“Jesus said to them, ‘You will all fall away because of me this night.’”
Matthew 26:31
Jesus was a popular teacher and healer. Huge crowds of people had followed him. The religious leaders even complained: “Look, the world has gone after him”! (John 12:19). But when Jesus’ hour of suffering had come, the crowds were gone. The religious leaders plotted to arrest and kill him. One of his disciples betrayed him. And Jesus knew that his other disciples would also fall away. Although they were faithful followers and were convinced that they would never deny their teacher, Jesus knew how weak and afraid they actually were. And indeed, when Jesus was finally arrested, “all the disciples left him and fled” (Matthew 26:56).
Jesus had to bear his suffering alone. There was nobody to support him. Nobody stood up for him. He was utterly alone.
Have you ever experienced such loneliness in a difficult situation? Have you ever felt forsaken by people around you — maybe even by your closest friends? That hurts, and it makes your suffering even worse.
Jesus knows this from experience. He understands, and He promises to be with you always! (Matthew 28:20).