I'm not sure that all the disciples denied Christ. (they did flee in fear - hard to blame them)
Yes, fear is the major driver which caused them change their will and to deny Christ.
Peter said unto him,
Though I should die with thee, yet WILL I not deny thee.
(Peter’s will)
Likewise also said all the disciples
(the will of the rest). (Mat 26:35)
But he spake the more vehemently,
If I should die with thee, I WILL not deny thee in any wise.
(Peter’s will)
Likewise also said they all (the will of the rest). (Mk 14:31)
Just because we have detailed descriptions of Peter denying Jesus and no one else, doesn’t mean they didn’t.
Just the fact that they agreed to this:
Though I should die with thee, yet WILL I not deny thee-
and then fled without dying with him, tells us they denied him.
And I'm not sure if Peter sinned when he denied Christ. Jesus predicted it, in the same way he predicted what Judas did. Both acts were important to the narrative.
So too was the disciples’ flight:
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
Then all the disciples forsook him, and FLED. (
Mat 26:56)
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts:
smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. (
Zec 13:7)
Are they really guilty? And if so, of what? This has bothered me for some time.
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Not only did they deny Christ but they broke an oath:
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time,
Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
But I say unto you,
Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
But
let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay:
for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (Ma5 5:33-37)
To say:
-
If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all-
is not Yea, yea; Nay nay and is of evil. They swore right to Jesus Christ and broke that oath.
You seem to think that since it was predicted it is not a sin, or at the very least you’re not sure that it’s a sin. We could use several examples as to why it is still a sin even though it is foretold. Here is one:
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord,
and against his Christ.
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both
Herod, and
Pontius Pilate, with
the Gentiles, and
the people of Israel, were gathered together,
For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel DETERMINED BEFORE TO BE DONE. (Acts 4:26-28)
That is a sin we are all guilty of.
Thank you for the thoughtful response. It can be rare around these parts.
Peace.
