The Shepherd's Mission

Mark 14:27-28 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
 
HOW would you feel if someone wrote in a book about 20 years ago that God would strike you with sudden death at the hands of your enemies? He would then scatter your family and friends as they hid from your enemies. Would you tell them? Maybe you would avoid talking about it, hoping God would change his mind. What would you do if that person also wrote you would rise again? Would you believe it, embrace it or run from it?
   About 500 years before Jesus’ stood before his disciples that night, God spoke through the prophet Zechairah 13:7 “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.” A physical sword cannot come awake. But the Father used the sword as an image of an instrument of death that will strike a man close to him – my shepherd. The people under the shepherd’s care will be scattered.
   Jesus is the Word made flesh. He knows his purpose is to die, so he can defeat death. His disciples will scatter briefly, hiding in fear of the Romans and the Temple Guard. The Word had spoken through the prophets to foretell his servant life, afflicted death and astonishing resurrection.
   Jesus did not hide from this prophecy, hoping the Father would change his mind. In fact he had spoken his destiny three times to his disciples. In the hours before his arrest, Jesus once more embraced his purpose. Jesus goes to Gethsemane to prepare to meet his betrayer and the evil he brings with him.  
   That’s the point he makes to his disciples. The sword – his death – is not the end, but a step toward their eternal union. “But after I have risen.” is his dynamic words of victory over evil and death. He says there will be  evidence of his resurrection promise: “I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Each word from the Word points us toward the Holy God’s revelation to draw you into eternal life. At this hour of grief before he is pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5a) Jesus remains the Good Shepherd, prepared to stricken by God, smitten and afflicted (Isaiah 53:4b). Jesus comforts and assures his disciples that the pain, grief and death brief. Then he will rise to meet up with them again in Galilee.
   The Good Shepherd meets his purpose. The Good Shepherd assures his flock. He wants them to trust him. They must know he is prophecy come true.