Todays readings are Matthew 26 vs 36-38 and Matthew 27 vs 11-54

It is hard to believe that this is the same Jesus that the crowds were following in such great numbers that he had to get in a boat, or climb a hill so that everyone could hear. This is the same Jesus that the crowds had watched raising Lazarus from the tomb, and the same Jesus that they had thrown palm branches in front of on the road to Jerusalem.

Now it was clear that the powers that be had turned against Jesus, and so it was far safer to play follow-the-leader and turn against him themselves.

This is a very real choice for some people in the world today. In the last century it was a choice for the people of Russia and China, give up your faith because that is what the government decrees. Now in parts of the world it is dangerous to remain a Christian as Islamism, the radicalization of Islam, takes over the function of government.

We live in a time when it is very easy to follow Jesus. No one excludes us from school because we follow Jesus, health care is not denied us. My prayer is that if this situation changes, my faith may be firm and I will not deny Jesus - whatever the cost.

Tim