If I Must Die

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
Mark 14:26–31
+
If I Must Die
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. We fear retribution. The Lord Jesus predicts his crucifixion one more and one last time. The accusers are at hand. The Shepherd will be destroyed. He will lay his life down. No one will take it from him. He has no fear of the nails and the spear. And then he will take it up again. The sheep will scatter, but he will call them anew in his resurrection. Not even the strong lipped Peter will be able to withstand the fear and consequence of the events about to unfold. Nonetheless, Jesus has Peter and you in his hand. He must die for you and rise again. That is exactly what he does. Jesus died for you and he rose again for your salvation. You have conquered Satan in the blood of Jesus. This victory, that Jesus won on the cross, is your victory. You have been granted the spoils in your Baptism. Thanks be to God!