An Uncomfortable Prediction. Mark 14:26-31.
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ “But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee. “Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not. “And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times. “But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.”
Dear Citizens of Heaven,
After the solemn and unique Passover celebration, Jesus and his disciples left the upper room and went to the Mount of Olives. Here, Jesus wants to prepare the eleven (Judas had left during the meal – see John 13:26-30) – for the approaching, unsettling events of that night.
Caution (v. 26-28). Jesus knew that the disciples would be overcome with fear and forsake him. But he was expecting it and wanted them to know that when it was all over, he would be waiting for them in Galilee, where he would precede them. This was meant to reassure the disciples that he would not give up on them, despite their failing him in his hour of need.
Confidence (v. 29). Peter was confident that he would not fail, that even if the rest did, he would not fall away. Peter knew Jesus well enough by this time to know that Jesus never uttered a careless word. But in his over-confidence, he still contested what Jesus said. By so doing he set himself up for a dramatic fall.
Confirmation (v. 30). Jesus insisted that indeed even Peter would deny him. Not only that, but the number of times and the hour of it were specified. Jesus was not guessing – he knew exactly what would happen and tried to cushion Peter with this warning, but Peter’s overconfidence was to prove his undoing.
Contention (v. 31).Peter reiterated his declaration that he would not fall away and further stated that he would die with Jesus. The other ten chorused after him, confident that they were up to the task. If only they had listened to Jesus! Standing up for Jesus and dying for him cannot be done in one’s own strength. The disciples did not ask for help to avoid failure – they confidently walked into it. Beware of confidence in the flesh. Pray instead for God to enable you to be faithful.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.