578
The Desire of Ages
In His discourse to the disciples, Jesus made no mournful allusion
to His own sufferings and death. His last legacy to them was a legacy
of peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.”
Before leaving the upper chamber, the Saviour led His disciples
in a song of praise. His voice was heard, not in the strains of some
mournful lament, but in the joyful notes of the Passover hallel:
“O praise the Lord, all ye nations:
Praise Him, all ye people.
For His merciful kindness is great toward us:
And the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
Praise ye the Lord.”
Psalm 117
.
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After the hymn, they went out. Through the crowded streets they
made their way, passing out of the city gate toward the Mount of
Olives. Slowly they proceeded, each busy with his own thoughts.
As they began to descend toward the mount, Jesus said, in a tone of
deepest sadness, “All ye shall be offended because of Me this night:
for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock
shall be scattered abroad.”
Matthew 26:31
. The disciples listened in
sorrow and amazement. They remembered how in the synagogue at
Capernaum, when Christ spoke of Himself as the bread of life, many
had been offended, and had turned away from Him. But the twelve had
not shown themselves unfaithful. Peter, speaking for his brethren, had
then declared his loyalty to Christ. Then the Saviour had said, “Have
not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”
John 6:70
. In the
upper chamber Jesus said that one of the twelve would betray Him,
and that Peter would deny Him. But now His words include them all.
Now Peter’s voice is heard vehemently protesting, “Although all
shall be offended, yet will not I.” In the upper chamber he had declared,
“I will lay down my life for Thy sake.” Jesus had warned him that
he would that very night deny his Saviour. Now Christ repeats the
warning: “Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night,
before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice.” But Peter only
“spake the more vehemently, If I should die with Thee, I will not deny
Thee in anywise. Likewise also said they all.”
Mark 14:29, 30, 31
. In