26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED.’28 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 29 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away, yet I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” 31 But Peter kept saying insistently, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing also.
Message: The Scattering of Sheep
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has just finished the Passover meal and Lord's Supper gathering with his disciples, announcing that one of them would betray Him, giving them bread and win – telling them His body is broken for them and His blood marks a covenant between Him and many people.
"After singing a hymn" - interesting. this is the first time that I have seen the mention of singing a hymn and this was probably a Psalm. they went out to the Mount of Olives - so they headed back to the spot they have been spending most of their time resting.
At this moment, Jesus quotes 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." Why does Jesus quote this passage from Zechariah? This is a passage that His disciples (Jews) would have understood at the time. Jesus is telling the disciples something about the future - his capture by Jewish officials and the Roman court - his interrogation - and eventually his crucifixion. Jesus is telling the disciples that Zechariah 13:7 is a prophecy about Him. For Jesus is saying - "you, my sheep will scatter." This means when Jesus starts getting accused, they will stop following Him. In the future, they will not abandon Jesus and eventually He will show in this passage how Peter will deny Him 3 times.
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus has just finished the Passover meal and Lord's Supper gathering with his disciples, announcing that one of them would betray Him, giving them bread and win – telling them His body is broken for them and His blood marks a covenant between Him and many people.
"After singing a hymn" - interesting. this is the first time that I have seen the mention of singing a hymn and this was probably a Psalm. they went out to the Mount of Olives - so they headed back to the spot they have been spending most of their time resting.
At this moment, Jesus quotes 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." Why does Jesus quote this passage from Zechariah? This is a passage that His disciples (Jews) would have understood at the time. Jesus is telling the disciples something about the future - his capture by Jewish officials and the Roman court - his interrogation - and eventually his crucifixion. Jesus is telling the disciples that Zechariah 13:7 is a prophecy about Him. For Jesus is saying - "you, my sheep will scatter." This means when Jesus starts getting accused, they will stop following Him. In the future, they will not abandon Jesus and eventually He will show in this passage how Peter will deny Him 3 times.
Yes - the priests and leaders put Jesus to death. They acted on their own evil purposes. But, God was behind it all -- as recorded in these words, "I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD." Jesus is the Shepherd. He will be struck down on the cross for the sins of mankind. Jesus will bear the wrath of God in order to save people from their sin. God's wrath will be fulfilled in Jesus. This will occur through the actions of Jewish leaders and yet still part of God's sovereign plan. Man is responsible for his actions and God is carrying out his purposes through man, thus He is sovereign. God works, but man is still responsible.
"AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED." ’But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.' This is also part of God's divine will. The sheep will go through a refining process. This happens in the life of Christians. Recently, I watched the movie "I'm not Ashamed." It was about Rachel Scott, a girl at the Columbine High School shooting in April 1999 in Colorado. It was about her life and specifically her trusting in Christ as Savior and Lord. But then after trusting, she returned to her lifestyle of dancing with danger. She had a mountaintop experience with God, followed by a valley and then a return to life lived in submission to God. But still she was killed. For some of us this happens in our life quite regularly. We are excited to live for God, but then we seek out our own way in matters, but eventually we come back to trust Him again. Yes, there is a scattering, but for those that are truly in Christ, they will return to Him -- to their true faith in Christ.
The remainder of this passage is the disciples believing at the time that falling away was not possible. They hear Jesus pronounce these words, but they try to show Jesus this won't happen. This is normal. "But Peter said to Him, “though all may fall away, yet I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” But kept saying insistently, “if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing also." Again, this is what we think. It's normal to think that at this high moment we are always going to live our lives in surrender to the Lord and will never compromise that position. But Jesus is clear, even to Peter, it will happen.
"AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED." ’But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.' This is also part of God's divine will. The sheep will go through a refining process. This happens in the life of Christians. Recently, I watched the movie "I'm not Ashamed." It was about Rachel Scott, a girl at the Columbine High School shooting in April 1999 in Colorado. It was about her life and specifically her trusting in Christ as Savior and Lord. But then after trusting, she returned to her lifestyle of dancing with danger. She had a mountaintop experience with God, followed by a valley and then a return to life lived in submission to God. But still she was killed. For some of us this happens in our life quite regularly. We are excited to live for God, but then we seek out our own way in matters, but eventually we come back to trust Him again. Yes, there is a scattering, but for those that are truly in Christ, they will return to Him -- to their true faith in Christ.
The remainder of this passage is the disciples believing at the time that falling away was not possible. They hear Jesus pronounce these words, but they try to show Jesus this won't happen. This is normal. "But Peter said to Him, “though all may fall away, yet I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” But kept saying insistently, “if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing also." Again, this is what we think. It's normal to think that at this high moment we are always going to live our lives in surrender to the Lord and will never compromise that position. But Jesus is clear, even to Peter, it will happen.
Question: Have I denied Christ in my life? Unfortunately yes, many times. People ask me about my weekend and what I did and often in my past I will not speak of church, my most important time of the week, but instead will talk about another activity. My most important time each day is my time with God in His Word but do I mention this to people at work who want to have nothing to with God. I often do not. And yet every Sunday I return to church, with other people, worship together and show my allegiance to God. It is safe at church, but am I always this same way as I live in the world?
Summary - Jesus has had the Passover meal with his disciples and then given the Lord's Supper and then returns to the Mount of Olives to talk to them about his divine appointment with death and then the scattering of the disciples and sheep. They will deny him. It will happen whether they think it will happen or not.
Promise: Though we think it is not possible to fall away, we can still. I need to remember this and forgive people's mistakes. Mistakes doesn't mean it's over, as redemption can still occur and often does.
Prayer: Lord, I am truly thankful for this study of Your word and really the study of Your life through the eyes of Peter as told to Mark. Thank you for the truth of your message and helping me understand terms like sovereign. God, your will is eternal and ordained, but I am still responsible for my actions. Thank you for redeeming mankind through the death of your son. Thank you for church and the sweetness of that time with You. I pray for people and that they would return to you - like my son and my father - I pray they would come back to the Son.
Summary - Jesus has had the Passover meal with his disciples and then given the Lord's Supper and then returns to the Mount of Olives to talk to them about his divine appointment with death and then the scattering of the disciples and sheep. They will deny him. It will happen whether they think it will happen or not.
Promise: Though we think it is not possible to fall away, we can still. I need to remember this and forgive people's mistakes. Mistakes doesn't mean it's over, as redemption can still occur and often does.
Prayer: Lord, I am truly thankful for this study of Your word and really the study of Your life through the eyes of Peter as told to Mark. Thank you for the truth of your message and helping me understand terms like sovereign. God, your will is eternal and ordained, but I am still responsible for my actions. Thank you for redeeming mankind through the death of your son. Thank you for church and the sweetness of that time with You. I pray for people and that they would return to you - like my son and my father - I pray they would come back to the Son.
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