When the Ship Starts Sinking
Deeply distressed, each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?” – Matthew 26:22
When the Titanic set sail in 1912, it was called the unsinkable ship. It was the largest, most luxurious vessel ever built. Passengers boarded with excitement, confident in its safety. One crew member even claimed that not even God Himself could sink it. Four days later, it lay at the bottom of the ocean.
The disciples experienced a similar moment at the table with Jesus. They assumed everything was secure. They believed the journey was headed toward victory. Then Jesus said, “One of you will betray me,” and suddenly the ship felt like it was sinking.
Fear took over.
Instead of responding in faith, the disciples responded in panic. Each one asked, “Surely not I, Lord?” Even Judas, the betrayer, joined the chorus of denial. Guilty people are often the quickest to declare their innocence. Parents know this well. Ask who left the milk out, and the response comes fast. “It wasn’t me.”
What is striking is that Judas was not the only one who failed Jesus. Peter denied Him three times. The others fled in fear. John watched from a distance and stayed silent. In different ways, every disciple betrayed Jesus.
This moment exposes something important. When our assumptions about God are shattered, our true spiritual condition is revealed. We like to think we would never doubt, never fail, never walk away. But without God’s strength, we are all capable of falling.
Instead of confidently saying, “Surely not I,” a better prayer would be, “Lord, help me stay faithful, especially when I am tempted to doubt.”
Fear does not disqualify us, but it does reveal our need. The sinking ship moment is not the end of the story. It is an invitation to humility, repentance, and dependence on God.
Jesus did not abandon the disciples in their fear. He stayed at the table. He continued the meal. And He continued the mission. Even when faith feels fragile, Jesus remains faithful.
When the Titanic set sail in 1912, it was called the unsinkable ship. It was the largest, most luxurious vessel ever built. Passengers boarded with excitement, confident in its safety. One crew member even claimed that not even God Himself could sink it. Four days later, it lay at the bottom of the ocean.
The disciples experienced a similar moment at the table with Jesus. They assumed everything was secure. They believed the journey was headed toward victory. Then Jesus said, “One of you will betray me,” and suddenly the ship felt like it was sinking.
Fear took over.
Instead of responding in faith, the disciples responded in panic. Each one asked, “Surely not I, Lord?” Even Judas, the betrayer, joined the chorus of denial. Guilty people are often the quickest to declare their innocence. Parents know this well. Ask who left the milk out, and the response comes fast. “It wasn’t me.”
What is striking is that Judas was not the only one who failed Jesus. Peter denied Him three times. The others fled in fear. John watched from a distance and stayed silent. In different ways, every disciple betrayed Jesus.
This moment exposes something important. When our assumptions about God are shattered, our true spiritual condition is revealed. We like to think we would never doubt, never fail, never walk away. But without God’s strength, we are all capable of falling.
Instead of confidently saying, “Surely not I,” a better prayer would be, “Lord, help me stay faithful, especially when I am tempted to doubt.”
Fear does not disqualify us, but it does reveal our need. The sinking ship moment is not the end of the story. It is an invitation to humility, repentance, and dependence on God.
Jesus did not abandon the disciples in their fear. He stayed at the table. He continued the meal. And He continued the mission. Even when faith feels fragile, Jesus remains faithful.
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