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Throughout this class, we have explored Matthew’s use of how Old Testament prophecies point to Jesus. We’ll do that tonight (Matthew 26:31/Zechariah 13:7). However, tonight we also have the opportunity to see Jesus, the Messiah, has a prophet. In our passage, Jesus makes two prophecies.
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Throughout this class, we have explored Matthew’s use of how Old Testament prophecies point to Jesus. • We’ll do that tonight (Matthew 26:31/Zechariah 13:7). • However, tonight we also have the opportunity to see Jesus, the Messiah, has a prophet. • In our passage, Jesus makes two prophecies. • It’s no surprise, but both of His prophecies take place just as He had said.
In context, this is immediately after the Last Supper. • Jesus has just instituted the Lord’s Supper (vv 26-29). • Jesus and His disciples have sung a hymn and have gone out to the Mount of Olives (v 30). • Throughout Matthew 26, Jesus has predicted His coming death. • Verses 18, 21, 24, 28. • The disciples should have understood at this point.
In Luke (22:31-31) and in John (13:36-38), this conversation took place while Jesus and the disciples are still in the upper room. • Matthew and Mark both change the order. • The purpose of changing the chronological order seems to be to demonstrate the gravity of the situation. • Jesus knows that His time is at hand. • Even His closest disciples are going to desert Him.
Jesus’ arrest and the disciples’ desertion are very close – “this night.” • Jesus’ arrest would be a cause of offense/stumbling block for the disciples. • How did Jesus’ arrest cause the disciples to stumble? • Do people still stumble because of Jesus? • Do we sometimes stumble because of Jesus? • How might we stumble because of Jesus? • How could we keep ourselves from stumbling because of Him?
Jesus uses Zechariah 13:7 to demonstrate that what is about to happen was known by God for all of eternity. • Sometimes the question is asked, “Did prophets prophesy because God knew what was going to happen, or did the prophecies come true because God caused them?” • It seems this is a case where we know that God used prophets to predict what would happen. • God wouldn’t cause someone to stumble.
This text certainly seems Messianic to its core. • The prophet speaks about the prevalence of apostasy, and that God will cut off about two-thirds of the land. • Yet, there will be a remnant (“one-third shall be left in [the land]” (v 8). • The disciples seem to form the core of the remnant who would remain. • Do the religious leaders of Jesus’ day stand for those who would apostatize?
When the Shepherd is struck, the sheep will scatter. • Why would the sheep scatter? • Why is a shepherd so important? • How is Jesus a shepherd? • “I am the good shepherd” (Jn 10:11). • “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Pet 5:4). • How do we follow Jesus as our Shepherd?
It’s interesting to note that Jesus here makes a prediction about what’s going to happen with the disciples. • Jesus has supernatural knowledge about what is to occur and how His disciples are going to act. • Does Jesus still have supernatural knowledge? • Does He know how you are going to act? • How should Jesus’ knowledge impact the way that we live?
Jesus promised that after he was raised, He would go before the disciples to Galilee. • Matthew 28:16-20. • This statement would give the disciples hope and direction. • Jesus wasn’t going to remain dead; He would be raised. • The disciples had direction/purpose. • They were to meet Jesus in Galilee. • From there, Jesus would send them all over the world. • Doesn’t Jesus still give us direction/purpose?
Peter boldly says that even if every other disciple stumbles because of Jesus, he never will. • Where did Peter get his arrogance? • What did his arrogance cost him? • What does arrogance cost us?
Before the rooster crows, Peter would deny Jesus three times. • What’s the significance of the rooster crowing? • The significance seems to be that Peter would deny Jesus that very night. • Rooster crow in the morning, and this discourse is likely taking place late at night. • We know that Jesus’ prediction took place just as He had promised (Matt 26:69-75).