On Scattering-Lent 33, 2015

John 16:32 “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The problem with faith-of-little-depth is that it’s easily shattered and scattered.  Jesus knows this is where the disciples are headed.  He knows the path to the Cross will be a lonely one.  The very ones who need Him to go to the Cross will desert Him.  Right now, they’re With Christ in the Upper Room.  Soon they’ll want to be anywhere… but… to be seen with Him.

Only the One who sent Him to save the world would be with Him to the end.

Scripture will be fulfilled.  He has foretold this scattering so that when it happens, they won’t lose heart or have their fragile faith be broken beyond recovery.  Jesus says,

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Just at the time when Jesus might have wanted their reassurance of friendship and encouragement, He gives it to them instead.  He continues to show them the full extent of His love.

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Give it Up for Lent: Being embarrassed of Christ

Put it On for Lent: A cheerful heart that sees His victory

For further thought:

Read Matthew 10:24 “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law– 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

• How do we reconcile everyone falling away at the Crucifixion, but Jesus’ sure promise of His peace and overcoming even before that happens?  In what way does this anticipate their return to faith in Him?
• What’s the difference between denying as Peter would do and the disowning Jesus speaks of in Matthew 10:32-33 (immediately above)?

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