“Once more he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” And again they replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.” “I told you that I Am he,” Jesus said. “And since I am the one you want, let these others go.” He did this to fulfil his own statement: “I did not lose a single one of those you have given me.””
John 18:7-9 NLT
So, there was Jesus facing a crowd of soldiers, Temple guards, Judas, and others, even the High Priest’s slave, who had all been sent to arrest Him. I wonder what this motley crew were expecting? Of course, they may well have seen the miracles, and even might have benefitted from them. They would have heard about Jesus, and the Jerusalem rumour mill might have made them nervous in case He called upon supernatural resources to protect Him and His disciples. But earlier, and as recorded in John 6:39, Jesus said, “And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day”. And even in the face of personal danger all Jesus was concerned about was His friends. It is a humbling thought that our incarnate Creator God made friends with human beings. Ordinary men like Peter the fisherman, or Matthew the tax collector. But despite His imminent suffering, Jesus’ concern for His followers was exactly what He taught and demonstrated during the previous years – His selflessness and love. But Jesus’ actions were all part of His Father’s plans for mankind.
There are two things here that apply to us pilgrims. Firstly, and because God has no favourites, Jesus’ care for His disciples extends even to us today. We may not see Him in the flesh but nevertheless He is with us through the Holy Spirit, making available to us all the love and grace we need in our hours of need. Secondly, are we too looking out for others in their times of adversity? Are we putting aside our own convenience and feelings, instead thinking of others? Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-4, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too“. We look around us and we have a circle of friends and family. How are we supporting and encouraging them? Perhaps our patents or grandparents need assistance with garden chores. Perhaps a friend is incapacitated by an accident or illness and needs some shopping done. We must remember that for most people the only glimpse they will receive of Jesus is through His followers.
Jesus cared deeply for His friends, the disciples and others who had faithfully followed Him over the previous few years. And even as His life was coming to an end He cared more for them than He did for Himself. In John 15:12-13, Jesus said, “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends“. Jesus gave us an example of what true love really means, and we are called to offer that same love to others, “so that none will be lost”.
Dear Lord Jesus. You laid down Your live in the ultimate act of love dying on the Calvary Cross so that we might have life. We are so grateful. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 