John 16:29-33

John 16:29-33 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Tracking Jesus' followers is a fascinating exercise.  We see crowds follow him due to his teachings and his miracles.  Then we see them abandon him due to his challenging teachings.  We see crowds continue to come due to his authority, and yet they abandon him when the leaders of the church stir up the crowds.  They gather on Palm Sunday when he enters Jerusalem, and they scatter out of fear when Jesus falls from favor.  One moment they're pledging their lives, the next they are scrambling to save themselves.
  We do the same, right?  We have heartfelt religious experiences one day, and then chase idols the next.  We pledge our hearts to Jesus, and then freely hand them over to other temptations..
  Just as Jesus loved the crowds, he loves us through our weakness.  Just as Jesus chose the disciples, Jesus chooses us.  God's love does not depend on our fidelity -- the covenantal love of God transcends our falling short, and God is faithful despite our faithlessness.