Gospel Reading Matthew 26:26-35
Matthew 26:26-35
26While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” 34Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.
We know how the story ends. Peter makes a promise that he can’t keep. “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” The bluster of faith meets the reality of the challenge. There are somethings that we just don’t have the ability to face, no matter how much we wish it were otherwise. And that’s ok. No matter the challenge, the Savior picks it up for us, doing what we cannot do for ourselves. We may be scattered and dispirited—he’s already ahead of us in Galilee.
Help us to see you ahead of us, gracious God—that no matter the challenge of the way, your vision would sustain us, until we meet you, in Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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