flesh. But no. The pattern of ancient Israel carries through in the church in the New Testament. While Jesus deliberately hand-picked his twelve disciples to found a new Israel, their faith faltered as well. On the night in which he was betrayed, after the Last Supper, Jesus informed his disciples that they would all fall away when he was betrayed to his executioners. Peter objected: “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” (Matthew 26:35). The other disciples said the same. Of course, before