Seeds for 02/02/2024 - Matthew 26:31-35

Scripture: 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.

Observation: It is already a strange night. Jesus has interrupted the traditional Passover meal with His own liturgy, a twist that places Him within the ancient narrative of God’s saving action on Israel’s behalf, bestowed by sheer grace.

We could forgive the disciples if they are still trying to process it all. And now Jesus is predicting their complete abandonment of Him? What are they supposed to say and do?

Two observations.

First, considering Peter’s objections to Jesus’ prediction, two things are happening. Initially, Peter contrasts himself with the other disciples: “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” Even if all fall away? Peter sets himself up as more trustworthy than the other disciples, preemptively and instinctively throwing them under the bus in his pride.

Then, after Jesus predicts Peter’s particular failure, He raises the level of his protest and is joined by the others. Peter is not alone in his ignorance and pride. He’s more or less saying what they’re all thinking, giving them permission to chime in and join the push-back at Jesus.

Second, it is hard to hear that we aren’t who we think we are. Peter and the others pictured themselves as devoted followers of their beloved Rabbi. The truth was that when the chips were down, they did in fact, all desert and disown Him. Hearing advance accusations that they are so much less than they imagine themselves to be stirs them up. They react with protestations of loyalty. Perhaps better to have been curious about what Jesus is saying and why. Yes, I’m diagnosing with the twin benefits of hindsight and not experiencing the pressure of the moment myself. Still, Jesus spoke a tough word for them to receive. Peter’s reaction to this is defensiveness and protest.

Scripture reads us more than we read it. God’s Word will have a hard word for us from time to time. Will we defend and protest? Or will we respond with humility, curiosity, and trust in the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives?

Application:

• When have you been confronted with a hard truth from the Lord? What was you initial response?

• What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?

Prayer: Lord, help me listen to what is hard for me to hear in your Word and in prayer with humility and trust. Amen.

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“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)

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