#1318 Matthew 26 Part 4 Fall Away

 

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. Matthew 26: 30-35 ESV

Matthew 26: 30-35 Preparing the Disciples In Advance

And when they had sung a hymn - Traditionally this was the collection of Psalms known as the Hallel, Psalms 116-118.

…13I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. 14I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people. 15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.… Psalm 116: 13-15

…22The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.… Psalm 118: 22-24

You will all fall away because of Me this night - Peter becomes the focal point of most sermons on this, yet "all" fall away, and if you think you have never let Christ down, or that the power not to comes from yourself then you are delusional. When we don't stand up for righteousness, when we are silent about the mistreatment of others, remember, He said, "whenever you did it for the least of these My brethren, you did it unto Me." There are so many times that we could have removed the smear on Christianity by standing up against someone who was peddling false doctrine, but it wasn't popular to do so at the time. If you are a Christian, as you say you are, then you are a person of the Book, but how many times have you answered from the culture rather than answering the culture with the word of God? Have you ever faced death for your beliefs, an angry mob? I think you should put your trust in God, and place nothing on your abilities, your strength, your endurance, trust in Christ's strength, what He did, and pray that you will not fall into temptation. Jesus is preparing them, letting them know that He already knows, and this is quite beautiful on His part because they have held themselves up way too high in their minds, and imagine the disappointment, the devastation of falling from such lofty places. 

I will strike the shepherd - As many commentators have mentioned, Zechariah 13 is a difficult passage, but here the Lord has given the interpretation to verse 7. They had bad shepherds in those days and in many ages, which word is used to represent those who are in power politically, ie kings, governors, and those who saw over the temple and taught in the synagogues. They deserved to be struck down for their horrible management and stewardship, for leading the people astray, yet here it is the Good Shepherd Who is struck down in the place of His sheep. 

7Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones. 8And in all the land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it.… Zechariah 13: 7-8

Verse 7, this is amazing text, “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd and against the man who is My fellow, saith the Lord of hosts,” and then comes this statement, “Smite the Shepherd.” Stop right there. Now from the false shepherds wounded in the idol houses, the Spirit of God turns to the true Shepherd. He’s just as much a part of Israel’s cleansing as anything. He is the sine qua non. He is the absolute necessity. They can’t be cleansed from the defilement of sin, they can’t be cleansed from the deception of sham prophets, unless they are cleansed through the death of the Shepherd. And so God speaks in verse 7. The Lord Jehovah is the speaker and Jesus Christ is the one spoken of. And God says, “Awake, O sword.” God is going to move in judgment. God is unsheathing His sword. And He’s going to smite the Shepherd. - J Mac

More on Zechariah 13

And the sheep of the flock will be scattered - This is about to happen, and even seemingly against their will, or at least against how they would like to see themselves.

…49Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has happened that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.” 50Then everyone deserted Him and fled. 51One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body. They caught hold of him,…

52but he pulled free of the linen cloth and ran away naked. 53They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and scribes assembled.… Mark 14: 49-53

But after I am raised up - It is amazing that He can look beyond all else that is about to happen, His arrest, abandonment, unjust trial and crucifixion. He is concerned about His flock and laying out for them what will transpire. You will see a massive contrast between the "good" intentions of men and the power of Jesus to stay His course. 

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.… Hebrews 12: 1-3

…6I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle. 7Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame. 8The One who vindicates Me is near. Who will dare to contend with Me? Let us confront each other! Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me!… Isaiah 50: 6-8

Though they all fall away because of You, I will never fall away - He means well, but it's not the reality of what Jesus has already told Him will happen. They have been fighting over who is the greatest among them, and this pounds the chest of loyalty, "I am your most faithful one, I won't let you down, but these guys might." Peter is very quick to speak, very opinionated and they are all proud like us.

Before the rooster crows you will deny Me three times - This is kindness, "I am telling you in advance, don't hang yourself like Judas. I already know what you will do, so take some solace in that, you're going to fail, but I am going to rise again, I am going before you." 

I will not deny You, and all the disciples said the same - We say a lot of things, don't we?