I Will Strike The Shepherd

Mark 14: 27 "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written:" 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'

         The quote in Matthew 14:27 comes from Zechariah 13:7. And to understand the context read through verse 9 of Zechariah 13. The words of prophecy is fulfilled for all the world to see in Jesus Christ. The impact of the death of Jesus is also prophesied.  Those who did not listen closely to what the "Teacher" was teaching, missed the part about His returning in three days.  Sadly many failed to get the message and ran away in despair. 

         The same condition holds true for many weak-in-faith believers today.  All too often adversity sets in, a personal tragedy takes place and the weak fall away.  They scatter like sheep without a shepherd. The tragedy is two fold in nature. The words of Zechariah 13:7-9 make it clear we will have events in our lives that area used to refined us and there is a purpose to the refining process. "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" Declares The Lord Almighty. "Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones. In the whole land," declares The Lord, "two-thirds will be struck down and perish.; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'

         In the midst of trial and tragedy we call out to The Lord comforted by the sure and certain knowledge that He hears our cries. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Father, Abba, in times of trial and testing we are tempted to fall away. We may feel anger in our situation and our lack of control of that situation. Help us to have the faith to persevere and to stand firm in our faith. Let Your love surround us and keep us safe. We ask this in the name of our shepherd, Jesus Christ, Amen.