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.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”   But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Matthew 26:31 – 35

Things are moving toward a climax.  Jesus knew the path he must take and he also knew that his disciples could not possibly understand.  He, therefore, took the time to help them to believe.

First, he startled them by announcing that “This very night you will all fall away on account of me.”  After three long years, the faithful disciples will desert Jesus because, as he said, he, the shepherd, will be stricken so the sheep will scatter to try to survive. Not just some of them, but “you will all fall away on account of me.”  I note the word “all.”  I also note that Jesus said, “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”  He reminds them of his oft-repeated assertion that he will rise from the dead.

Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.  And all the other disciples said the same.”  Jesus knew they would and warned them about it.  He even told them that it would happen before the rooster announces the coming of the morning, in a few short hours.  By then they will have disowned him three times!

So, their resolve melted when Jesus was taken from them that night.  All hid themselves except for John who at some point joined the women.

I have no right to judge the twelve.  I, too, struggle with tension that exists between myself, a believer, and others who simply do not or will not believe!  I live with that tension – will do so my entire life.  For me, Jesus is my life, my breath, my all.  Everyone can know this if they believe!