Matthew Starner

Mark 14:26-31

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

It must have been so hard for Peter and the others to hear that they would fall away. They all believed that each one possessed the strength and courage to stand firm no matter what they would encounter. But Jesus knew better.

The problem lied in where the disciples thought their ability to stand firm came from. They looked within themselves. They thought it took their own strength, their own courage to hold on to Jesus, and when the time came, they were not strong enough. Their human nature got the best of them and they were overcome.

For it is not our strength that holds us steadfast, but his. Jesus knew that, and he also knew that his disciples didn’t fully understand. It had to be hard for them to hear it put to words, but Jesus knew if they looked to themselves, they wouldn’t let him hold on.

I think back upon my own life at all the times I felt it was completely up to me, and how quickly things fell apart. But the times I let Him take control and hold on, he pulls me through.

If we could only let go of our human pride and let him take over.