Desertion

Mark 14:50

All of them deserted him and fled.

Deserted

Left alone

with those who sought to harm him

those who came for him

mob handed.

Suddenly the garden,

a place of retreat

became a place 

of sinister shadows

filled with malevolent soldiers 

and guards

and frightened friends

cowering in the darkness.

And when we imagine

that we would have stuck around

stood our ground

not melted into the darkness

we are reminded

that it was for us

and others like us

that Jesus endured

alone in the garden.

And we too 

are included in that statement

All of them deserted him and fled.

Prayer

God when we are tempted to trumpet our loyalty and our bravery, confront us with our willingness to be with the crowd and even your friends who deserted you. And, God, forgive us.