Matthew 26:31-35
What first attracted me to this passage were the words, “I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Why did Jesus say he would go ahead of his disciples into Galilee? I came up with five possible answers:
- Leaving Jerusalem would take the disciples out of hostile territory in and around Jerusalem.
- Walking to Galilee would get the disciples physically active. Physical active can dispel discouragement and distress.
- Returning to Galilee meant returning to familiar territory which would infuse relief.
- Meeting Jesus in Galilee would provide additional opportunities to show them he came back to life.
- Showing himself to them in Galilee would give him the opportunity to rally those who flat out failed him.
I will focus on the fourth and fifth possible explanations. Because Jesus went ahead of his disciples and met them in Galilee, there are three important applications for us.
Jesus Christ is trustworthy. Jesus’ remarks in the Upper Room came to pass—death, resurrection, and then the visit in Galilee. After the resurrection, the disciples realized that everything Jesus said occurred. They could trust him and they would trust him.
The disciples’ trust took time to mature. They trusted Jesus for three years. Their faith developed and deepened during that time, but they didn’t understand everything he taught. For example, they asked the Lord, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10ff)
The Gospels are clear that hindsight and the enlightening by the Holy Spirit helped the disciples to understand. For example, in John’s Gospel, we read, “After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.” (2:22) One more example is found in Matthew 16. Jesus and the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread with them. Jesus asked them, “Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many baskets you gathered?” (16:9)
Jesus’s words were fulfilled. The first part of his words were fulfilled in just a few hours. The disciples fled from the Garden. The second part about visiting together in Galilee occurred several days later. Jesus Christ spoke the truth. He is trustworthy and dependable. Like his disciples, Christ wants us trust him today.
Our Lord also wants to encourage us after flat out failing him. All the disciples flat out failed their Lord the night he was arrested. Look at verse 31. Jesus said they would all desert him. Peter didn’t accept this announcement, but it happened a few hours later in the Garden when the officials arrested Jesus. All the disciples fled, deserting their Teacher.
Verses 33-35 contain Peter’s brash declaration of unwavering loyalty even if his friends didn’t follow through like him. Peter didn’t understand the divine plan that was unfolding. He said if he had to die with Jesus, he would never disown his Lord. The other disciples chimed in with Peter. A short time later, they all fulfilled Jesus’ announcement.
Peter tried to salvage some dignity by following from afar when the mob that brought Jesus to the religious leaders. Peter didn’t expect an interrogation in the courtyard, but he got three. He didn’t handle the interrogations well with the loyalty he claimed. The rooster crowed, and Peter realized he had flat out failed to keep his word. He walked out of the courtyard and wept. He was a coward.
Today, such failings can send us spiraling into despair. In the movie Saving Private Ryan, Corporal Upham was the interpreter who cowered in fear and failed to shoot the large German prisoner known as Steamboat Willie when they met in the damaged building. The German resisted killing the corporal because Steamboat Willie considered him a coward. Upham carried that coward’s shame with him into the final battle in the movie. There, Upham gathered up his courage because he now understood Steamboat Willie wasn’t a good man. Steamboat Willie assumed Upham was still a coward. He found out Upham learned his lesson from his earlier failure. He redeemed himself at the bridge and helped save his buddies.
Christ redeems us from our flat out failures. When the Holy Spirit enlightens our minds, we see our sin that put Christ on the cross. God raised him from the dead to redeem us from our sin.
The Bible tell us Jesus used the words ‘forgive,’ ‘forgiveness,’ or ‘forgiven’ in only three places after his arrest. First, while upon the cross, he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). In my opinion, this prayer was first and foremost about those who crucified him. There’s a reason, however, we can apply the prayer to Peter and the other disciples. There’s a reason we can also apply it to ourselves. What is that reason? Some of Jesus’ final words in Luke 24:47 tell us, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.” So yes, Jesus forgave his disciples for flat out failing him. This good news is for us today when we flat out fail our Lord. Forgive and forgiven are also used in John 20:23 about the disciples forgiving or not forgiving. Let Christ come to you today and reassure you of his love, care, and acceptance.
Jesus Christ forgiveness transforms those weighed down with guilt and shame. This leads me to the third truth for us that the disciples learned by meeting with Jesus in Galilee.
Jesus Christ’s forgiveness transforms us into servants leaders. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the disciples ate a fish breakfast. When they were finished, Jesus singled out Peter and asked him three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15, 16, 17) Do you know what Jesus told him after answering each question? “Feed my lambs,” “Take care of my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.” What do these commands mean? “Peter, I want you to serve my people as their shepherd.”
A shepherd takes his sheep to pasture for food, protects them, leads them, gives them rest, and tends to their wounds. Peter received Jesus’ commission to shepherd his sheep after his flat out failure. He took care of them and fed them God’s word. Decades later, Peter wrote to church leaders, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers…” (1 Peter 5:2) Christ wants us to serve his people. Peter also told the whole church, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God grace in its various forms.” (4:10)
Jesus Christ wants us to take care of his people in and out of prison. We have the responsibility and privilege of shepherding men. Some of you are already doing this. Some of you will become pastors, teachers, and missionaries after you’re released. Doctors, mechanics, and construction workers take care of people and their needs. You’ll work with people and serve them. Jesus Christ wants you to care for people now whether they be dorm mates, family members, or friends. This is God’s purpose of us in and outside the prison. Jesus Christ’s transforming forgiveness energizes us to care for others. If Christ transformed us, he can transform others.
Matthew’s Gospel contains the second set of Jesus’ words to his disciples in Galilee. Verse 16 tells us they met on a mountain. The men worshiped Jesus but some doubted. (17) Which category are you in? Regardless, we read in v. 18, “Jesus came to them and said…” Jesus Christ is with us this morning whether we are his worshipers or we doubt he’s alive from the dead. He draws near to all of us this morning.
Jesus Christ went on to declare, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This authority gives him the right to send his disciples into the world. “Go and make disciples of all nations.” God’s forgiveness in Christ transforms us into men who serve others with the good news of Christ’s love for those who flat out failed their Creator and the Savior.
How can you go and make disciples of all nations while living in Walton Correctional Institution? First, ask the Lord for guidance. He is your Lord and he will show you.
Second, pray for your dorm members, activity members, officers, family members, and friends. Consider how large your circle of influence all these people represent.
Third, write out your story. Give a brief account of how you lived before trusting in Christ. Follow this with how you turned to God and trusted in Christ for salvation. Then explain how Christ has transformed you up to this time. Finally, after telling others your story, invite then to turn to God and trust in Christ.
At the beginning of this message, I told you that what attracted me to our passage were Jesus’ words, “I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” I gave you five reasons why He might have told his disciples this. I focused on two of the five reasons: to provide additional opportunities to show them he came back to life and to rally them after flat out failing him.
Trust Christ Jesus to go ahead of you as you care of others, and make followers of other men. He still wants you on his team in Walton Correctional Institution and outside the wire when you’re released.