When the Shepherd Is Struck: Finding Our Way Together
· Jerwin Arnado
Shared with the music team, March 22, 2026.
“Then Jesus told them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’” — Matthew 26:31–32
Introduction
There is a hard reality in leadership and community: we are incredibly vulnerable when the person leading us is removed, attacked, or fails. Jesus knew this. On the night He was arrested, He quoted an ancient prophecy, warning His closest friends that when He — their shepherd — was struck, they would scatter in fear and confusion.
Whether it is due to a sudden departure, a moral failing, or an unexpected tragedy, when an earthly leader is “struck,” the natural human response is to scatter. We isolate, we become cynical, and we lose our direction. But the Bible does not leave us without a solution. Here is how we stay anchored when the ground shakes.
1. Look to the Chief Shepherd
Earthly leaders are a gift, but they are only under-shepherds. They are flawed, temporary, and human. When an earthly leader falters or leaves, it is a painful but necessary reminder to look up. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He is the only leader who will never leave, fail, or forsake His flock. Our ultimate trust must always rest on Him.
2. Cling to the Promise of the Gathering
Notice what Jesus said immediately after warning His disciples that they would scatter: “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” He didn’t just predict their brokenness; He planned their restoration. If you are in a season where your community feels scattered, remember that God is in the business of gathering. His grace pursues us in our dispersion to bring us back together.
3. Know the Voice for Yourself
Sheep are most likely to scatter when they’re entirely dependent on one human voice for their spiritual survival. We are called to follow the shepherd because we know his voice (John 10:4). Every single one of us needs deep, personal roots in our faith. We need to be reading the Word and praying on our own, so that when the storm hits, our foundation is built on rock, not on another person’s faith.
4. Lean on the Whole Body
A healthy community cannot have a single point of failure. We cannot place the entire weight of our spiritual well-being on one person’s shoulders. We survive the shaking by sharing the load. We need a plurality of leadership and a community where we disciple one another, support one another, and hold each other up.
Conclusion and Prayer
Scattering is a natural reaction to pain and confusion, but gathering is the supernatural work of Christ. Let’s choose to keep our eyes on the Chief Shepherd, deepen our own roots, and hold onto each other.
Lord, thank You that You are the Good Shepherd. When human leaders fail or seasons change, keep us from scattering into isolation or bitterness. Help us to recognize Your voice above all others, and bind us together in unity and love. Amen.
Questions for Group Reflection
- Has there been a time in your life when a leader you respected stepped down, moved on, or failed? How did it impact your faith?
- What does it look like in your daily life to rely on the “Chief Shepherd” rather than just earthly leaders?
- How can we, as a specific group or community, better share the load so that we are stronger together?