Scattered
Scattered
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Matthew 26:30
There are times when it seems like nothing is going right. There are times when we feel like we’ve slipped off the path and are struggling in the weeds. It is easy to think during these times that God isn’t near or that he’s lost us but God is more than we realize. His eye can see into the darkest corner of the world and into the deepest point. Just as Jonah learned in the belly of the fish, you simply can’t run away from God.
Jesus, as he looked forward at his sacrifice took a moment to see the future of his disciples as well. He painfully saw them scatter. He saw the fear that would grip them and how easily they would abandon him. They would scatter like sheep seeing a wolf attacking. He saw that there was nothing he could do except watch them go. It must has been hard to see that but he also never lost hope because he knew that wasn’t their end.
32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Matthew 26:32
Just like the disciples, there are times that we too will scatter from Jesus’ presence. At some point it is almost guaranteed to happen because of our sinful natures. When you read through the Bible, even the greatest heroes had their falls. But like the disciples, Jesus also sees beyond that point. He sees how we can come back to him and regain our faith and closeness. We must also see this. We must not get lost and trapped in the dark times. God will always put a door of escape when we need it.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Even when we do scatter, let us be ready to be found by our shepherd again.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto