Matthew records the time when Jesus called his first followers at the beginning of his ministry.
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people” (Matthew 4:18-19).
Similar commitments were made by James, John, Matthew, and the other disciples. For three years, they had faithfully followed Jesus.
Now, during a tense Passover meal, Jesus told them that not only would they stop following him, but that they would run away.
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.’” (Matthew 26.30-31)
Over 500 years before Jesus said these words to his followers, Zechariah prophesied that it would take place. When Jesus began his ministry, he declared his faithfulness to God’s revealed word in the Hebrew scriptures.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:17-18).
Since Jesus places such a high regard on the Scripture, we do well to invest our time in reading to know and do God’s Word.
Before eating the Passover meal, Jesus informed his disciples about his crucifixion. He then gave them a message they could not comprehend: he would meet them again in Galilee after he had risen from the dead.
“But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee” (Matthew 26:32).
The Disciples’ Response
Peter was the spokesman for the disciples. As their representative, he told Jesus that they would never turn their back on him.
Peter said to him, “Even if all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”
Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples (Matthew 26:33-35).
Paul identified the scandal of the cross.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (Galatians 3:13).
When Peter said he would never fall away, he was stating that he would never be offended or scandalized by the death of Jesus on the cross. Even though others may see him as cursed by God, Peter declared that he would not.
Apparently, the other followers of Jesus joined in and declared their faithfulness to Jesus. They had followed him for three years, and they didn’t intend to stop now.
Two Pastors
Many years ago, I read the story of two Chinese pastors who were put in a re-education camp because they were faithful followers of Jesus. They went through horrific conditions.
One of them ended up renouncing Christ and getting free. The other served his term of so-called re-education, and when he was finally freed, returned to his church and continued preaching as before.
I remember reading that the pastor who turned his back on the faith was very prominent and well-respected. The other pastor had a smaller role but was nevertheless powerful.
I asked myself if I could remain faithful to Jesus under the horrific conditions these two men faced. I pray that I would be able to, and that people who read my blog would as well.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 