But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. Matthew 26:56
Many years ago, a preacher in Ireland made a large sign with Gospel texts on it, as well as an invitation to attend Gospel meetings. He added handles, so the sign could be carried by two men down the streets of the city. The preacher persuaded a young Christian to join him in carrying the sign along a crowded route to the place of the meetings. As they made their way along, the preacher sang Gospel hymns and recited Gospel texts, attracting considerable attention from the people in the streets. Some of the attention was so negative that the young man dropped his end of the sign and ran away. Another young Christian saw what happened, and quickly picked up the abandoned end of the sign. Not minding the insults and comments of the spectators, he joined the preacher in singing the Gospel hymns, and they completed the trip to the site of the meetings. What makes one Christian abandon a project that another Christian is glad to join? Or as today’s text relates, what makes everybody bail out?
Of course, if you or I had been there, we would have stayed with the Lord Jesus even if we had been arrested along with him. But wait, isn’t that exactly what the disciples promised? And look what happened to them! Even the best intentions by the strongest followers can mean nothing when things reach dangerous levels, and we see possible harm to ourselves and whatever is ours. Let’s be perfectly clear, if we had been in the garden that night, we would have all run just as fast as the disciples. But we are not called upon to place our lives in jeopardy in order to be faithful to our Lord, like the Christians are in some parts of the world. Being an out-and-out Christian does not place us in harm’s way. So why do we act as though it would?
How often do your neighbours see you carrying or reading your Bible? Did you know that owning a Bible in North Korea is a capital offense? Several North Korean Christians were executed this week because they were caught with Bibles or because they knew somebody who had a Bible and failed to report it. How many people did you witness to this week about the Lord Jesus? Did you know that most Moslem countries strictly forbid the sharing of the Gospel with anyone else? Several Christians died today because they spoke about the Lord Jesus to someone in a Moslem country. How regularly do you attend the meetings of the Assembly? Did you know that any gatherings of Christians in Hindu areas of India are subjected to violence and torture? Many Christians have died, and others bear deep scars from beatings by Hindu extremists.
Others have far more reason to flee persecution that we do. Let use remember their sacrifice, and stand with them. -Jim MacIntosh