Morning, March 27

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"Then all the disciples forsook him and fled."

  Matthew 26:56

   He never deserted them, but they in cowardly fear of their lives, fled
   from him in the very beginning of his sufferings. This is but one
   instructive instance of the frailty of all believers if left to
   themselves; they are but sheep at the best, and they flee when the wolf
   cometh. They had all been warned of the danger, and had promised to die
   rather than leave their Master; and yet they were seized with sudden
   panic, and took to their heels. It may be, that I, at the opening of
   this day, have braced up my mind to bear a trial for the Lord's sake,
   and I imagine myself to be certain to exhibit perfect fidelity; but let
   me be very jealous of myself, lest having the same evil heart of
   unbelief, I should depart from my Lord as the apostles did. It is one
   thing to promise, and quite another to perform. It would have been to
   their eternal honour to have stood at Jesus' side right manfully; they
   fled from honour; may I be kept from imitating them! Where else could
   they have been so safe as near their Master, who could presently call
   for twelve legions of angels? They fled from their true safety. O God,
   let me not play the fool also. Divine grace can make the coward brave.
   The smoking flax can flame forth like fire on the altar when the Lord
   wills it. These very apostles who were timid as hares, grew to be bold
   as lions after the Spirit had descended upon them, and even so the Holy
   Spirit can make my recreant spirit brave to confess my Lord and witness
   for his truth.

   What anguish must have filled the Saviour as he saw his friends so
   faithless! This was one bitter ingredient in his cup; but that cup is
   drained dry; let me not put another drop in it. If I forsake my Lord, I
   shall crucify him afresh, and put him to an open shame. Keep me, O
   blessed Spirit, from an end so shameful.