“I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered” [Mark 14:27]

“I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered”. Jesus knew that His disciples would be distressed and dismayed at what was about to happen. They would be scattered and melt away. He would be smitten but that would be the beginning of a coming together again that results two thousand years later in a world-wide church of true disciples united by the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus.
There is a scattering to gather and a breaking down to build up. Because we cannot see what the future holds, it calls for faith in God as we walk through the valley of sorrow, that He will bring us up, better and triumphant. The Lord does not promise to explain everything, but He promises not to forsake us and His love and care is there whatever happens to us.