How faithful are we to Jesus? Everyone who has ever joined a Christian church has said the same sort of thing that Peter says in this passage, although perhaps not in as dramatic a fashion. We have all claimed Jesus as our Savior and bowed the knee to Him as our Lord. We have promised to follow Him, no matter what happens.

And then life happens. As the years go by, the disappointments mount up. A certain job or career evaporates. A special someone doesn’t think you are so special anymore. Loved ones depart and sicknesses show up. You wonder why God has let you go through so much suffering and loss. Perhaps you begin to wonder if He’s really there, or if He really cares.

That’s the same sort of thing that would happen to Peter and the rest of the disciples that night. They were eagerly anticipating the revolution against the Romans they were so sure Jesus would lead. And then when He allowed Himself to be arrested, when He refused to put up any sort of struggle, when it became obvious that He wasn’t going to change their material circumstances, giving them the power and glory they craved, they gave up on Him. We can understand that.

But what’s really amazing is that Jesus knew they were going to abandon Him that night. He knew it because He knew them, and because He knew the Scriptures which predicted their betrayal. And yet He chose to die for them anyway, in spite of their fickleness, in spite of their selfishness. Yes, Jesus died, not for His faithful friends, but for unfaithful rebels, for sinners like us.

So, no matter what our outward circumstances may be today, isn’t such unconditional, self-sacrificial love worthy of our trust? Isn’t the One Who died for sinners worthy of our love?

Mark 14:26-31 (ESV)

26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”
29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.”
30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”
31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.