Disturbing News

 1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
Matthew 26:1

 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.’[c]
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 “Truly I tell you,” 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.
Matthew26:31-35

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for your hope and a future"
Jer.29:11


In the midst of Jesus' last week before being crucified, as He poured into His disciples, He shared some disturbing news: not only would He be handed over to be crucified, betrayed by one close to Him, but the disciples would all flee in the moment of adversity, despite their own grand proclamations. This must've really thrown the men for a loop, and in fact Peter and the rest stated that they would never disown the Lord... Their proclamations would be blown apart that very night. At the moment of truth, in the face of adversity and evil, they caved in and ran away...how their hearts must've been broken, I'm sure that Peter was not the only one who wept bitterly at their failures.
But after Jesus' death, these broken men remembered Jesus' promise to be ahead of them in Galilee. He told them because although it went right over their heads at the moment they remembered later on... They understood that the Lord had plans for them, even scheduling a meeting in advance!
Beloved, even after setbacks, when situations arise when our love and resolve may be weak, when we are struck down and stumble, when we are broken and weep bitterly because of our failures, Jesus promises to go ahead of us, and meet us right we are at! He will never leave us or forsake us. His lovingkindness endures forever, broken and contrite hearts He will not despise,