Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 22 : 31-34 ; Matthew 26:30-35 "THE STUMBLING OF THE DISCIPLES PREDICTED"
Day 287 – Luke 22
Text: Luke 22 : 31-34 ; Matthew 26:30-35
THE STUMBLING OF THE DISCIPLES PREDICTED
Jesus was preparing His Disciples for the fact that they would stumble at this test that Satan was going to set for them. He would indeed sift all the Disciples. The weapon that he was going to employ may be called “Fear”.
Matthew offers another important perspective in our search for a clearer picture of what Jesus taught. He wrote,
“Then Jesus said to them,
‘All of you will be made to stumble
because of Me this night,
for it is written:
“I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ ‘”
Matthew 26:31
It was in this context, of predicting the stumbling of the Disciples that Jesus warned them that the striking of the Shepherd, prophesied in the Scriptures, allowed by God, was in fact fueled by the Devil himself. It was Satan who asked that Christ’s Disciples be allowed to undergo the full test!
OVER-CONFIDENCE CAN PROVE TO BE OUR UNDOING
Peter’s answer to Jesus may be said to be “typical” of the way this disciple would react. He said,
“Even if all are made to stumble because of You,
I will never be made to stumble. ” Matthew 26:33
“Lord, I am ready to go with You,
both to prison and to death. ” Luke 22:33
This was not just “self-confidence”. This was really “over-confidence” on the part of Peter and his fellow disciples (Cf. Matthew 26:35).
Peter literally contradicted what Jesus had said. He may have meant well. His heart may have told him that he would always stand by his Master. However, he had not reckoned with the kind of assault that Satan would hurl against him.
The over-confidence of Peter had to be dealt with. If it was not dealt a death-blow, it could lead Peter’s undoing years later.
What was the best way to deal with the problem of over-confidence? Jesus was going to allow Peter and the rest of His disciples to undergo Satan’s work of sifting, or shaking them up. They may have to experience humiliation, but at the end of the test, they would be able to strengthen others.
THE DENIAL OF PETER PREDICTED
Imagine the terrific tension that must have been there as Jesus spoke to His Disciples about how ALL of them will stumble. Jesus made His remark of their stumbling because of two main factors.
1. The Scriptures had already foreseen and predicted that when the Shepherd was struck down, the flock would be scattered (Zechariah 13:7).
2. Jesus knew His Disciples far better than they knew themselves. He knew that they loved Him and their faith in Him was genuine. However, there were many other “parts” of their lives that were still weak. There were areas in their life that needed further corrective work. Some of these lessons could not be learned “theoretically”. They had to be tested so that their true worth could be seen and validated.
Jesus was not moved by the emotive outburst from Peter and his friends. They claimed that they would always be true and loyal to their Master! Despite their words of protest, Jesus solemnly said,
“I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day,
Before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
Luke 22:34
Jesus was not about to quarrel with His Disciples on this night of nights! They had just celebrated the Passover together. They had sung and prayed together. Jesus had washed the feet of His Disciples. So many important truths had been imparted and all of them required deep reflection.
The statement of Peter’s denial was so specific. He would certainly deny Jesus. He would do it all within one night. He would deny Jesus three times before dawn broke with the crowing of the rooster. What humiliating words these were! How could Jesus have said them? How did Peter feel as he listened to the solemn prediction of Jesus?
An over-confident man would not be fazed by what others say. He would dismiss all opinions contrary to his own conviction. Peter did not want, and did not dare to argue with Jesus. He knew better than to do that. Nevertheless, in his heart, he must have felt that he would prove his worth. He would show to Jesus and his fellow disciples that he would not falter and fail! How unimaginable and unthinkable to leave their Master in the lurch by fleeing!
LOOKING BEYOND ALWAYS
Peter and his disciples must have felt a little miffed by what Jesus had predicted. However, Jesus was already looking beyond their dismal failure. What a Saviour!
“When you have returned to Me,
strengthen the brethren.”
Luke 22:32
The Disciples may be scattered, but that would only be for a little while. They would come to terms with their betrayal. In humility they would return to Jesus. They would have learned deep and wondrous lessons about the Lord and about themselves. They would be in a very strong position to teach others later on.