51-52 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
Have a blessed day.