“…so said all the disciples."

Today’s gospel reading is Matthew 26:26-35. The last supper,  Jesus’ prophesy that the disciples will “all become deserters,” and Peter’s declaration (v. 34), “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.”

Then verse 35, “And so said all the disciples.” 

Peter gets the bad rap. He’s the one quoted in the gospels. But, “So said all the disciples”! They all promised fidelity. And then they all panicked and ran for cover.

Growing up, I heard the stories from the Bible as stories happening to other people. The Israelites crossed the Red Sea, wandered in the wilderness, disobeyed God, and complained when manna became a boring staple. Samson became proud and arrogant. The disciples tripped over each other, argued, and missed the point many times. Then there were the Pharisees and Sadducees. Terrible ones, they. Sure, there were stories about people doing the right thing—Miriam hiding her baby brother, Ruth sticking by Naomi, Rahab protecting the spies, John the Baptist prophesying, even the disciples managing, on occasion, to figure things out.

But always I saw these as stories about other people in other times. Sure we were to learn from their examples, but the stories were about the other. They were someone else’s stories.

Chalk it up to ignorance, immaturity, “seeing through a glass darkly.”

I don’t know that I’m any smarter or mature (aged, yes). And my eyesight continues to deteriorate with the passage of time. But God in Her and His graciousness helped me to see that these are my stories also.

So when Peter and the disciples promise that they will stick by Jesus no matter what, I am there. It’s not just that I make those promises, then run for cover when exhaustion, pride, frustration, and life challenge me to a “double-dog-dare.” I am there with that group of brothers in the middle of the night. I stand with the whole lot and promise, “I will not deny you.” I am implicated. Those are my words, too.

But that doesn’t keep Jesus from loving me, from coming back and extending grace and love. Even days later, when I don’t recognize Him, Jesus walks with me on the road.