1 Samuel 20 – 22 begin with a conversation between David and Jonathan. David wonders why Saul is angry with him, he is certain Saul wants him dead. Jonathan cannot believe his father would do such a thing but agrees to find out and let David know. Jonathan finds out that, in fact, his father does want to kill David. He, in his anger, even tries to kill Jonathan.

Jonathan warns David that his life is in danger. He counsels him to leave. Jonathan and David pledge to remain friends for generations. David flees to Nob and approaches the priest there. He asks for bread and is given the holy bread of the Presence which remains on the altar for God. This is only eaten by the priests after they replace the bread each day. David also is given Goliath’s sword which had been kept there.

David moves even farther away from King Saul. He gathers forces from those who also are fleeing or in hiding. David asks protection for his parents from the king of Moab.

Saul finds out that David has been to Nob and sends for the priest. The priest defends David in front of the king. This angers the king and he has the priests of Nob and their families killed. Only one son of the priest escapes. He tells David what happened and David promises to protect him.

There is often a great difference between perception and reality. Saul has let his paranoia and suspicions color his view of David. Everything that David does he sees as an attack. The reality is far different. David is only trying to protect himself and continues to be loyal to the king. Even when counseled differently Saul refuses to believe reality over perception. We often carry perceptions that are not based in fact. They color the way we see the things that happen around us. We may experience enmity with those who only mean well by us, believing instead that they mean harm. May we be willing to listen to the counsel of others and consider the possibility that our perceptions are not based upon reality. Let us open ourselves to different possibilities and work toward peace and reconciliation.

In Mark 15 the chief priests hand Jesus over to the Roman governor Pilate. He gives the people the chance to release Jesus or a murderer named Barabbas. The priests influence the crowds to have Barabbas released. Jesus is brought to Golgotha to be crucified. Many people mock him while he is on the cross. Only some of the women who had followed Jesus are there to see what was happening. The disciples are nowhere to be found. Only a centurion acknowledges that Jesus is God’s Son.  Jesus dies and is placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

Again, perception trumps reality. The priests are so threatened by what they perceive Jesus is doing that they free a murderer rather than allow Jesus to live. They should know who Jesus is but they let their perceptions blind them to the truth.