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.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
--Parallel verses:
Zechariah 13:7
Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!” declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
I get the funny feeling that Peter did not like to be compared to a sheep much. If Jesus asked each of his disciples which animal would they pick as their personal mascot, I bet they would pick lions, bears, sharks, killer whales, eagles, or even a rhinoceros.
But Jesus repeatedly compares them to sheep. Peter strikes me as a “tough guy”, fisherman-type. He likely didn’t back down from too many fights. So when Jesus tells him that they will all fall away, he is confused, a bit hurt, and probably questioning Jesus like this: “You have known me closely for a few years. What kind of friend do you think I am, that I would leave at the first sign of danger?”
Peter did not understand how Jesus would choose to be taken. He had plans of his own, plans to fight by his side. And when Peter’s plans didn’t work, because Jesus did not want to fight, he was bewildered and confused. His fight was bigger than his faith.
It is hard to understand sometimes how I fall, when I feel so close to God. This is the case for many, I guess. We seem to be in a zone spiritually, and everything’s going well; and then all of a sudden - BAM - a trial bigger than we can imagine hits. It is hard to see that when our plans take a turn, it is because God has a bigger and better plan that’s different from ours.
The disciples had hearts that wanted to follow Jesus, but their faith did not match their heart desires. They had not been tested in the fire. So when Jesus was taken from them, their rabbi and their leader, they shrunk back in fear. I’ve been there too.
The good news is that God doesn’t leave us in a state of shock and fear. He picks us up and he works with us and he brings us back to life — stronger, more fortified.
Thank you, Lord, for never giving up on me, just like you didn’t give up on Peter and the disciples. We’ve gone through some challenging times together, and you’ve always led me through, in spite of my mistakes or failures. You are a faithful Shepherd. I’m happy to be your sheep. You know me by name. You guide me to refreshing waters and green pastures.
