His Desertion
WHAT THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES SAY…
"Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion," Says the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones." (Zechariah 13:7)
WHAT THE RABBINIC WRITINGS SAY…
If we search the prophets we shall find that He who is promised as the Shepherd of Israel is THE MESSIAH. The Messiah therefore is the person to be smitten before the scattering of the sheep. (Rabbi David Kimchi on Zechariah)
WHAT THE NEW TESTAMENT SAYS…
Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15)
Jesus said: "Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me." (John 16:32)
Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered’"...Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. (Matthew 26:31, 56)
