A Scattering

A Scattering

“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.” 
“I tell you the truth,” 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
Here Jesus predicts that Peter will disown him as will all the disciples. It happened.
Even though the disciples had sat under the teachings of Jesus they still didn’t have a full understanding of who he was.
They saw things strictly in the here and now. Strictly in a mortal way. They didn’t appear to understand the spiritual. And if you think about it who could.
Jesus was about to die. But the grave would not hold Him. He would rise again and go on to ascend to heaven.
The disciples had no concept of such things. Thus when Jesus was arrested they feared as anyone would do, being arrested also.
I think we today would do the same thing.
The key here however is that they came back together. They ultimately assembled in a locked room for fear of the Jews (John 20:19), and Jesus appeared to them there.
These men and women that followed Jesus may not have been able to comprehend what was to happen to Jesus prior to the crucifixion but they would learn quickly.
They learned that Jesus was all he said he was the Son of God.
These nervous and fearful people who hid in a locked room would tarry briefly in Jerusalem, receive the Holy Spirit and go on to change the world. Without the need of force.
These men and women were true Christians who shunned violence and hatred and in so doing have taken their beliefs, their faith to the far corners of the world.
Think about it.