“But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:32-33 NLT
Jesus was talking to His disciples after they all had left the Upper Room, where the momentous events of the Last Supper and Jesus washing His disciples feet had taken place. They were on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane, which was located on the Mount of Olives, about half a mile outside Jerusalem’s city wall. This was a favourite place for Jesus and His disciples. Luke 22:39, “Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives“. Jesus knew what was coming because it was in the Garden that His arrest would take place, and he warned the eleven remaining disciples that they would all do a runner and leave Him on His own to face the soldiers. But this could surely not be the case, because Peter and the others said otherwise. Matthew recorded, “Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” … “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same” (Matthew 26:33, 35). Of course, such a heroic last stand by the disciples was not in God’s plan, because dead disciples would have been no use in the propagation of the Gospel and the establishment of the early church.
Matthew’s Gospel records that a token resistance commenced. “But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?… But this is all happening to fulfil the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled” (Matthew 26:51-53, 56). And Jesus was arrested, a lonely figure facing a terrible few hours, being unjustly and falsely accused, tried by a kangaroo court, convicted through lies and executed by the Roman authorities.
But Jesus said to His disciples, “Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me”. The presence of God has greatly helped many men and women over the years ever since. The first martyr, Stephen, told his audience, just before he was stoned to death, “ …Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honour at God’s right hand!” (Acts 7:56). Today, we pilgrims are never alone. Every time we pray three other People join us – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Whatever our circumstances are, we can lift our eyes to Heaven and feel the presence of God. Just as Jesus was not alone on that fateful evening, neither are we. God will stand with us through our circumstances. The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:8). That promise made so many years ago still reverberates through the lives of believers today.
So, dear fellow pilgrim, what are you facing into today? A medical condition? A crisis at work? A marriage or relationship breakdown? Whatever it is, you are not alone. Matthew finished his Gospel with these words, “ … And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b). Notice that Jesus didn’t say “sometimes”. He said “always”. He will always be with us as we walk on in our journeys of faith.
Thank You God that You will never leave us or forsake us. Security in You trumps anything the world can provide. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 