The Suffering ServantSample

The final evening before his arrest, Jesus was lonely while surrounded by friends. The celebration they were having was monumental—the last true Passover meal of the old covenant. It was not that Passover was an empty ritual that we’ve abandoned, but that the Passover was designed by God to symbolize the way Jesus would establish the new covenant. As Jesus broke the bread and shared the cup, he knew he would seal the new covenant with his own death just a few hours away. With this last Passover supper, Jesus announced that the new covenant belonged to everyone who ate and drank the bread and wine from Christ’s table in faith.

But his disciples did not understand what was coming, nor did they understand their own frailty. Because he loved them, Jesus warned his disciples that they would all be scattered (Matt. 26:31). One of the most important ways we can love those around us is by warning them of the real dangers we see before them. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus goes further, giving Peter direct instructions: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32). Despite their apparent faith—despite Peter’s protests to the contrary—Jesus knew that they would flee and even deny him after all they had seen. While he spent his final hours seeking to prepare, strengthen, and comfort them, they did not think to console him.

By the time they reached Gethsemane, the disciples showed themselves to be immature boys more than men. Jesus asks them to keep watch with him, saying, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death” (Matt. 26:38). Still, after all they had been through—after all Jesus had warned them of that evening—they could not keep themselves awake even one hour to pray with him. The psalmist gives us a glimpse into what Jesus was thinking: “Reproaches have broken my heart so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none” (Psa. 69:20). Yet, even in his frustration, Jesus’ words remain gracious: “Watch and pray that you may not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41).

At times in life, it may be difficult to decide who’s a bigger disappointment—ourselves or the people around us. All of us are great at pinpointing the ways others have wronged us (and are often quick to add up all the tallies we have against them). But, for those who have been with Jesus, that awareness of sin turns inward and we become increasingly aware of the many ways we are falling short ourselves. Sin breaks us away from others, but sin has also left our minds and hearts in turmoil. At our worst moments, we might wonder if we can trust anyone, including ourselves.

There is comfort to be found in Jesus. By the end of his life, his relationships could be counted on one of his scarred hands. His friends didn’t remain with him, even after he warned them about what was coming. But he was willing to undergo it all for their sake and ours.

Although he knew they were going to flee and betray him, Jesus promised he would come to comfort them after he had risen. Although they were unwilling even to keep watch with him on his final night with them, Jesus—the Holy One of Israel—never slumbers or sleeps, and lives forever to intercede for us. We can have great confidence that Jesus, God’s suffering servant, will not fail us.