Jesus was Forsaken by All His Disciples

Matt 26:31 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.' John 16:31-33 "Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 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." - Jesus Himself testified that Zech 13:7 refers to His being stricken and the sheep being scattered. - "Awake, O sword" reveals that the Lord is in control and allowed His Son (the Messiah) to be stricken by the Jews. - Only the Lord can awake the sword against His chosen. - The main responsibility of the shepherd was to feed and lead, and to protect his sheep. - My "Companion" is a reference to the Trinity, it speaks of an equal or nearest kinsman. - He whom God calls His neighbor cannot be a mere man, but can only be one who participates in the divine nature, or is essentially divine. The shepherd of Jehovah, whom the sword is to smite, is therefore no other than the Messiah, who is also identified with Jehovah in Zech 12:10; or the good shepherd, who says of Himself, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30) (from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament). - To "Strike" means to be put to death. - When Jesus was smitten everyone forsook Him. They all scattered and He was left alone. - The Lord encouraged His disciples of this event and strengthened them. - The "little ones" speaks of the least in the flock. - The hand of Yahweh smote the Shepherd in His wrath, that the same hand of Yahweh might be extended in grace upon the little ones.