And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
Comment: There are some aspects of self-confidence that are good. In this instance Jesus alone understood the horrific events which were to befall Him. He warned the disciples that it would be too much for them and that they would (to a greater or lesser degree) all forsake Him. Knowing His love for His disciples, He probably said this to let them know that after their failure they were still His people. In other words, at least in retrospect, they would be able to see how greatly He knew them. Peter here was a bit more than self-confident. He was into the cock-sure realm. But note that he was not alone for it is recorded ‘And they all said the same.‘ They were no doubt sincere for they really loved their friend/rabbi/teacher/Messiah, but they were human, as we are. And we can rest in the confidence that Jesus will ‘take us back’ if and when we fall, for He is the One who has experienced humanity to the full and is on our side. We, not He are the ones who choose to walk away!
Prayer: Help us not to fall, but when we do, help us to turn back contritely and quickly to You, Gracious Father.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. O how easy it is to fall! O how easy it is to say we will or will not, do something. But how hard it is to follow through and do what we said we would do, or not do, as the case may be. We are so weak on our own. We need the help of our Saviour, and we need His Holy Spirit within us to strengthen us. God bless. you.
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