24.194 | YOU WILL ALL FALL AWAY | Mark 14:26-31 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 14:26-31 (ESV)

26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.

YOU WILL ALL FALL AWAY

After their Passover feast at the Upper room, they returned to the Mount of Olives, where they have spent every night this week (see Luke 21:37). The garden sits on the west side of the Mount of Olives, at the intersection of two roads that come east out of Jerusalem.

Then, Jesus pronounced that they will all fall away. The phrase "fall away" is taken from the Greek root word ‘skandalizo’. They will morally stumble and ultimately sin. This is the same term used to describe the rocky ground in the parable of the sower. In that parable, Jesus said, “The ones who, when they hear the word immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away" (Mark 4:16–17).

Surely, the disciples have heard Jesus' words and agree with them. But, their roots are still too shallow so that they will give in during trials and persecutions. Jesus has quoted Zech 13:7-9 that when the shepherd is stricken, the sheep will be scattered. Later, they will witness Jesus taken, as powerless lamb being tortured in a cruel and excruciating death. In fear, they will scatter like sheep when seeing a lion attacking their shepherd.

As the Good Shepherd, He knows His sheep. [John 10:14] The sheep know the good shepherd's voice and follow Him. Yes, they may scatter for a time, but those who belong to Jesus will always return to Him. Christians aren’t expected to be perfect, are we? As Psa 103:13-14 says,

“As a father shows compassion to his children,

so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

14 For he knows our frame;

he remembers that we are dust.”

Jesus will initiate to revive them. Jesus instructed to meet Him in Galilee after He will be ‘raised up’. Later on, we will know that Jesus met with seven of the disciples on the Sea of Tiberias, otherwise known as the Sea of Galilee (read John 21). While there, Jesus restores Peter also (John 21:15–19).

Among them, Peter rejected Jesus’ warning. He must be sincere but overly confident to trust his own heart. Jesus warns Peter that Satan has asked to "sift him like wheat" (Luke 22:31). But Jesus prays that although Peter's courage may fail at this time, his faith won't, and that Peter will be able to use this experience to give courage to the other disciples (Luke 22:32). During the Pentecost, the restored Peter has no fear of the religious leader anymore. He preached the gospel to a multitude gathered in Jerusalem. That day, about three thousand people will hear his message and believe in Jesus (Acts 2:14–41). Indeed, no failure needs to be final.

Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast

-------------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

#gospellightfilipino

#godswordfortoday

#bookofMark