当美丽的夕阳映照在耶路撒冷城墙时，耶稣和衪的十一个门徒行走在前往橄榄山的斜坡上。耶稣告诉祂的门徒，在“今夜”门徒将会如羊分散，离衪远去。之前，祂也曾说过，祂将会被捕处死（马太福音 20:18-19）。然而彼得和所有的门徒都拒绝耶稣所说的，表示他们坚决不会离去，无论耶稣将要面对的是什么困境，他们必定会留在衪的身边。
身为牧师，我经常主持庄重严肃的典礼，例如婚礼、洗礼、坚信礼、还有执事和长老的按立典礼。我会帮助当事人预备自己明白立约的意义，我也告诉自己，这些人是会认真履行他们所立的誓约的。其实，有时我会怀疑，他们是否真的明白自己所承诺的是什么。
多亏彼得了，因为他的承诺让我肯定知道，门徒实在是不明白他们所说的。当时彼得真是这样说：“耶稣，我知道今晚发生的事可能是生死攸关的，但我必定会留在祢身边，就是至死我也要保护祢！”其他的门徒也毫不犹豫地许下同样大胆的承诺。
然而，他们有没有履行所承诺的呢？今天的我们，又怎样呢？
神啊，恳求袮的灵，把我们对配偶、父母、儿女、朋友、邻舍、和对祢的承诺，深深刻在我们的心底和脑海里，又求祢帮助我们履行自己的承诺。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
马太福音 26:31-35
31那时，耶稣对他们说：“今夜，你们为我的缘故都要跌倒。因为经上记着说：我要击打牧人，羊就分散了。
32但我复活以后，要在你们以先往加利利去。”
33彼得说：“众人虽然为你的缘故跌倒，我却永不跌倒。”
34耶稣说：“我实在告诉你，今夜鸡叫以先，你要三次不认我。”
35彼得说：“我就是必须和你同死，也总不能不认你。”众门徒都是这样说。
"Peter replied, 'Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.'" — Matthew 26:33
As the sun set over the walls of Jerusalem behind them, Jesus and his eleven followers walked up the slope toward the garden on the Mount of Olives. He told them that on "this very night" the disciples would scatter like sheep and desert him. He had also said earlier that he would be arrested and condemned to death (Matthew 20:18-19). But Peter and all the disciples objected, saying that they were not going anywhere, that they would remain with Jesus through whatever crisis might come.
As a pastor, I often presided at ceremonies where serious vows were spoken: weddings, baptisms, professions of faith, ordinations of church deacons and elders. As I would help to prepare people to make these vows, I would also try to persuade myself that they seriously intended to keep their promises. Sometimes I would wonder whether they really understood what they were getting into.
Thanks to Peter, I don't have to wonder whether the disciples understood. Peter said, in effect, "I know that what happens tonight may be a life-or-death situation, but I will be there for you, Jesus, even if I have to die defending you!" The other disciples did not hesitate to make the same sweeping promise.
But did they keep their commitment? Do we?
Spirit of God, etch in our hearts and minds the promises we have made—to spouses, parents, children, friends, neighbors, and you. Help us to keep our promises. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
