Lenten Reader | Day 35

March 30th, 2026

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled.

A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Mark 14:43-52

Everyone Deserted

Have you ever found yourself taking the easy way out of a situation? We all have, right? Maybe because it is comfortable or maybe for selfish reasons. Out of fear of what others might say, of judgement or retaliation. Running away and turning your back on those you love and not standing up for them out of fear is easier, right? At the moment, we might think that it is, but what follows in the aftermath sometimes is a lot harder than just doing the right thing in the beginning. 

I keep going back to the passage where it is written, “When the mob tried to grab him, he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.” How humiliating, but what a great illustration of how we must feel when the realization of our “easy way out” was not the easy way after all.   
 
Or maybe you have found yourself experiencing what Jesus did: being the one betrayed and deserted by those you love and trusted. If you have ever been in this situation, I would guess you felt alone, sad, and most likely pretty darn mad. Mad that those you trusted and loved would betray and desert you in your time of need and hardship. Even betrayed by those he loved and trusted, Jesus still showed them love, mercy, and grace. Was this the easy way out?  To show mercy and grace even to those that hurt you? Not at all! It is by far the hardest. 
 
No matter how hard it may seem when we are hurt by others to show the same mercy, love, and grace that he bestows up on us every day; or how hard it might be to stand up for what we know is right even though we are scared, we owe it to our lord and savior to try.    

Stefanie Knisley