The Scattering of the Sheep

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray, And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 26:36–41.

The conduct of the disciples at this crisis in their history, so weak and so unmanly, naturally gives rise to two questions: How should they have acted? and why did they act as they did- what were the causes of their failure? A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve, pg. 464.

In order to take up the first question today, we must begin to look at the teachings of Jesus just prior to this time. If they were to act with like violence, they would be in violation of Jesus teachings just before this time. Would they run away though? When the disciples asked Jesus how they should react to the coming party this is what happened;

When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 22:49.

It was too late though... Peter already reacted by cutting off the servant of the high priest' ear. 

"He had brought a sword with him, one of two in the possessions of the company, from the supper chamber to Gethsemane  thinking it might be needed, and fully minded to use it if there was occasions; and, coward as he proved himself afterwards among the serving-men and maids, he was no such arrant coward in the garden. He used his weapon boldly if not skilfully, and did some execution, though happily not of a deadly character." Bruce, pp. 465.

Jesus turned to Simon Peter as said;

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. “Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? “How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 26:52–54.

He could meet the human force by divine power if He wanted to do so, but we all know the reason Jesus did this was so the Scriptures would be fulfilled. He had to take the cup which the Father offered to Him and drink its contents to the end. 

Many times, we act and don't think. When Peter acted out of self-initiative he violated the opportunity to see the words of Jesus being acted out in their presence (as if they had control over it from the beginning). Many times today, Christians are acting out of their first reaction without considering what Scripture teaches. Will we act when trouble comes? Don't worry, trouble is always around the corner in this world, just wait long enough and you will see for yourself. How will we react when it comes though? Will we take the words of Jesus to heart in our lives or will we simply react without considering what the Scriptures teach? Will you be a Peter or a Jesus?

It all depends on how sold out we are when the time comes. Selling out means being totally obedient to the one you give yourself. And trust me friend the times are coming when it will be necessary to act...

How will you?