Matt 26: 31-33 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee
33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Insight and Highlight
Exodus 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
Scripture Commentaries
Jesus prepared the minds of His disciples immediately after the Last Supper, saying all of them will be offended with Him and over the events that will soon mark His arrest, inhumane treatment, and His eventual death.
The word "offended" is translated "to desert", "to reject", "to turn against".
By Jesus' word, Jesus prepared His disciples and all believers of all ages that those who believe in Christ and that He is precious, will not be put to shame, but those who are disobedient, He becomes a Rock of offense, they stumble, fall away, 1 Pet 2:6-8
It would be a test of the disciples' faith but all the eleven failed, Judas having failed already. All their failings were appointed 1 Pet 2:8.
Matthew 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.
Jesus sadly said the shepherd will be smitten and the sheep will scatter.
Peter immediately responded saying, though others may be offended, he will not be offended or unmoved.
Jesus replied saying to him, he will be the first to deny Him.
Three times he denied Jesus, in His suffering, and at the most crucial hour he should be endorsing and associating with his Master, Jesus, ref Matt 26: 34-35.
Other disciples who also affirmed with Peter that though they should die with Christ, they will not deny Him, were nowhere to be found. They all, especially Peter, added more to Christ's sorrow, after three and a half long years of dwelling together.
Peter followed Jesus from "....afar off...", Matt 26:58.
We are often tested but we fail to remain one but choose the option to scatter.
Our offenses should be against Satan, not our Shepherd.
Remorse corner
Whom are you offended with, Jesus or Satan?
Instead of smiting the shepherd a second time, smite Satan over and over again, and comfort the Shepherd with words that will not add to His exceeding sorrow, ref Matt 26:38.
Call to Word action
Matthew 11:6– And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Satan must lose!
The Christian clarion duty
We must never be ignorant of the devil's devices. The Shepherd is Christ, the sheep are the disciples, who, at the sight of the officers coming to seize him, "all forsook him, and fled" (Matt 26: 56).
Prayer
Lord, help me when Satan strikes. Let me not lose my faith in You, let me not sin by forsaking You, in Jesus' name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day.
God bless you.
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