Falling to Pieces

Inspired by Matthew 26: 31 and the last supper & Gethsemane narratives

 

A meal amongst friends,

we all know the story,

Of bread and wine,

and companionship shared.

A meal that ended

with divine revelation.

Jesus future foretold

His disciples… offended.

 

“A strike at the Shepherd that would scatter the flock”

Who would flee the scene stumbling in panic and shock.

This insight, this warning of impending trauma

Was met not with reflective considered replies,

But instead with claims they would never desert him,

“I’ll never leave you”, “Not me” were their cries.

 

Wisdom imparted but bravado responded,

And an absurd dispute about who was the best.

A foolish response to something so….. monumental.

A response they’d regret with the coming arrest.

But I can’t stand in judgement of Jesus disciples

Coz in this I’m more like them than I’d wish to be.

What I see in their deluded behaviour

I see that impulse echoed in me.

 

Perhaps you too know the feeling of needing to claim

More for ourselves than is actually true.

Needing to puff up our own fragile egos

Committing to things that we can’t follow through.

Or wanting to impress instead of just listening

So missing the point again and again.

Avoiding the truth that is coming towards us

But eventually delusion causes us pain.

 

So there in the garden, some hours later

Betrayal begins with the sign of a kiss.

And then the disciples are falling to pieces

Tripping up on their cowardice.

and in amongst the chaos, courage stands

The one who was awake all night.

Praying for another way,

pleading that there just might…

 

He doesn’t call upon the angels

Or obey the human instinct to run away.

Deserted by his friends

He chooses a another way.

One of agonising courage

that refuses to retaliate.

One that loves amid the betrayal

And surrenders to what lies in wait.

 

 

photo from Pixabay