Yesterday I was reading Matthew 26, the events leading up to Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion. What stood out to me is how Jesus KNEW but did it anyway.

He knew His disciples would not only betray Him but abandon Him in His greatest time of need.

“Then Jesus told them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” Matthew 26:31 NIV

Jesus had a mission, and He didn’t let other people’s behavior or choices veer Him off His path. Why? Because He knew that even when everyone left, He always had the Father with Him.

“Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.” John 16:32 NIV

Betrayal and abandonment are brutally painful. They shake our sense of trust, worth, and safety.  Jesus felt it too, He wept, He prayed, He sweat blood in anguish.  He truly understands the heartbreak. And yet… He stayed the course.  What would it look like for us to keep showing up to the mission God placed in our hearts, even knowing we might get hurt along the way?  That kind of courage only comes from knowing you’re never truly alone.

We can choose to shrink back, avoid conflict, or run from our purpose because of fear of judgment or rejection from others.

That’s not what Jesus did.

I want to be like Jesus, where no matter what other imperfect, broken people (spoiler alert: we are all imperfect and broken) throw at me, I won’t veer off my purpose or my God-given destiny.

If you’re feeling the weight of other people’s opinions or judgment heavy today, I encourage you to go back and read through Matthew 26.  Jesus didn’t change His plan or make Himself small to accommodate others’ insecurities or fears.  He rose above it (literally) and completed the mission He set out for… to give us eternal life in Him!

Let’s honor Jesus today by living in our purpose and walking courageously into the mission – even if it feels like the world is against us.  Because we will always have our champion, Jesus, with us. Amen.