When you consider eternity, is your posture one of active pursuit, or is it one that barely moves? Do you stay up all night, or do you sleep easily? Is your chest forward boasting in oneself, or is it sunken, making its boast in God, realising that you can do nothing without him? The answers to all these questions will help answer the question that this article’s title asks. Are you one of the scattered sheep or urgently and diligently following the Shepherd?
In my study of Matthew, I gleaned from the text a story asking these questions. It occurs during the last supper between Jesus and his disciples (Matthew 26:30-35). It also happened when Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest (Matthew 26:36-46). The first includes the prophecy that informs the title of our article, which is quoted from Zechariah 13:7 (Matthew 26:31). The second shows us what little things cause the sheep to scatter.
The Scattering Sheep
The stage for our narrative is set in Matthew 26:31-32. They had just concluded the Last Supper and were heading out to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30). As they were doing so, Jesus told them that they would fall away and quoted Zechariah 13:7 to confirm his words.
The Sheep Scatter Due to Boastfulness
Before I go any further, what would be your initial reaction if you were there with the disciples? When you thought you had taken up your cross and denied yourself to follow Christ (Matthew 16:24-28), or as Peter said, ‘we have left everything for you’ (John 6:68), only for Christ to say you will choose yourself instead of him. How would you respond?
The disciples’ reaction only depicts a continual boast in themselves; that’s how stubborn we can be. I am sure most of us would like to tell ourselves that we wouldn’t act as the disciples did, as the disciples also thought. They stated that Jesus had the words of life (John 6:68). Therefore, once they heard what Jesus had to say, they should have inquired further about what he meant. They should have even pondered where they had failed in following Christ and that they would rather desert him than be associated with him. However, the response we get is anything but reflective. It is one filled with pride. Representing the disciples, Peter shows how pride can blind our eyes to the truth. What is the result of it? We think we are better than others, as Peter shows (Matthew 26:33). Worse is believing that we know better than God himself.
They Scatter for Thinking They Know Better than the Shepherd
Peter answers Jesus in a way that explicitly states that he thought he knew better. Unlike the last time when Peter deemed himself humble when, in truth, he was prideful, here the veil is gone. Peter told Jesus very arrogantly that, unlike the others, he could never think of such a thing. To answer him, Jesus said to him that he would deny him. However, nothing stirred Peter to wonder why this would be so or how to rectify it. In short, Zechariah’s prophecy was already happening. The sheep thought he could do it without the shepherd; now he is scattered. Is this us? Well-meaning brethren see what could be a sin issue in us, and we repeatedly ignore them and do nothing in response to their warnings? Saying that it could never be me. We compare ourselves to others and emphasise how it could never be us. You, dear saint, are slowly scattering yourself away from the shepherd.
They Scatter for Not Watching with Christ
However, the story doesn’t end there. We see the sheep scatter even more when Jesus goes to pray in the garden of Gethsemane. Satan demanded that he sift Peter like wheat (Luke 22:31). However, saying it was through no fault of his own would be wrong, as Matthew 26:36-46 states otherwise. Let me quickly paint the scene. Jesus and his disciples had gone to the garden of Gethsemane. He takes the trio of Peter, James and John to pray and watch with him (Matthew 26:36-38). However, the three end up sleeping (Matthew 26:40,43). Jesus repeatedly insists that they don’t sleep so they may not succumb to temptation (Matthew 26:41). However, despite being told to be vigilant, they do everything but that.
Now, what could have been avoided became inevitable. The disciples were quick to boast about their allegiance to Jesus, even if it meant their death. However, they couldn’t watch with him for one hour (Matthew 26:40). Zechariah 13:7 played out in real-time in that when Jesus was arrested, the disciples fled (Matthew 26:56). Jesus’ prophecy also played out in real-time when boastful Peter was broken after denying Jesus three times (Matthew 26:66-72). In short, from all these, we see the sheep scatter when they can’t look past themselves and fix their gaze on Christ.
Dear saint, from reading this, have you gleaned something about your life whereby you haven’t fixed your eyes on Christ? Speak to a fellow believer or pastor (elder) to help keep you accountable so you may not drift away (Hebrews 2:1).
The Steadfast Shepherd
However, in the same story, we see that Jesus remains steadfast even though our flesh and hearts fail (Psalm 73:26). He could sympathise with man’s weakness as he was beset with it (Hebrews 4:15). It is for this reason that he turned to God in prayer (Matthew 26:36-38). He didn’t boast in Himself despite having every right to do so (Philippians 2:6). Instead, he rested in his Father’s will (Matthew 26:39). Despite being God in the flesh, he knew that the only way to remain steadfast is by turning to his Father. Because of this, he made it his practice to do it daily (Mark 1:35). Looking past himself and trusting God enabled him to remain steadfast to the point of death on the cross so that scriptures may be fulfilled (Matthew 26:56; 27:32-44).
Christ willingly laid down his life for his sheep so they may have life (John 10:11-18). He chose to remain awake, knowing that he would rest later (Matthew 26:45). And for that reason, we can confidently approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16; 12:1-2). Therefore, for us not to scatter, we are called to consider him who struggled against sin to the point of shedding blood (Hebrews 12:3-4). In light of his steadfastness, we are called to strengthen ourselves in God (1 Samuel 30:6, Hebrews 12:5-17).
Though the Sheep Scatter, The Shepherd will Bring Them Back
Since our Shepherd remained steadfast despite our flesh and hearts failing, he remains our strength and portion forever (Psalm 73:26). The Shepherd who laid down his life for us will surely not cast us out (John 6:37). He will call out to us, and since we know him we will come back to him (John 10:14-18). We are also assured that he will seek out those who scatter. As the parable goes, he will leave the 99 to bring back to the fold the one who is lost (Luke 15:1-7). Yes, the context of this parable applies to sinners, but it could also apply to his own, who are often prone to wander. This isn’t a license to sin. Instead, we are to hold fast for he is faithful (Hebrews 10:22-23).
Peter fits perfectly in this narrative because we see him in the more extended account of Jesus’ prophecy of his denial (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus promised him that even though Satan would sift him like wheat, his faith wouldn’t fail. Why? Because Jesus himself prayed for it (Luke 22:31). Even now, Jesus is interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). In Peter’s case, Jesus not only prayed for him but also reassured him that he was his. Peter was so distraught by his denial that only Jesus could reassure him (John 21:15-19). I would argue that Jesus asked Peter thrice if he loved him to counter the three times Peter denied him. Afterwards, Jesus gave Peter the same command as when he prophesied the denial.
Dear saint, consider how much the Shepherd cares for his sheep. Though they scatter from him, he goes out of his way to bring them back. Once he brings us back, it isn’t for us to scatter again but to press on for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ.
