Matthew 26:31-35 (NIV) 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.”
“I tell you the truth,” 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.
This discussion took place on the way to the Mount of Olives and Jesus’ usual campsite at Gethsemane in the midst of the olive trees that grew there. The disciples were still in shock. Jesus had told them that one from their own number would betray Him into the hands of the religious leaders. But now He shocked them further, claiming that that very night, all of them would desert Him, hiding themselves away, leaving Him to face danger all alone. He even brought to their attention a prophesy in Zechariah 13:7 to support His point.
Of course, they all protested, but Peter’s voice rose above all of the others: “Even if everybody else turns away from you tonight, I never will!” That was when Jesus dropped the bombshell: “You will not only desert me, but before the rooster crows in the morning, you will deny even knowing me three times.”
This was too much! Of all of the disciples, no one could picture Peter ever denying Jesus. But Jesus was always right about these things. It seemed like His most shocking were the ones most likely to come true. They made the rest of the short journey to Gethsemane in silence.
Father, it is really easy for us to believe that our faith is stronger than it is. And then we feel like an absolute failure when we fail the test. Help us instead to see ourselves as we truly are, so that we lean on You for the strength we need to stand strong under testing so that a) we pass the test, and b) You receive the glory when we do. Amen.