“Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled”(Matthew 26:56)  

Christ never deserted His disciples, but despite their oaths, they all fled for their lives at the first test of their resolve. This was a fulfillment of prophesy. “The hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone” (John 16:32). Don’t think you wouldn’t have done the same. Remember, this was before the great gift of God was poured out on the church, when they were “filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). 

 We’re called sheep for a reason. Without the Holy Spirit, even if you were warned, and prepared for a trial, when it came, you’d be seized with sudden panic, and do the very thing you swore you’d never do. You may have resolved this morning, to bear a trial for the Lord's sake, and imagine yourself meeting the trial with perfect peace, but remember, without the Holy Spirit, you would only prove, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). 

 Your ability to stand for God is only in Christ’s righteousness. You have no righteousness in yourself. “Righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17) is only possible because of the blood of Christ. Your confidence must be based only on His righteousness. 

 Being abandoned by His disciples was just one drop in the cup of sorrow Christ had to drink. Now that He’s drained the cup, let’s 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, Oh Holy Spirit, from adding to my Savior’s pain”.