Scripture: Mark 14:43-50
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled." All of them deserted him and fled.
Reflection Questions:
Think of a time when your friends let you down. How did it feel and how did you respond? Is that relationship still broken? If not, how did you come to reconciliation? If so, how might you extend the love of Christ to them in an effort to repair the breach?
Five-minute Story:
Over two thousand arches in relative proximity give Arches National Park the highest density of natural arches in the world. The conditions are just right in this high desert area of Utah for these unique geological formations. There are large and small arches, long and narrow, short and stubby, precariously balanced versions, and double arches. No matter your physical ability or available time, you will be able to see these beautiful creations of erosion.
My family arrived early in the day. Our first hike was going to be quick, only a half mile or so, so we left most of our hiking gear in the truck. With enthusiasm and our camera, we set out on the trail. Soon we encountered a sign that said “Primitive Trailhead.” Oh boy - nothing quite like the word ‘primitive’ to strike up a feeling of adventure.
After we passed the trailhead sign, the dusty trail became narrower and started to head upon the sandstone fins. At this point, the trail was marked only by small stacks of rocks called cairns. Every few hundred feet, someone placed a cairn. Like a child connecting dots in a coloring book, you would follow from one stack to another as you walk along.
I still don’t know how it happened. I was leading, so it was my fault (I'm admitting it now, I didn't back then.) I kept seeing piles of rocks as we hiked down from being atop the sandstone fins to a chasm between the fins. Before we knew it, we were at the bottom of a small canyon. There were no arches there. In the highest density of arches in the world, we were seeing none of them.
Instead, our hour hike led us to a place called “lost.” We were on our own, without water, in unfamiliar territory. At this point, my boys labeled our journey a “death march.” A bit dramatic, don't you think?
I found out later that, ironically, the area where we got lost is called Devil’s Garden. Scripture portrays the devil in a variety of ways: from prosecuting attorney who vigorously tests humanity to a force of ultimate evil that destroys life. Over time, the ancient scripture writers imagine the devil to be more sinister, a fallen angel, a threat to God, humanity, and all that is good.
Earlier in the gospel of Mark, Jesus tells the parable of the sower (Mk 4:3-20). Seed sowed upon the path is quickly eaten up by the birds. Jesus explains: “These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them (Mk 4:15).” Although Mark does not connect Judas’ betrayal with Satan’s actions - at some point, Judas finds himself lost, snatched up. Gethsemane becomes the Devil’s Garden as innocence is shackled and love denied. Quickly, the path of God evaporates, and the story descends into darkness. Judas finds himself lost. There is despair.
When we find ourselves lost, despair can enter. It is a horrible feeling. In desperation, we find ourselves without capacity in our souls to go onward. Hopeless. It is a corrosive feeling that eats away at our being. In moments of despair, we need to stop and breathe. Frantically wandering around will not help. Neither will worry or fretting.
Stop. Breathe. We need to allow a deep breath to fill our bodies. Remember that breath and air and spirit all share the same word in the ancient language of our faith ancestors. God’s Spirit is the breath that gives the human creature life at the dawn of creation. Spirit/air/breath brings more than the oxygen that is needed for our bodies to live. It brings back hope.
Hope pushes the devil to the side and yearns for renewed connection with our Creator. It comes as a powerful gift from God and can sustain us even when we find ourselves lost, confused, or misdirected. It comes not as a map, with clearly outlined directions, but rather as a breath of fresh air to animate, delight, and beckons us onward.
p.s. We eventually were successful in backtracking to get back on the original trail. The “Death March” remains a memorable experience for Noah and Mark- just ask them. The story continues to grow.