DISCOURSE: 1403
CHRIST FORSAKEN BY HIS DISCIPLES
Matthew 26:56. Then all the Disciples forsook him, and fled.
NEXT to the presence of God, there is nothing so comforting in affliction as the sympathy of friends. The kind offices of those we love afford us tenfold pleasure in those seasons when trouble has depressed our spirits. On the other hand, the unkindness of professed friends is a most painful aggravation of any sorrow which we may be called to endure. The accumulated losses of Job were sustained by him with a holy fortitude and resignation: but, when he found that he was forsaken by his dearest friends, and that they from whom he might have expected pity became his vehement accusers [Note: Job 19:13-14.], he could no longer suppress the painful feelings of his mind. It must also have been a bitter ingredient in our Saviour’s cup, that in the hour of his extremity he was abandoned by his own disciples, who were bound by every tie to follow him even unto death. We cannot even read the record in our text without a mixture of indignation and grief. It forces however upon our minds many profitable reflections, some of which will serve as the basis of our present discourse.
I. How weak is the resolution of fallen man!
[Man, as originally formed by God, was capable of carrying into execution whatever his judgment approved or his will decreed: but it is far otherwise with us in our present state. Any one who had heard the firmness with which the Disciples expressed their determination to cleave unto their Lord, and “to die with him rather than deny him,” would have supposed it impossible that their resolution should be shaken. But behold, in the time of trial they all forgot their vows, and fled from him with precipitation and terror. The intrepid Peter, the beloved John, the bold and ambitious James [Note: Mark 10:38-39.], are weak as the rest of their brethren.
The resolutions which we also form on particular occasions appear immoveable. How earnest are many, when lying on a bed of sickness, to redeem their time; and how determined, if ever they should recover, to devote the remainder of their lives to God! — — — Yet they are no sooner restored to health than they go back to their former habits and companions, and leave to a distant period the performance of their vows — — — It is thus also with many after an awakening discourse: they see how vain it is to render unto God a mere formal or hypocritical service; and they resolve that henceforth they will offer him an undivided heart — — — But their hearts are not steadfast in the covenant which they make; and their lives are little else than a series of reformations and declensions without any solid improvement in the divine life — — —]
II.
What great evils are even good men capable of committing!
[That the Disciples were good men is certain; for our Lord himself had recently testified, that “they were clean through the word which he had spoken to them.” But their conduct on this occasion was most base and shameful. What ingratitude were they guilty of in forsaking their Lord, when their presence might perhaps be of most essential service to him! Jesus had conferred innumerable benefits on them: and it was for them that he had exposed himself to these cruel persecutions. Yet how do they requite his kindness? They have a peculiar opportunity to render him most essential service. From their long and constant attendance on him, they above all were qualified to answer any accusations which might be brought against him; and by their united testimony might perhaps prevail against the clamours of his enemies: but they, occupied only about their own safety, refuse him the important aid which they were able to afford, and leave him unprotected in the hands of his bloody-thirsty enemies.
The unbelief also which they manifested on this occasion was highly criminal. They had been repeatedly told by Jesus that, after his death and resurrection, he would meet them in Galilee. This was equal to a promise on his part that they should be preserved. Moreover, at the very time when he was apprehended, he said in their hearing, “If ye seek me, let these go their way.” This ought to have been regarded by them as a certain pledge of their security. But so completely were they overcome by fear, that they could not think of safety but in flight.
We mention not these things to make any man think lightly of sin. Sin is a dreadful evil, in whomsoever it is found; but most of all in those who profess godliness. And we notice it in the Disciples, only that we may put all persons on their guard against it — — — and to make them sensible to whom they are indebted for the measure of steadfastness they have hitherto been enabled to maintain — — —]
III.
How desirable is it to have just views of Jesus Christ!
[Our blessed Lord forewarned his Disciples that their desertion of him would originate in their misconception of his character and office: “All ye shall he offended in me this night.” They had seen their Divine Master controlling the very elements themselves: from whence they had concluded him to he the true Messiah. But, now they behold him bound, and led away by an armed band, they begin to think that all their former notions were false, and that the expectations which they had founded on his numerous miracles were delusive. Jesus seemed to them now to be like Samson after his locks were cut: he was become weak as other men. Hence they could no longer repose any confidence in him, but fled like sheep without a shepherd.
And is it not thus with the ungodly? Wherefore do they despise Jesus, but because they know neither his power nor his grace? — — — Must we not trace to the same source also the desponding fears of the contrite, Surely, if they knew how able and willing Jesus is to save them to the uttermost, they would commit their souls to him without doubt or fear — — — We may add also, respecting the godly themselves, that if they had brighter discoveries of his glory and excellency, they would be more ardent in their love to him, and more diligent in his service — — — We may say of all, as of those who crucified our Lord, that “had they known him (more thoroughly), they would not have acted thus and thus towards him.”]
From these reflections we shall be naturally led to suggest a word of,
1.
Warning—
[Some take up a profession of religion hastily, because they do not expect persecution, and others because they do not fear it. But it becomes us to guard against inadvertence on the one hand, and self-confidence on the other. Let not any imagine, that it is an easy thing to be a Christian; or that they can follow Christ aright without having a cross to bear. We must all, in some measure at least, “drink of the cup that our Divine Master drank of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was baptized with:” and therefore we should “prepare our hearts for temptation.” To every one, therefore, that desires to be a Christian, we would say, “Count the cost;” “lest after having begun to buiid, you be not able to finish.” To those who are bold and confident in their profession, our warning must bear a different aspect: “Be not high-minded, but fear.” Surely when we behold all the Disciples, after such vehement protestations of fidelity, forsaking their Lord in his utmost extremity, we have reason enough to be “jealous over ourselves with a godly jealousy.” While we “think we are standing firm, we should take heed lest we fall.” We should maintain in our minds a constant sense of our proneness to sin; and cry daily and hourly to God, “Hold up my going in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.”]
2. Encouragement—
[The failure of such persons as our Lord’s Disciples might well cause us to despond, if we had not a firmer foundation to build upon than any resolution of our own. But we have the word and oath of Jehovah for our support: he has said, “I will never leave thee, never, never forsake thee.” This promise was fulfilled to our blessed Saviour, when he was deserted by all his friends [Note: John 16:32.]. It was accomplished also on behalf of the Apostle Paul, when he was in circumstances nearly similar [Note: 2 Timothy 4:16-17.]. And we also are warranted to expect the same Divine aid and consolation, whenever our necessities peculiarly require it [Note: Isaiah 43:2.]. Let us then, whilst we are weak in ourselves, “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Only let our trust be in him; and then we need “not fear, though an host should encamp against us,” or though earth and hell should conspire to destroy us. “The grace of Christ shall be sufficient for us,” “nor shall any thing prevail to separate us from his love.”]