And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 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.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
The path of humility often looks more like humiliation. I know that Peter, and the other disciples, truly believed that they would fight to the death with Jesus. Yet they were totally unprepared for the testings that would soon come. Within an hour or so these tough guys would see Jesus surrender to the religious authorities. These who wanted to do fleshly battle were not ready to wage war on their knees. Humility was knocking at their door.
To these the Lord Jesus speaks of how they will all fall away and run when the shepherd is struck. I think that Peter speaks for all of them when he vehemently denies what the Lord predicts that he will do. How could it enter his imagination that he would deny his friend? Such is the way of boastful bravado. Such is the path of humility. Peter is never the same after the rooster crows. His humbling is one that we must understand and take to heart.
I am nothing Lord. You are everything. Help me to walk in humility today.
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I find no temptation in myself more common then the one that says I can handle situations and stand for God based on my own commitment and determination, rather then seeking help from Him. May God protect me from this attitude.
ReplyDeleteThe cost of humility is high Mike. It is often embarrassing and painful. Yet it is so needed in our lives.
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