" Then all the disciples deserted him and fled" (Matthew 26:56).

When it came to the rub, Jesus wasn't the kind of Messiah to suit his disciples. They had been willing to leave their former professions and occupations to follow him. But they hadn't reckoned on having to choose between loyalty to him and their own national heritage along with its chief exponents. It’s easy to follow Jesus when his values appear to coincide with our own. The cross opens our eyes and shows us what we have signed on to.