The Assurance Of Salvation

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Matthew 26:31

On the night before His death, Jesus made this announcement: ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: “I will strike the Shepherd, and the…flock will be scattered.” But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee’ (vv. 31-32). Think about it! If the disciples who had spent three-and-a-half years or more walking and talking with Jesus, hearing His messages and seeing His miracles could stumble, then any of us can. ‘All of you will…stumble.’ But the promise was lost on Peter. ‘Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble’ (v. 33). This was not one of Peter’s finer moments. ‘Even if all…’ Arrogant. ‘I will never be made to stumble.’ Self-sufficient. Peter’s trust was in Peter’s strength. Yet Peter’s strength would peter out. Jesus knew it: ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren’ (Luke 22:31-32). Satan would attack and test Peter. But Satan would never claim him. Why? Because Peter was strong? No – because Jesus was. ‘I have prayed for you.’ And here’s a wonderful truth – Jesus prays for you too: ‘Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name…I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me’ (John 17:11, 20). Will God answer Christ’s prayer on your behalf? What do you think? Of course He will!

Prayer