Hey everybody! Thank you for joining me in daily Bible reading as we seek to glorify Jesus, know Him more, and interpret the truth of His Word.
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Day 318, Matthew 26:30-35 — Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial Matthew 26:30-35 (NASB1995) “After singing 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 DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.’ 33 But Peter said to Him, ‘Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.’ 34 Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ 35 Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.’ All the disciples said the same thing too.” Context Matthew 26 details the last hours of Jesus’ life before His arrest and crucifixion. Review Yesterday, we read about the institution of communion. Notably, Jews had their own words for the breaking of bread and drinking of wine. These words related to the events of their deliverance from Egypt in Exodus 12. Jesus likely recited these traditional words before telling the twelve to eat the bread. However, He added a newer interpretation to the eating of bread that provides an even greater deliverance—a statement about the bread being His body. In his letter to Corinth, Paul explains that the eating of bread during communion represents the broken body of Christ that endured inconceivable suffering and the tangible wrath of God (1 Cor. 11:23-24). Thus, in a most holy and reverent act, Christians are to follow Jesus’ example and remember this suffering when they take the bread. Jesus then took a cup of wine and blessed it to represent His blood forgiving sin. Traditionally, the drinking of wine represented various blessings to God for His deliverance, restoration, mercy, and covenant faithfulness to His people. In the Old Testament, blood sacrifice ratified covenants between parties (Ex. 24:8). However, Jesus adds that drinking the wine now represents a new covenant between God and His people through the soon-coming spilling of His blood on the cross. This is the last time Jesus will share in food and drink until He returns at the commencement of His eternal reign. Discussion Today, we read about Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial. The Passover feast traditionally ended with the singing of Psalms from the Hallel (Psalms 113-118, 136).[1] The Hallel simply means songs of praise—or ‘hallelujah.’ Following the feast and these praises unto God, Jesus took the remaining eleven disciples to the Mount of Olives. Remember, Judas fled the dinner after being called out for his betrayal (Jn. 13:26-30). Matthew writes, “30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31a Then Jesus said to them, ‘You will all fall away because of Me this night.’” These words likely shocked the disciples. Jesus had just told them many difficult things, including that one of them was a traitor (v. 21). This led to each grieving as they reflected on their loyalty (v. 22) before Judas’ betrayal had been revealed (vs. 23-25). Now, Jesus tells the remaining eleven that each one of them will fall away from Him. Notably, this falling away varies from the apostasy of Judas, but still includes a moment of complete faithlessness each will endure. Falling away literally translates to ‘one being made to stumble’, contrasting a positive response to faith.[2] Jesus declares, “31b For it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’” Jesus reveals that the remaining disciples falling away will fulfill prophecy. The prophecy comes from Zechariah 13:7, which says, “‘Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, And against the man, My Associate,’ Declares the LORD of hosts. ‘Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones.’” Notably, the entire passage does not seem Messianic, as the context refers to the striking down of false prophets in judgment (Zech. 13:1-9).[3] However, the principle of sheep scattering from a fallen shepherd applies as a representation of the divine Messianic shepherd.[4] Jesus recites this passage to predict how His sheep, the remaining eleven disciples, will scatter when He, the Shepherd, dies. This is a devastating truth that many of the disciples still cannot recognize, as they have ignored the reality of Jesus’ coming suffering throughout His ministry. Because of this ignorance, their falling away will not come from a fear of their personal safety, but their inability to grasp the purpose of Jesus’ suffering.[5] However, it is just hours away and the thought of its reality likely burdened them all. But Jesus’ prediction does not end in this abyss of fear and sorrow, as He adds, “32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” With this statement, Jesus does not lead the disciples blindly or leave them without hope. Although He will soon face immense suffering and death, He assures the eleven disciples that He will be raised from the dead and waiting for them in Galilee. Furthermore, it reveals the disciples falling away is temporary, as Jesus says He will meet them in Galilee. Thus, amid all the uncertainty and despair, Jesus provides them with the hopeful expectation that it will not last. But they remain blinded by the reality of their potential disloyalty and faithlessness, ignoring Jesus’ hopeful words. Peter once again gives Jesus pushback, saying, “33 Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.’” Notably, Peter has given Jesus pushback multiple times. Raising questions and concerns and even pushing back for clarity and understanding are fine. However, Peter does so out of arrogance and pride. He believes himself too good to fall away from Christ—even if everybody else falls away, Peter says he will not. In the past, Peter’s pushback resulted in Jesus rebuking him and even calling him Satan (Mt. 16:23). However, Jesus does not rebuke Peter this time. Instead, He corrects Him, saying, “34 Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Jesus reaffirms Peter will indeed deny Him—and do so thrice. The phrase ‘before the rooster crows’ was a common idiom, implying imminence.[6] Jesus uses this phrase to simply declare how Peter will deny Him three times in the coming hours. Notably, common ‘rooster crows’ signaled dawn or various period’s of the night with the most important crow happening at 1:30 a.m.[7] Some scholars note it was likely around 10:00 p.m. during this conversation.[8] In the end, Peter pushes back again and says to Jesus, “‘35 Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.’ All the disciples said the same thing too.” In a statement of great faith, each of the remaining eleven disciples declares they would rather die alongside Jesus than deny Him. However, no matter how faithful they believe they are, Jesus’ words are true. Eventually, each disciple will suffer and die for the gospel of Christ. But the time is not yet. It seems this coming moment of faithlessness will reveal to the disciples how they cannot have faith in their own strength. Only with their confidence in Christ and the help of the Spirit can they withstand whatever persecution and doubt comes their way. We start reading about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane tomorrow. Application The fact that each disciple will fall away from Christ cannot be understated. It is a hard truth to accept that many will permanently fall away from the faith in the end. I like to think that this is not yet happening. However, we have been in the time of the end for over two thousand years now, and societal decay and depravity in the church are as prevalent as ever. Many are ‘deconstructing’ and turning from Christ to the tickling of their ears. For many, this is a permanent falling away, leading to apostasy. For most others, they are facing an internal crisis between succumbing to their sinful desires or denying oneself for Christ. A modern term applying to this principle is ‘backsliding.’ Many proclaiming Christians have been there—even myself. It is a horrible period of doubt and self-inflicted soul wounds from spiritual negligence and sinful living. But this period of backsliding is never permanent. Each person struggling in sin has the opportunity to repent and turn back to Christ. Only in death is one who is unrepentant too far gone. For those who remain alive, there is always an opportunity to turn back to the Father and receive His grace. In the end, each of the disciples—outside of Judas—eventually repented for their faithlessness. In the same way, each of us can turn from our sinful backslidden-ness and turn back to God. As long as we draw breath, God’s loving mercy and grace pours over us if we put our faith in Christ. May we never ignore the reality of sin and how far a crumb of it can lead us astray into apostasy. May we repent when sin arises and turn back to Christ. May we seek to live holy and unstained from the world, so we do not succumb to sin and its evil temptations and ultimate wage of death. May we always remember the hope we have in Christ. May we praise, worship, honor, and glorify Jesus every day in all that we do while continually pursuing righteousness, holiness, and forgiveness as He forgave us. Looking Ahead Thank you for joining today’s daily Bible reading! Next, we read Matthew 26:36-38. I hope you join me! I have made commenting available, so please feel free to discuss the reading and ask questions. If you do not want to discuss publicly, you can reach out to me privately. We are on this journey together. References [1] Craig Keener, “IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition.” [2] R. T. France, “Tyndale Commentaries.” [3] Keener, “IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition.” [4] Ibid. [5] France, “Tyndale Commentaries.” [6] Keener, “IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition.” [7] France, “Tyndale Commentaries.” [8] Keener, “IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition.”
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