He Who Walks Alone

Can we truly comprehend how lonely and frustrated Jesus must have been in his adult life? He was constantly surrounded by people, yet separated from everyone — utterly alone.

• Only his mother understood that he was born for a special purpose, but then again, all mothers feel that way about their children. Who would pay attention to such a woman in the first place?

• Although he had many friends and followers, there was no one there to listen to his worries, his thoughts, his soul. All were there to listen to his words — interpreting his message to fit their meaning; therefore, there was no one who truly understood him enough to be able to comfort him.

• Everyone adored this new charismatic Leader, until he said something or did something that hit too close to home. Then, in their need to protect themselves, they lashed out and condemned him.

• Yes. He was surrounded by friends and followers. These men were men who gave up everything to follow a dream of a better way of life. They saw Jesus as the path to their religious and political freedom. Through him, they saw a New Order in which they would become major players.

• In their zeal for power, they tried to persuade Jesus to do things differently — to do it "their way." They all knew better ways of getting the job done. There was the educated man (i.e., Judas) who was very willing, waiting, and wanting to direct Jesus on his path to greatness. Imagine how frustrated Judas must have been when Jesus surrounded himself with the lowly and the poor, and associated himself with the uneducated (i.e., fishermen). To be overlooked and passed over for a lowly fisherman (i.e., Peter)! Can you imagine how insulted and angry Judas must have been— to have to endure that insult on a daily basis?

• The disciples of Jesus constantly doubted his methods and actions. Even when miracle after miracle were performed in their sights, they doubted Jesus was the Messiah.

• On the night before he died, it was so clear how alone Jesus was. He had no one within his band of close confidants to talk to about what he was going through. No one understood the meaning behind their journey. As he prayed, there was no one there to wipe away his tears of blood. No one could understand the path that he was on. He could only turn to His Father in heaven — weeping for comfort, but feeling none.

• No one in his band stood up for him. All it took was a confrontation to turn their faces and faith away from Jesus. The one he placed his hopes on (i.e., Peter) denied him three times on the night that started it all.

• Yes, these were the men Jesus had to work with — had to mold in his image — had to trust to carry on his work to generations to come, once he was gone. These were the men he had to place his faith in, to carry on the mission for which he was to die. These were the men who followed him. It was too late to pick better men — and much too late to turn back now.

Looking back, it is surprising how much more faith Jesus had in these ordinary and flawed men than these men had in him. It’s truly amazing that Jesus’ message lives on and that Christianity is the major religion in the world.

It is incredible what one man can accomplish — all alone.

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