The Danger of Over-Promising and Under-Delivering - Matthew 26:31-35

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

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.’ 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. 

As we continue with the details of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples, we have just seen the treachery of Judas, who betrayed Jesus for a mere 30 pieces of silver.  Now Jesus informs the disciples that in actuality all of them are going to betray him.  Their betrayal had already been foretold in the Zechariah 13:7 Though they will betray him, Jesus says after he has risen, he will go ahead of them to Galilee. I am sure these predictions left the disciples pretty confused. 

Peter does not understand the reality of what is about to happen and the dire straits he will be in.  He impulsively makes a bold statement, "I will NEVER fall way from you!" Any time we say "never" as a human being we are on "thin ice".  Matthew says something similar in Matthew 5:37, "Let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no", anything beyond that is from the devil."  We as human beings have a tendency to overestimate our abilities and underestimate our frailities.  We fall into the trap of "over promising" and "under delivering".    

"Jesus said it so clearly to Peter. “Peter, you will be made to stumble. You will forsake Me, your Master. You will do it this very night – before the rooster crows. You will deny that you have any association with Me, or even know Me. And you won’t only do it once; you will do it three times.” “Was not this warning enough to him not to trust in his own strength, but to depend on God?” (Clarke)

Peter undeterred by Jesus' prediction, he tells him that he will not only not betray him but he is going to be willing to die for him.  Little did Peter know how much his resolve would be tested over the next 24 hours.  Little did he know after Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus would call upon him lead the charge to make disciples of all nations.  We have to credit Peter for his passionate plea to be there for his Master, yet we all know how this will end. 

Interestingly we don't hear a lot about the other disciples' responses, but Matthew adds as a footnote, "All the other disciples did the same."  So even though Peter gets "top billing" for his colossal failure to honor his promise, the other disciples deserve equal blame for their own betrayal of Jesus.  

How do you identify with Jesus?  Are you someone who tends to make statements you can't back up?  What do you think Peter's motives were in making his bold statement?  How does our pride get in the way when we overcommit ourselves?  Where do you need to work on your "yes" being "yes" and your "no" being "no"?  



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