27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. (Mark 14:27-31 KJV)
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
As they left Jerusalem for Bethany by moonlight after the hymn, Christ, determined to fulfill his mission, did not rest. Unlike the Israelites who were told to stay indoors the night of the first Passover (Exodus 12:22-23), Christ went out to face the destroyer, not avoid him, conquering death and ending destruction.
Christ foretells that all his disciples would desert him: “You will all fall away because of me tonight, as it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (Mark 14:27). He knew this, yet still welcomed them at his table. We should not avoid the Lord’s Supper out of fear of sinning later; instead, knowing our weakness, we should more diligently use the means of grace. Christ warned them that they would stumble, even question whether he was truly the Messiah, when they saw him taken and crucified. Though they had stayed with him through trials, the coming storm would shake them all.
But he comforted them: “After I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee” (Mark 14:28). He would gather them again, and they would find joy and fellowship once more.
Observe, in spite of our Savior’s prediction, Peter’s overconfidence in his own strength and faithfulness: “Even if all fall away, I will not” (Mark 14:29). Learn from this that self-confidence and a presumptuous belief in our own strength is a sin that even the holiest people are prone to. Peter no doubt meant well, but he would be as fragile as a feather in a storm if left to his fears. None are so close to falling as those most confident in their own standing. If we stand firm in the day of trial, it is the fear of falling that helps us to stand.