A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 14:27-28)

“‘You will all fall away,’ Jesus told them, ‘for it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’” (Mark 14:27-28)

In Mark 14:27–28, Jesus shared two statements of confirmed intent with his disciples: one negative and the other positive. He first referenced Old Testament prophet Zechariah: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” It was God’s plan for Jesus’ leadership, fulfilling his ultimate mission. Jesus would serve the best interests of everyone by dying for their sins. The shepherd would be struck, and the sheep would scatter. The latter statement was terrifying for the disciples. Prefacing this prophetic quote, Jesus had told them clearly that they would all fall away. “But,” Jesus said next, “after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” His final note was good news that surpassed everything. Yes, calamity would come. However, in the end, Jesus would go ahead of them. Hope was kindled, and future restoration implied. There were two “I will” statements—one bad, one good—but the latter eclipsed the former.

KEY QUESTIONS: Is hope my guiding compass? Do I tend to paint an overly optimistic picture to my followers? How can I prepare others for the unknowns and difficulties the future will bring without causing despair? What are some “I will” statements I could use to convey both hope and a perspective that is grounded in reality?