Pride Comes Before A Fall

In fact, Matthew (26:28), Mark (14:24) and Luke (22:20) left it quite late, the beginning of the end – on the way to Jerusalem, to let the disciples and the world know of the key to the forgiveness of sins even though it was hinted early in John (6: 53). Now there would be no secrecy, mystery, guessing, vagueness or uncertainty. Later Paul the theologian and the writer of Hebrews reiterated that our sins were forgiven through His blood (Eph 1:7, Col 1:14, Heb 9:22). However, the disciples missed the forest for the trees, reacted with sadness and not joy, and failed to ask why He sounded positive and not sad.

After the resurrection, Jesus will send his disciples out to preach in his name to all nations the same message of repentance and forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47).

Be Passionate, But Do Not Be Provoked

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “’I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” (Matt 26:31-33)

A Bible class teacher was examining her pupils after a series of lessons on God’s omnipotence. She asked, “Is there anything God can’t do?”

There was silence. Finally, one lad held up his hand. The teacher disappointed that the lesson’s point had been missed, asked resignedly, “Well, just what is it that God can’t do?”

“Well,” replied the boy, “He can’t please everybody.”

Peter’s idea of the Messiah was far unlike Jesus’, but he kept his thoughts to himself, kept his mouth shut and did not react to Jesus until Jesus moved from asserting “one of you will betray me” (v 21) to “you will all fall away on account of me” (v 31). Things went downhill and Peter was sour when Jesus went from “one of you” to “you will all.” Peter was provoked: “Wait a minute, that’s a serious charge. Why drag me into this? Why lump me with the traitor?”

“Fall away” is the Greek word skandalizo (scandalize). The Greek text is “All of you shall be offended ‘in’ me.” You will be ashamed. You will stumble. You will be disillusioned. By this time, Peter was upset and self-righteous. This is not the first time the word skandalizo was used; it has an interesting history. It was used previously to describe Jesus’ hometown folks who took offense at him (Matt 13:57) and on the Pharisees who were offended by his teachings (Matt 15:12). Peter was pretty steamed. Not only was he accused and lumped with those who would betray him (such as Judas), now he was in the same category with the neighbors and the Pharisees who rejected him.

Note that Jesus was addressing the disciples as a group, Peter included, and not just the apostles, but the other disciples and the whole wide world. He predicted “All of you will fall away,” but Peter heard: “You will fall away.”

Peter’s declaration of loyalty was a sure and sore subject in the gospels. The Greek record is richer: “Though all shall be offended in you, I never be-offended.”