After the evil presence was gone, Jesus’ mood brightened and he spoke freely from the heart to prepare the Eleven for his impending sacrifice, “My children, I am going to be with you for a very short time. You are going to miss me, but I tell you as I told the Jews, ‘You cannot go where I am now going.’ So let me give you a new commandment: love one another. I want you to love each other just as I have loved you. The distinguishing mark by which all people shall know you as my disciples is the love you show toward each other.”

“Where are you going, Lord?” asked Peter.

“You cannot go with me now, but you will follow me later,” Jesus assured him.

“Why can’t I come now?”

“Tonight all of you will desert me, for Scripture says,

‘God will strike the Shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

“But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” The time was upon them when they would seek him, but could not go to him during the terrible hours between his crucifixion and resurrection. But in that night they understood none of these things.

Apostles Protest Their Loyalty

While all were staggering under the blow of their predicted scattering, Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.”

Using his old name when referring to the old man in him, Christ exclaimed, “Simon! Satan has asked to have you, to sift you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you that your faith should not fail.” As Peter’s High Priest, he did not pray for something new to be given the apostle or the trial removed, but that his faith should not fail.

Then he added a significant commission, “When you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers.”

With earnest sincerity, Peter protested against the possibility of any failure on his part, “I am ready to go to prison and even die for you!” In the safety of the upper room, he could hear all the other apostles repeating the same vow.

“No,” Jesus corrected him, “before the rooster crows twice tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

The meal continued to its end, amidst much conversation.