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.”
34 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
Ah, isn’t it so true that those who are the most confident in themselves, in their own strength and stability often fall the soonest and the foulest? When we say such things as: “I would never do” such and such - beware believer - as we are setting ourselves up for just such as that. We are the least safe when we are the most arrogant in our own abilities and feel smug and self-assured. God has a way of kicking the props out of our false security. He is the only One on whom we can rely. Every temptation can be met and endured if we depend upon God Who is forever faithful and Who always provides us with a door of escape when tempted. It is no wonder Paul admonishes us in 1 Corinthians:
12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor 10:12-13 (NIV)
"Always remain alert to the fact that where one man has gone back is exactly where anyone may go back." Oswald Chambers
“Confidence in the natural world is self-reliance; in the spiritual world it is God-reliance.” Oswald Chambers
Proverbs also tells us that pride leads to disgrace yet humility leads to wisdom:
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Prov 11:2 (NIV)
God also hates pride as it always sets us up for a fall. Scripture tells us confidence and trust in ourselves leads to our destruction:
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Prov 8:13 (NIV)
18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Prov 16:18 (NIV)
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Prov 18:12 (NIV)
I feel pretty sure if Pete were here with us now he would “Amen” these verses from Proverbs! The Lord Jesus in our Scripture today was giving His guys a warning of their forthcoming actions as well as hope of His assured resurrection. He quotes the prophecy from Zechariah which was about to be fulfilled – the Shepherd was going to be struck and the sheep scattered yet Peter would have none of that. Indeed, all the disciples were clueless to the fact that they would not have the courage to cling to Christ in His hour of need. Even they whose hearts are upright can be overtaken in an hour of trial and temptation. That’s why Jesus tells them in Gethsemane to watch and pray for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Jesus again prophesizes that Peter would disown Him three times – Words Peter could not bear to hear or believe. Once our feet start to slip it is hard to recover our standing again.
“Life isn’t about controlling things – but about letting God control you.” Ann Voskamp
Surely, we can all relate to Pete. This serves as a heads-up for us as well. We are to be watchful and prayerful and not willing to go in our own pathetic power or slight strength.
“Those who know God will be humble. Those who know themselves cannot be proud.” John Trapp
“What makes humility so desirable is the marvelous thing it does to us, it creates in us a capacity for the closest possible intimacy with God.” Monica Baldwin