Mark | Chapter 14

Mark 14:1-9

“Driven by devotion”

1. Introduction
2. Vs. 1-2 The religion of self
3. Vs. 3-9 The beauty of devotion

Introduction

This section comes right after Mark recording the Olivet Discourse with Jesus’ focus on what the Church should do when the world is coming apart prior to His return, keep busy working at the work that He has called us to and we need to watch for those who would coming into the church to rip us off from our work! In the 14^th chapter Mark puts forth several stories that contrast the responses of people towards Jesus. What’s interesting to note is that these stories are NOT in chronological order. The fact is by design and ought to cause the reader to investigate what these stories are trying to communicate to the reader. In both of these stories we see that the people involved were “driven by devotion”, yet with two polar opposite outcomes!  

Vs. 1-2 The religion of self

Vs. 1-2 In the first two verses Mark gives us some inside information of the Chief priests and scribes intentions with regards to Jesus and what the chief factors were that altered these plans. There is no mention of how Mark obtained this information as I’m certain that it wasn’t common knowledge and would have been considered “inside information”. My guess (and that is all it is) is that after the resurrection and Pentecost someone who had access to that information became a follower of Christ and came forwards and spoke openly about it. This plan reveals several things that the religious elite were very aware of:

1. That their opportunity to kill Jesus was growing very short: The timing of this event had a very narrow window.
2. That there were no grounds to accomplish their desired result. This is why they would have to result to “trickery” to accomplish this task.
3. That they were very conscious of Jesus’ over all popularity with the multitudes outside of Jerusalem. Their concern as to the timing lie in the reaction of the crowds favorable towards Him.

These facts reveal the motive and hatred the religious leaders had towards Jesus. Their jealousy was aimed at protecting their prestige and power that they had utilized to their advantage. Jesus was a direct threat to their way of life. Here was the religious elite whose responsibility it was to lead the people into a greater understanding of God but had become so enraptured with the trappings of religion that they were blinded by it; seen in:

• Their indifference to a man they knew was innocent of any real charges
• Their defiance of all that they held sacred to accomplish their desired results
• Their level of self love that they could hate a man whose only crime was that the people loved Him
• Their blindness, that schemed and panned under the power of darkness and secrecy

They were not radicles that believed in their cause, they were secretly meeting and discussing how to kill Jesus which went against the very religion they were sworn to up hold. Jesus was a threat to them and they loved to pose as holy, godly men and Jesus had exposed their hypocrisy and their actions towards Him only confirmed what He had spoken about them as being truth! When evil and hatred are exposed all it can do is retaliate and prove what it truly is.

Vs. 3-9 The beauty of devotion

Vs. 3-9 Though this next story appears immediately after in reality the story of the “anointing of Jesus at Bethany” happened 6 days earlier. We know this because John in His gospel has it chronologically correct in John 12:1-8. That leaves us with only two possibilities:

• Mark was ignorant of the timing of the event: Something that I find hard to believe seeing that he was there and wrote long before John did.
• Mark knowingly inserts this story out of chronological order for a reason: I believe that Mark deliberately inserts these stories in this chapter to convey the contrast between “true devotion” and false devotion.

The religious elite demonstrated “intense devotion” but the devotion that had was to themselves under the false banner of religion. I believe Mark wants to demonstrate this truth because of Jesus’ warning to the Church in the Olivet Discourse with regards to evidence of what false religion looks like.

            Mark doesn’t identify the woman who broke the expensive flask of spikenard and anointed Jesus but John does and there we are told that it was Mary of Bethany the sister of of Martha and Lazarus. The account recorded for us in John tells the story of the three siblings and give us a full picture of what true devotion. The three of them we are told in John 12 verse 2-3 were engaged in three things that make up true devotion. 

1. First it says that “Martha served”: We always find Martha serving; she expressed her devotion by serving. Back in Luke 10 she became stressed in her service and told Jesus to tell her sister Mary to get up and help her in the kitchen. Jesus had to remind her to not allow her service to keep her from devotion. Something changed Martha’s perspective on her service as now we read, “they made Him supper and Martha served”. We see that “they made Him supper”; there were some who learned that serving didn’t hinder worship and there was Martha who learned that devotion was the only way to serve. The second thing that changed Martha was the death of her brother and his sitting at the table with Jesus now. What was at one time seen as a burden was now seen as a blessing because it was lost to her and then brought back.  
2. Second we are told that “Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.” This speaks of yet another aspect of devotion and that has to do with our witness. “Our witness? All Lazarus did was sit at the table with Jesus what kind of witness is that?” Lazarus seems to be content to be known as the man who sat at the table with Jesus rather than the man who spent 4 days dead and was now alive. To Lazarus his devotion centered around his companionship and friendship with Jesus. And in this we learn three things as it relates to our devotion as a witness:
   1. It isn’t what we do it is who we sit next too. Lazarus presence at the supper table was proof positive that everything Jesus was saying was true. We are called to bear witness of that we who were once dead are now alive. Our witness is most visible not by what we do but rather who we are hanging around the table with.  
   1. It can only be seen when, like Lazarus, we don’t come to the table still bound up in the trappings of death. The greatest evidence of our devotion is the fact that you and I aren’t still walking around like we just came out of a tomb. We are free from the things of the old life, liberated from the things that stunk.
   1. It is most attractive when people see us at the table with Him, hanging out with Jesus. I wonder if Jesus spoke of that day when he came out of the tomb and looks on people’s faces, I can’t be sure but if He did I bet they all joked about it. The best way to demonstrate your devotion is to show people your life.       
3. Finally, we see the third aspect of devotion in verse 3 of Mark 14, where we are told that “Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” This is the focus of Mark’s gospel. What might not be immediately apparent is that this act of devotion was far more than what it first appears. That pound of costly oil in the alabaster box was her dowry and as she willing sacrificed it at the feet of Jesus and it mixed with her tears. We don’t see her using that costly oil to anoint her brothers body at his burial but she couldn’t wait to use for Jesus’. Mary was giving the roses of her love while Jesus was still alive instead of placing them over His coffin after He was dead. To which Jesus both commended her and defended her. Perhaps during those four days of Lazarus death she took inventory of what she wished she should have said and done towards her brother and now she is not going to waste another moment to say I love you to Jesus.

Mark records three movements of Mary’s devotion:

1. Vs. 3 The first movement is Mary’s loving devotion: This happened at the house of Simon the leper as Jesus sat at a table she came with a jar of expensive perfume. John tells us that she took a pound of that costly oil and poured it on Jesus feet and wiped it with her hair and apparently poured it upon His head as well. The act caught the attention of those present to the same degree that the fragrance filled the house. There are four things about Mary’s act of devotion: 

1. Mary’s act was premeditated: She carried this alabaster jar of extremely expensive fragrant oil with her to Simon the lepers house, this speaks of premeditation.
2. Mary’s gift was pedestrian: When a guest entered the home, usually the guest’s feet were washed with water and the guest’s head was anointed with a dab of oil or perfume. Here, Mary used this precious ointment and anointed the feet of Jesus.  Then she used her hair to spread it upon Him. Her precious ointment was only good enough for His feet.
3. Mary’s gift was pricey: She used a pound of oil of spikenard and based upon Judas’ estimation it was valued at a year’s wage. At that time spices and oils were used as an investment and such was the case as it appears this may have been her dowry. Spikenard comes from a plant found in India and she poured a whole pound of it upon His feet instead of dapping a part of it upon His head according to the other accounts she poured it upon His head and ran over His body unto it dripped upon His feet which then used her hair to wipe His feet.
4. Mary’s gift was personal: Jewish women never let their hair down in public they always kept their hair up and covered. The only time they would do so would be for their husband in an act of adoration and devotion (hence the phrase to let your hair down). Notice the longevity of Mary’s devotion as it is still being remembered to day.

2.  Vs. 4-5 The Second movement is the onlookers’ response: Mark tells us that people present were indignant about Mary’s act of devotion. John tells us that this was lodged by Judas. These are the first recorded words of Judas and we can see that he was the quintessential businessman, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” On the outside it might appear that Judas’ actions seem nobler than Mary’s but the truth is that it was all a façade. Judas’ comments serve as a contrast to true devotion which he considered a waste of time. He does so by false pretenses of suggesting that the best way to worship Jesus is to give to man but we are told that this was only said because the man he had in mind was himself. There are those that suggest that Judas was embezzling in order to purchase land to build himself a mansion so that when Jesus became the leader of the world He would live in luxury and at the time of Jesus death he was only 30 pieces of silver away from the transaction. What Jesus saw as devotion in Mary’s gift, Judas saw as waste. John’s commentary says that, “This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” Judas was entrusted with the care of what had been given and he began to see what was in that box as his instead of belonging to Jesus. There will always be people who tend to view giving as an act of investment instead of an act of devotion. 

3.  Vs. 6-9 The third movement is defense of Mary’s devotion: Jesus says five things about Mary’s devotion:

1. Vs. 6 “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. There wills always someone that will criticize your devotion. There are those who may profess their relationship with Jesus while putting you down for your devotion. Mary’s devotion filled the house with the fragrance of her love. And Judas words filled the house with the stench of the flesh. He complained that he could have had a year’s wage in the box but he would betray Jesus for just 30 pieces of silver.
2. Vs. 7 “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not always have.” While other’s criticized her for being wasteful, Jesus affirmed her for being sensitive to the timing of the moment. Jesus isn’t saying that meeting the needs of the needy is wrong; He is saying that making it a priority over the devotion puts it in the wrong place. We are always going to have the opportunity for activity but such activity should never be at the cost of devotion.
3. Vs. 8a “She has done what she could.” Mary came to realize that what was in that meant nothing when compared to her devotion towards Jesus. When she let down her hair she took on the role of a salve and in her devotion was ridiculed by Judas. She offered the only act of devotion that was open to her at that moment. She could not fix Him a meal or make Him a garment she had no time for that, but she did have time to anoint Him with costly perfume. The teaching in Jesus’ affirmation is simple: Use what you have and do what you can at the moment! 
4. Vs. 8b “She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.” It is interesting to read the amount of times that Jesus had spoken to His disciples that He was going to die and it seems that none of them believed Him except Mary of Bethany. She believed Him and grieved for Him even before His death. Jesus knew her motives and was comforted by her devotion of Him. Of all those that surround Jesus at that moment only Mary had the sensitivity to understand what was happening to Him and cared enough to express it. 

Vs. 9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” The Christian life ought to be a beautiful balance of worship, work, and witness. I wonder if Jesus still smelled this sent on the cross? In Ephes. 5:2 we are told that when we “..walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” There were two scents that filled the room Mary’s devotion and Judas’ devotion to himself. 

Judas was a critic, he is picking at the thread of Mary’s devotion and will end up making a nose for himself. It is good to heed the words of Jesus, “Let her alone”. Jesus will never criticize you if you if your devotion for Him is extravagant. Mary knew that He was soon going to lay down His life for her and the whole world and this was the only way she knew to say thank you.

Mark 14:10-26

“Between the cups”

1. Introduction
2. Vs. 10-11 The Betrayal
3. Vs. 12-21 Preparation for Passover
4. Vs. 22-26 The Lord’s Supper

Introduction

The 14^th chapter of Mark is full of contrasts to enable the reader to comprehend what true devotion looks like. This morning we will look at three events:

• Vs. 10-11 The decision of Judas to betray Jesus
• Vs. 12-21 The preparation for Passover
• Vs. 22-26 The intuition of the Lord’s Supper

Nothing could give a better picture of true devotion than the contrasts of Judas’ act of betrayal and Jesus’ instituting communion at the Passover.

Vs. 10-11 The Betrayal

Vs. 10-11 The first picture is that of Judas’ betrayal and Mark wants the reader to understand the dynamics of this as he includes the revelation as too his identity as “one of the twelve”. The religious leaders had a challenge in their attempt to destroy Jesus of:

• Limited time
• Limited opportunity
• And No reason

Judas’ offer to them changed two of those towards their favor. From purely a practical observation, apart from Judas’ act of betrayal Jesus would not have been arrested, tried or crucified at this specific time. The Greek word for “betray” in verse 10 is a word that means to hand over our as we would say “sold Him down the river”. Judas wasn’t coerced into this deceptive plan he initiated it and went to the right people in order to carry it out. Further more we are told that “when they (the religious leaders) heard it they were glad”; the Greek wording on this phrase indicates an inward feeling of joy but suppressed outwardly as to not give their inward feeling away. What this suggests is the element of surprise by the religious leaders at Judas’ offer of betrayal as they didn’t see it coming, and didn’t want Judas to know how delighted they were at his proposal. The religious leaders had the burden of finding a way to dispose of Jesus and they didn’t have one until Judas presented them with the the opportunity. As noted last week this information can only be classified as “insider information” and as such had to have been given to the disciples at a later date by someone who was there. In this horrible and bleak picture of unsurpassed betrayal we still see the light and impact of enduring devotion as it can penetrate even the hardest of hearts.

            There are those that for what ever motivation want to offer excuses for Judas’ act, saying he was mislead, that he thought that such an act of betrayal would force Jesus’ hand in establishing His kingdom. They suggest that Judas didn’t want to betray Jesus, his motive wasn’t evil, instead he was just overeager and misguided. The Bible doesn’t offer that view as Judas’ act was:

1. Deliberate: He took the initiative and went to the religious leaders
2. Treacherous: He was a trusted member of the disciples
3. Envious: His stated motive was greed as he was an embezzler.
4. Calculating: To Judas this was nothing more than a business transaction

It took very little money to transform Judas from a disciple to a deceiver; 30 pieces of silver according to Exodus 21:32 is the exact price paid to a master if his slave was gored by an ox.

Vs. 12-21 Preparation for Passover

Vs. 12 Mark gives several important clues as too the timing of this first communion as he says that it was “on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb,” preparations for this meal were made on the 14^th of the month and the paschal lamb was slain at 6 PM on the next day. Mark notes that the conversation with THE Lamb of God about the preparations for the Passover meal took place at the same time in which the lambs were being killed and prepared for the meal.

Vs. 13-15 Peter and John were the two commissioned to procure the room where the disciples and Jesus were to celebrate the Passover. The instructions were very specific they were to look for a man carrying a pitcher of water which would have been unusual as such a task was women’s work thus this man was most likely a slave. They were to follow him to his master’s house and once there ask the master of the house where the guest room was at. The phrase “THE guest chamber” is literally in the Greek “MY guest-chamber” which suggests that this was a prearrangement made between Jesus and the master of the house. The room was furnished and prepared for the meal in accordance to biblical Passover observance.

            What’s not immediately recognizable by gentile readers of this passage is that “a man carrying a jar of water” was linked to another very important feast. To dig deeper into this you need to go to John chapter 7 verses 37-39 there we are told that, “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out saying, if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Now we know that the feast Jesus is revering to is the Feast of Tabernacles because John tells us so in John 7:2. The Feast of Tabernacles is an 8-day festival that begins at sundown and according to Moses words in Leviticus chapter 23 for 7 days of the 8 days it is a festival noted for being set apart from others for rest. But on the 7^th day known as “the great day” the people observed it by coming together in a procession following a priest as he went to draw water from the pool of Siloam (the pool where Jesus told the blind man to wash his eyes after He had put mud over them). The priests took two golden pitchers, one for wine and the other for water from the pool. There was a musical procession as they went down to the pool to get the water for the golden pitcher singing the words of Psalm 118 with the 22^nd verse of “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone”. After getting the water the whole procession went back to the temple through the water gate and the trumpet sounds as the priest enters the temple area. When the priest approached the alter there are two silver basins waiting Him, he pours wine into the one basin as a drink offering and the water from the pool of Siloam into the other. The whole ceremony was a joyous occasion thanking the Lord for His provision and asking Him to provide water for the coming year.

            No wonder Jesus stood holding that pitcher of water of the 7^th day, the Great day of the feast of tabernacles with this proclamation. But look again at John chapter 7 verse 39 where John look forward and says, “But this He spoke concerning the Holy Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” This was a deliberate set up by Jesus to let His disciples know that what John records in the 39^th verse was about to happen. These men were going to need to reflect on what Jesus death was going to bring them that at this very moment they couldn’t comprehend.

Vs. 16 Mark records two things:

1. “So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them..”: The first part is the preparation of our Lord where everything that He said He would do was done just as He had said. The Passover lamb had been slain and returned to the upper room and all they had to do was follow.
2. “..And they prepared the Passover.”: But there is a 2^nd part of this as we are told that they had to prepare the Passover, roasting the lamb, the making of unleavened bread, the bitter herbs, the four cups of wine, making the paste symbolizing the mortar used for laying the bricks and getting the room ready with the candles and such. All this lie on the responsibility of the disciples. Saint’s we can count on the Lord doing what He has said the only doubt is will we do what we have said?

Vs. 17-21 After the preparations complete in the evening the 12 came. Most folks have a wrong picture of this scene do to Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting called the “The Last Supper”. The painting looks as if Jesus told all of them to come over behind the Table for of photo. The disciples would not have been seated in chairs, instead they would have been lying on couches around a low table only a few feet of the ground. John and Judas would have been on either side of Jesus with the other disciples seated around the table. The dinner took an immediate somber tone with Jesus’ announcement that “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” This prediction narrowed Jesus death to the direct betrayal of one of His disciples and with John and Judas next to Him sharing His dish it would have narrowed the focus directly upon one of those two. Yet with Jesus announcement that there was a traitor in their midst not a single person stood up and said “I know who it is!” Instead each of them in a moment of self evaluation looked deep within themselves and said “It is not I, Is it?” Next we are told in verse 20 that Jesus said “It is one of the twelve, who dips with me in the dish”. It was then that Judas dipped his bread into Jesus dish as John’s account tells in 13:27 that “after the piece of bread satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him. “What you do, do quickly.”

Vs. 21 Before Judas left Jesus said, “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.” Jesus doesn’t say these words because Judas was doing something he couldn’t help; he was free to act even though his actions had long ago been predicted. God didn’t drive Judas to this awful moment, Judas chose to do what he did. These words, “It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.” Are the most solemn words Jesus ever spoke and should drive every unrepentant sole their knees and light a fire of obedience upon every believer’s passion.

Vs. 22-26 The Lord’s Supper

Vs. 22 According to John 13:30 Judas, “Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.” In other word’s Judas left before Jesus institute the Lord’s Supper. With Judas gone Jesus instituted what is know as the Lord’s supper in the middle of the Passover.  Note the words, “as they were eating” which tells us that this took place, right between the third and forth cups of wine. The Passover meal is like a big dinner theater only you aren’t just eating and watching you are a part of the production with things you say. Through out the ceremony they would be four times when they would all share a glass of wine together.

1.) First they would say, “I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians..”

            2.) Second, they would say, “I will free you from being slaves..”

            3.) Third, they would say, “I will free you with an outstretched arm..”

4.) Lastly, they would say, “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God..”

They had just drank together the third cup together and said “I will free you with an outstretched arm..” The Lord’s supper was placed right in between those two statements. Think of what Jesus was saying, “I’m freeing you from sin, with My death upon the cross.” “That will be the sole basis of your relationship with me, celebrate it, realize that it is because of this that I will take you as my own and be your God.” “This is my promise to you, my covenant to you!” Then Jesus took one of the pieces of bread gave thanks and broke it and then distributed it to them. Saying to them, “Take, eat this is My body.” It is here that He took up the un-leavened bread, broke it, blessed it and said “this is my body.” The word Eucharist is taken from the words “blessed it”. Jesus is giving God the Father thanks for the opportunity to purchase us back to Him.

Vs. 23 This cup would have been the one in which they would say, “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God..” And here it becomes the new agreement between God and man. The word “shed” or “poured out” points back to Lev. 8:15 where we are told that only in the sin offering is the blood poured out upon the alter. So this blood represents a covenant by which you will be God’s people and He will be our God. It is by His sacrifice for our sins. Covenants were entered into by eating and drinking together; so when we partake of it we are agreeing to the terms of the covenant. The terms are: We are only saved by faith in Jesus finished work on the cross, further more we are only sustained by it! The Lord’s supper is all about His sacrifice and our rejoicing in it, thanking Him for it!

Vs. 25-26 Jesus finishes this with a prediction that will have its fulfillment in the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus has cleansed and restored Israel. In a worldwide kingdom where He will reign as King of the throne of David. The phrase in verse 25 “I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it NEW in the kingdom of God.” The word “NEW” in the Greek is NOT as it relates to TIME, but NEW as it relates to quality. The wine we shall drink together with our Lord will be of a NEW QUALITY, spiritual nut just physical! We know that the Hymn sung was Psalm 136 Over and over in this 26 verse psalm is repeated the words “For His mercy (loving kindness) endures forever”.              

Mark 14:27-31

“Confidence”

1. Introduction
2. Vs. 27-28 Trusting the Shepherd
3. Vs. 29-31 Failure of the flesh

Introduction

During a fierce battle of the Civil War, Confederate General Richard Ewell, looked across the battle field at the Union troops his army had been trading gun fire with 70 yards away. He noticed a Union Cavalry officer walking boldly out front and unprotected risking death to encourage his troops. General Ewell was so impressed with the action that he ordered his soldiers to not shoot the union officer. After the battle General Ewell was reprimanded by none other than his commanding officer “Stonewall Jackson”. When asked why he had ordered his soldiers to not fire on that Union officer, General Ewell replied, “I admired him, sir, he was a brave officer!” Stonewall Jackson’s reply was, “Ewell, if you want to win this war, shoot the BRAVE officers – then the cowards will run away taking the rest of the men with them.” I’m not certain that “Stonewall Jackson” knew it but he was for all practical purposes quoting Jesus own words “Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” In this brief section there are two things to notice:

1. Vs. 27-28 Jesus fully understood what was about to happen to Him. He not only understood it but anticipated it and even mad plans for it.
2. Vs. 29-31 The disciples didn’t see any of what was about to happen to them. What’s even worse they all over estimated their own abilities.

One of the surprising elements of Jesus final few hours is the contrast between Jesus and His disciples as it relates to their confidence:

1. The absolute secure confidence of our Lord despite the situation He was facing. He was absolutely confident that He would remain victorious and never failing in His ability to maintain His watch over His disciples as their Shepherd.
2. This is contrasted against the false confidence of the disciples as it relates to their personal devotion and the power they falsely believed in their own will to carry this devotion ill regardless of the circumstances they were about to face. This false sense of security was what led to their soon scattering.              
3. Vs. 27-28 Trusting the Shepherd

Vs. 27 They has just sung the song declaring Gods enduring loving kindness and made the walk in the full moon of Passover across the Brook of Kidron, no doubt red with the blood of a 1000 lambs for sacrifice. As They came to the Mount of Olives Jesus makes this statement. “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night..” The word “stumble” in the Greek is where we get our English word “scandalized”. How startling this prediction of Jesus must have been as the disciples heard that He is “Going to be the object over which all of them will be offended.” I like the fact that Jesus is telling them ahead of time; He knows that they are going to stumble because of Him. In an odd way I find it reassuring as Jesus is saying, “I know your frame guy’s and I know that you are going to act different then where you think your heart is.”

I have little doubt that Jesus knew and had read the scriptures, specifically the messianic prophecies. He had spoken to the Father about them as John chapter 17 clearly indicates. I also believe that the Holy Spirit made known to Jesus the things not in the scriptures. Yet with that said the things Jesus tells His disciples in this quote from Zech. 13:7, was something that they were apparently unaware as it relates to our fallen human nature. When you look at the full quote in Zechariah 13:7 it reads, “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion, say the Lord of hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; then I will turn Mt hand against the little ones.” Comparing these two we see that Jesus changed the wording in the Greek from the “imperative mode” of “strike the shepherd” to the “indicative mode” of “I WILL strike the shepherd”. This makes these words come from God the Father striking the Shepherd, Jesus, making the result that the sheep becoming scattered. This means that the striking of the Shepherd that Jesus makes reference of is about to happen in the Garden of Gethsemane, the scattering of the sheep will take place according to Mark 14 in verse 50 as we see that “Then they all forsook Him and fled.” We all like to be identified with winners and as long as the Shepherd was keeping the flock, whipping up on all the wolves, lions, bears, they were all jumping up and down wearing their team jerseys saying, “I’m a member of the SHEPHERDS, and we are undefeated!”

            Months back in Luke chapter 10 verse 17 as Jesus was sent the 70 disciples out they came back saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” But Jesus said, “..do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Jesus understood human tendency to do get all caught up in the individual moments that we lose sight of the mission.

Vs. 28 Jesus knew that this was about to happen this night in the Garden of Gethsemane but He also knew “But after I HAVE BEEN RAISED, I will go before you to Galilee.” What reassurance to these who will be in a short time scattered that even though they will abandon Him, He will nonetheless still not only be their Shepherd but will still be standing watch, guarding His flock. 

What was about to happen in a few hours was not the final out come, it was instead the sign of the ultimate victory. I pray that this encourages you this morning, perhaps you are experiencing some circumstance right now in your life and you feel like a failure. Saints, as a believer in Christ the game is not over! The truth is Jesus is going on ahead of us, after He has already won the game! Jesus never spoke of the cross that He didn’t also speak of His resurrection, yet these fellows never seemed to grasp that. Not one of them believed that Jesus would be raised from the dead. Perhaps that was because not one of them wanted to consider the reality of His death. That being said, isn’t wonderful that our initial lack of belief with regards to the resurrection doesn’t impact its reality nor does it it hinders our ability to believe it it’s reality later!    

 

Vs. 29-31 Failure of the flesh

Vs. 29 The 2^nd thing that Mark records about this incident to the bravado of Peter and the disciples. With that great pep-talk of Jesus about human failure and His faithfulness, Peter, missed what He was telling them. Jesus was saying that, “ultimate victory was won” and that victory was not based upon man’s faithfulness but rather on His. Peter’s confidence is very unfortunate as it is NOT in the Lord’s resurrection but rather in the confidence of his own will, which Jesus accurately predicted would fail. The Greek wording of “even if” revels Peter’s confidence in a twofold certainty:

1. In the estimation of the ability of his own will
2. In the likelihood that rest of the disciples would fail, where he would succeed

He was still stuck on those word’s “all of you”. Making the same mistake that we often do about our selves, the over estimation of our own ability. “I know myself man and I will never be made to fall away from you.” Peter’s problem was that he was a passionate strong man and there lie his weakness. Peter is telling the Lord, “Hey, Lord, I used to be Shifting Sand (Simon) but you re-named The Rock.” “So the all of you must have meant, all of them!” Peter had started believing his own press reports. There is only One that is invincible only One that never fails and it’s not me nor any other person, it’s Jesus. To many people put their trust in themselves or others only to see their hopes dashed.

Vs. 30 But Jesus turns Peter’s boast into a prophecy of his failure. In the Greek Jesus gives three specific things with regards to the timing of Peter’s failure:

• Today: The Jew’s took this to mean around 6 P.M.
• Even this night: This would have placed it after sunset
• Before the rooster crows twice: There were four watches of the night and between midnight and 3 A.M. was known as the “cock crowing hours” which was before sunrise and would make this sometime before 2 A.M.     

Jesus rebuffs his self-confidence by saying that in only a few hours he will deny Him three times. Well did Paul warn us in 1 Cor. 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” I appreciate our Lord’s use of illustrations don’t you? How appropriate it is that the final reference as to the time of Peter’s failure is forever linked to the “roosters crow”. Peter’s boastful attitude linked to the “cocky call” of a rooster who is always sounding off “cocksure” of their ability!  

Vs. 31 The Greek words “spoke more vehemently” is in the imperfect meaning that Peter kept on speaking in passionate irritation.  Instead of heading the warning, Peter says that he was ready to die for the Lord. The truth is most people are all ready to die for a winner, but what do we do when we feel as if our Shepherd has become a Lamb? Ever notice after some Pro team wins the title how many folks start warring their apparel? In Christ you will always have a winner, but His winning has nothing to do with your character or ability, it has everything to do with His!  

Mark 14:32-42

“Far from home”

1. Introduction
2. Vs. 32-36 Press into obedience
3. Vs. 37-42 Watching n prayer

Introduction

In 2^nd Corinthians 12:10 Paul in speaking about his own physical afflictions took the time to explain how such troubles benefited him as he said, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ’s sake, FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG.” Last week this truth was on display in the over confidence of Peter and the disciples had in their self will in keeping their commitment to Jesus. The problems we face in our Christian life almost always ends up being in the faulty placement of our security: We over value our “personal strengths” as the basis of our position of security instead of that which ensures our failure! In the Christian life “Self-confidence” is the quickest road to defeat and “Christ-confidence” is the easiest path to victory. There is no room for both of these to coexist, we will either be one of the other but not both. This morning we will examine this in more detail as we first see it demonstrated in Jesus in a very interesting passage then further see it explained in the narcoleptic disciples.      

  

Vs. 32-36 Press into obedience

Vs. 32-33 Gethsemane means “olive press” and it is here that the weight of mans sin begins to press in upon Him. What initially strikes me is the loneliness of this moment. This in spite of verse 36 where we see in the three prayers of Jesus to the Father complete fellowship.

We notice that Jesus is amongst the 11 closest friends and He separates three of them to be even closer. These were the same three, (Peter James and John) who were with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration and they were also taken with Him into Jairus’s house when his daughter was raised. For all practical purposes these three comprised His “inner circle”. Yet, we must NOT assume that it was there exceptional qualities that led to their advancement to this position. I’m more inclined to believe, from personal experience, that these three were apart of Jesus’ inner circle NOT for what they offered Him but rather for what He could do for them and their “special needs”. I believe it was far more expedient in Jesus’ ministry to keep these three close to Him. When you examine the scriptures, even while they are part of Jesus’ inner circle, you see the crazy things they say and do I think my opinion has great merit. These three guys were the weakest of the bunch and constantly and consistently needed the most proof of who He was and even with this still managed to get into more then their fare share of trouble. How amazing is this in light of this revelation that Jesus wants them nearest to Him as He faces His greatest trial. You will remember at the beginning of His ministry as Satan tempted Him for those 40 days and nights that as Luke 4:13 records that “when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” Here then was that “opportune time”.

Vs. 33 The words described here are very descriptive:

1.  “He began to be troubled”: In the Greek this caries the idea of “terrified surprise”. This “terrified surprise” must be interpreted in the context of what Jesus had clearly already understood and taught for 3 ½ years with regards to His rejection, trial, cross and death! He had foreseen all of this and was fully aware of His passion, so how could there have been any “terrified surprise”? The only explanation is that it’s terrors exceeded His expectations. This is further confirmed by the author of Hebrews when he states in chapter 5 verse 8 that “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience BY THE THINGS WHICH HE SUFFERED.” Such a lesson on obedience started with a sensation of inconceivable awe at what He was now facing in the Garden Gethsemane.          
2. Second, we have the words that describe Jesus as being “deeply distressed” and in the Greek they literally mean “far from home”. The common usage of these Greek words is to describe the feeling one gets when they are “home sick” with desolate loneliness, the feeling of complete isolation. An overwhelming mental distress that leaves a person confused, restless and engulfed in grief.   

Vs. 34 Clearly these three disciples witnessed this as Jesus explains what they had visibly scene. He tells the three that He is, “exceedingly sorrowful.” These words in the Greek mean “grieved all around”. Jesus clarifies the extent of this loneliness as being so overwhelming as to being to the point of death. The question we must ask is what was the source or cause of such despair?

Vs. 35-36 Jesus’ condition was physically noticeable as we are told that, “He went a little farther and fell on the ground”. The Greek word is in the “imperfect” and it tells us two things: First, that His disciples saw Him fall on the ground and second that He did so repeatedly! This reveals the true nature of the struggle that Jesus was under at this very moment. We are given further insight in this battle in the words that Jesus “KEPT ON PRAYING” “if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.” He had a continuous prayer that the HOUR that He had clearly known was coming and was now upon Him, would pass away from Him. It is abundantly clear in this passage that for the FIRST TIME, Jesus doesn’t want to do what the Father wants Him to do. There is a sense of a struggle of which His disciples witnessed and Jesus doesn’t attempt to hide the reality of it. This in spite of the reality that according to Hebrews chapter 10 verse 5 and 7 prior to His incarnation Jesus knew that this was His mission as we read, “But a body You have prepared for Me….Then I said, Behold, I have come —In the volume of the book it is written of Me—-To do Your will, oh God.” In John 8:29 Jesus said, “The Father has not let Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” I believe this verse holds the key to understanding Jesus’ reluctance to not do that which pleased the Father as John records in chapter 8 verse 29 “The Father has not let Me alone.” This was the first time that Jesus had ever felt alone from the Father.   

This is better understood in Jesus prayer:

• Jesus says, “Abba Father..”: These words leave no doubt to His eternal abiding relationship with the Father. His trepidation was not based upon a PAST lingering doubt of His father’s love. This suggests that His reluctance was something not from His past experience but His present and future. 
• Further more His words “all things are possible for you” implies that Jesus completely understood the truth of the divine will; the full expression of the Father’s righteousness, love and power. He had no doubt as to the willingness and ability of the Father to come to His aid. The phrase, “nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will” recognizes this truth. So what do we make the shrinking away from the cup?

Some interpreters think that the “CUP” spoken of here by Jesus is the “agony of Gethsemane”. But John 18:11 makes that interpretation impossible. Only a few hours later in this same garden after Peter wields his sword, Jesus says, “Put your sword into the sheath, Shall I not drink the cup which My Gather has given Me?” This verse reveals two important things:

1. The “Cup” still lies ahead of Jesus and was not the “agony of Gethsemane”
2. The reluctance that Jesus had of drinking from this cup has been resolved by the time Jesus says this to Peter

There are two things about this “CUP” Jesus naturally and sinlessly shrank from:

1. First, I believe that what Jesus is speaking of is not of the physical agony of the cross but what was placed upon Him (our sin) and what that sin would mean as far as unbroken fellowship with the Father. Paul writes of this in 2 Corinthians 5:21 saying, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” You and I can not comprehend this agony; you see we are sinners. I have times where I don’t experience the fellowship of God, but not so with Jesus. Upon the only HOLY person who had never known sin was placed all human sin, from every person from the beginning of humanity to the end. It is no wonder that Jesus naturally with drew from this, as a Holy God it is perfectly understandable.
2. The other aspect of the “CUP” is the agony of the separation from the continual fellowship of the Father that have this sin placed upon Him would produce. This separation would have been from 9 AM to 3 PM and is the reason why we hear Jesus quote Psalm 22:1-2 “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent.” The fellowship between the Father and the Son had had no beginning. For a sinner who has never known the bliss of the Father’s love, to deprived of it for eternity, is horrible. But for the Son of God who had never known anything else up to this moment, the loss of experiencing this love was the worst part of His suffering.     

It was these two aspects about this “CUP” that Jesus shrank away from and what He said in obedience, “nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Though this statement of Jesus is the greatest example of “voluntary submission” ever made; we rob the meaning of it if we first don’t understand the intense conflict expressed in the words “not what I will”! Jesus states that at this moment “His will” and the “Father’s will” were for the first time not identical, it is the first time we see a separation between the Father and the Son. In the parallel passage of Luke 22:44 we see that such anguish was more than mental it was physically visible in “His sweat becoming like great drops of blood falling to the ground.” It was so intense that blood from His capillaries was forced through the walls of His veins through the layers of skin and out as He perspired. We also get another look at this from the author of Hebrews 5:7-9 who writes concerning Jesus that “In the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” If Jesus had never gone through this, then He would not have been able to sympathize with you and me. That’s what Hebrews 4:15 tells us saying, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  

In Matthew 26:39 he records the first part of the prayer Jesus as asking “If it is possible”. That is, if there is any other way in which mans sin can be atoned for apart from the cross. If a certain amount of good works or deeds; if some other religion can do the job. Yet in the 2nd and third part of the prayer, Jesus says that this cup can not pass. There is no other way for our sins to be forgiven except by Jesus dying! And each time Jesus submitted His life to that of the Father. Back in Luke 4:13 in the account of the temptation of Jesus, Satan tried to get Jesus to worship him and all the world would be His, but Jesus knew that there was only one way the world could be purchased back and the was through the cross.

Vs. 37-42 Watching n prayer

Vs. 37-42 The second half of this passage deals with: How can we submit to God and accomplish His purposes when we don’t want too? It is here we take note that Jesus accomplished this through prayer that enabled Him to grab hold of the Father’s purposes and power above His own. There will be times when our hearts and emotions are contrary too the will of God. The will of God is running contrary to our natural impulse. But our sole goal in this life is to follow God to bring our wills into submission to His and as an example. This is what again the author of Hebrews tells us in 12:3-4 saying, “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.” Thank God our salvation isn’t dependent upon them staying awake because if it was then they we would be all condemned. Jesus is the one who is staying watch over us! Peter had promised to be faithful but instead he was faithless. They all needed to be praying for themselves and instead Jesus prays for them. There you have my Christian experience summed up, my complete failure His complete faithfulness! It is only when I realize the truth that apart from Him I can do nothing that and enter into His faithfulness!   

Mark 14:37-52

“Demonstration of devotion”

1. Introduction
2. Vs. 37-42 The sandman
3. Vs. 43-45 The kiss
4. Vs. 47-50 Fight of flight
5. Vs. 51-52 Richly rewarded

Introduction

There are four different scenes emphasized in this section and the common denominator in each of them is what is commonly considered love and devotion:

1. Vs. 37-42 First, we notice the number one reason for our inability to stay committed in our love; powerless believers. We will see that what lies behind this condition is satan the sandman
2. Vs. 43-45 Second, we will see the worst kiss ever given, as Judas pretends love in order to betray
3. Vs. 47-50 Third we will examine the twofold tendency known in love and devotion as the “fight or flight” syndrome
4. Vs. 51-52 Fourth, we will look at a man who at first wouldn’t commit to love Jesus because he had great wealth and in the end runs off naked because of his love
5. Vs. 37-42 The sandman

Vs. 37-42 John describes the journey from the upper room to the garden saying that they passed over the book called Kidron. This brook was almost always dry except when it rained and during the Passover when the blood of the sacrifices ran like a stream from below the eastern wall of the temple. The name Kidron has two meaning “the brook of cedars” and “to become black” and by implication in the Hebrew, “sad”. Hundreds of years earlier, during the time of David, the king sinned by numbering the people to ascertain the strength of the nation. David’s problem was he failed to realize that their true strength was not in numbers but in the Lord. When the Romans wanted to know how many people were in Jerusalem the priests didn’t want to number the people and told them they could count the sheep of the sacrifice instead. During one Passover Josephus tells us that they sacrificed 256,000 lambs. It was so bad that the Roman’s built three aqueducts to wash the blood down from the brook Kidron but it would turn black and stink. It was across this same brook that David left the city after being betrayed by his son Absalom and like Judas, his closest adviser Ahithophel hanged himself. My point in bring this up is as Jesus crossed over this brook called “darkness” or sadness under His feet was a river of a ¼ of a million sacrificed lambs for the sin of the nation. So there walked the Lamb of God ready to be sacrificed crossing over the blood of sacrificed lambs. It was this same brook that during the time of Hezekiah the king, he cleansed the temple and all the debris that was found there and tossed it into this brook to be disposed of. Both of which picture the sacrifice Jesus was about to under go as the Lamb of God.

It didn’t take much time to erase Peters fierce resolve to not stumble, as we note that he and and the other two couldn’t stay awake. I think this attack is one of the devil’s most successful attacks. The sword that scattered the sheep was yielded by the mysterious “sandman”, who has a history of weakening saints who couldn’t stay awake 1 hour in prayer. Peter could well understand what we do as well, “The spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak.” Perhaps we would say today that “The spirit is willing but our flesh is ready for the weekend!” The key to overcoming our flesh isn’t “time off” it’s time in Jesus who has become our rest. Had Peter and these other two been to appropriating Jesus as their rest they wouldn’t have denied Him! Imagine what would happen if we would come to Jesus in our fatigue and say, “Lord I’m wiped out as person, I’m failing every where I look and I can’t make it with out you. So I’m asking that you give me Your power and strength to get through this.” Prayer is the “extension cord” to plug us back into His power when we have reached the end of our rope!

Vs. 43-45 The kiss

Vs. 43 Jesus and his disciples came to a private garden where the wealthy planted things because it was against the law to spread manure in the city. This was a favorite spot for Jesus to go with His disciples for prayer and fellowship right out side of the city. Human history began in a garden called Eden and it was man’s rebellion that caused them to leave that garden but Jesus entered a garden in obedience to deliver us. Jesus went into a garden where the world’s manure was, a place where crushing took place. And it was in this garden where what was lost in Eden was reclaimed in Gethsemane. 

Vs. 43-44 Judas knew the favorite location of Jesus and His disciples to pray at night when they were in Jerusalem and he used that knowledge to betray our Lord. He knew right where to find Jesus during a time of need, a place of prayer. He had lived by the Lord’s side for over three years had listened to His words. Yet, the only thing recorded of Judas with regards to obedience to the words of Jesus is found in his response to Jesus words in the upper room in 13:27 “What you do, do quickly”. This kiss was a deliberate, prolonged, cold-blooded act of counterfeit affection to a person who had never been anything less then loving to him. How sad it is that people, like Judas, find obedience to the world that leads to death easier than obedience to the Word of love that leads to life!   

The word “detachment” is a Greek word that can mean as few as 600 and as many as 1200 men. So even if we take the smaller number of 600 with lanterns and torches we get the picture that they meant business and had everything necessary for the Posey but didn’t expect they would find Jesus in the first place they looked, out in the open. I believe that finding Jesus in the garden was no surprise for Judas, this ought to have caused him to reexamine his betrayal.  

Vs. 44-46 It was common for a disciple to kiss his teacher, but clearly Judas wanted to identify Him. Perhaps Judas kissed Jesus repeatedly to pre-occupy Him in case Jesus would do some miracle to try to slip away. In Matthew’s account in 26:50 Jesus says to Judas, “Friend, why have you come”. What amazing grace, as Jesus gives Judas one more chance to be forgiven.

Vs. 47-50 Fight of flight

Vs. 47 We know according to Luke 22:49 that as Judas drew near and identified Jesus with a kiss this caused the disciples to ask, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword”. Then according to John 18:10, Peter not waiting for Jesus to reply took his sword and cut off the High priests servant’s ear. We are also told by John that the servants name was Malchus which means king. Malchus is the last person healed by Jesus. It was Thomas in John 11:16 who said to Jesus that he was ready to die for Jesus but it was Peter who demonstrated in misguided zeal his willingness to do so. You may recall in the other gospel accounts that while Jesus was praying three times that this cup might pass Peter was asleep. Peter makes the mistake of many, “Trying to prove his faith by the sword, while he could not do so by his tongue.” According to John 18:26 “Malchus” is the relative of the second person to question Peter with regards to being a follower of Jesus. No doubt it was a bit difficult for Peter to witness to Malchus or his family after this. Judas’ action was rebellion against the WORD of God while Peter’s action is rebellion against the WILL of God and many of us have taking out our sword from its sheath to fight against the will of God in our lives.

• Peter fought the wrong enemy
• Used the wrong weapon
• Had the wrong motive
• And accomplished the wrong result

His failure can be traced to the fact that he was arguing when he should have been listening, sleeping when he should have been praying.  Just prior to this Jesus had told His disciples that were ready to defend Him in Matt. 26:53 “do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” We are told in 1 Kings 19:35 that one angel of the Lord killed 185,000 soldiers in one night and Jesus told Peter in Matt. 26:53 that 12 legions of angels were ready to take on those who came. A legion is 6,000 which = 72,000 men. Now do the math: 1 angel = can take out 185,000 soldiers and multiply that by 72,000 angels who each who could take out 185,000 soldiers. That means they could have in one night taken out over 13 billion which is double the worlds present population. In other word’s Jesus doesn’t need our help! It’s interesting that what was cut off by Peter’s act was Malchus’ ear. We are told that faith comes by hearing. I wonder how many times have well meaning Christians have cut off some non-believer’s ear?

Vs. 48 Jesus asked the chief priests and the captains of the temple, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?” “When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Consider this from two perspectives:

1. To those that claimed Jesus was just a Galilean peasant; if true why was it necessary to bring out an army against an unarmed man who had made no threats?
2. But if Jesus is who claimed to be, the Son of God, what army could possible subdue Him?

John in chapter 18:4 records important commentary, “Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward”. John tells us that this was no surprise attack, no situation by which Jesus was some how caught of guard but a voluntary surrender. Jesus didn’t act as a wanted man; He wasn’t hiding in some cave as they had prepared for. And instead of running He comes foreword and asks “Whom are you seeking?” The soldiers were ready for confrontation and conflict and instead, saw calmness and control as the word brought them to the ground. David wrote in Psalm 27:1-3 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident.”

Again according to John’s account Jesus said to them in verse 5, “Ego Eimi” and as you will notice the “HE” is in italics which mean’s that it was inserted by the translators.  So what Jesus really said was “I am”, a direct reference to His deity. And at the words of “I am” those who came to arrest Him fell to the ground just a small demonstration of what could have His arresting army’s destruction at His mere word. Paul said in Romans 14:11 “Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” And with 600 men laying on the ground clamoring to gather their swords as well as themselves He asked them again whom they sought. I wonder if this time they whispered His name afraid of the same reaction. “I have told you that I am He”, Jesus said. “If you seek Me, let these go their way” and all but Peter and John ran off. Even at His wrongful arrest Jesus concern was for others and not Himself.   

G. Campbell Morgan observes, “When a man unsheathes his sword, and aims at a man’s head but only gets an ear, it is a poor aim.” I can imagine Jesus looking at Peter with that look that says, “I have 72,000 angels ready to come here and defend Me and I need you cutting of a servant’s ear? I need that like….well a whole in the head!” In 50 days Peter would unsheathe his sword of the word of God by the Spirit of God but his aim was the heart of man and 3000 would be brought to life. It was the grace of God that picked up the ear and healed Malchus as it probably kept the authorities from adding a forth cross to put Peter on. Jesus’ words here are good to remember “put the sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given Me?” In Exodus 29:20 we are told that when the High Priest was installed they were take the blood of “the ram, and put it on the tip of the right ear” to signify that the High priest should always have his ear open to the Lord. I find it interesting that the last miracle of Jesus was the restoration of the damage done by one of His followers on His behalf. There in lies a great lesson for us the Word of God is not to be used to take away the hearing of truth but to restore it. We need to ask ourselves, “Does the use of the Word of God in this situation going to take away a person’s ability to hear the truth or restore?”

Vs. 51-52 Richly rewarded

Vs. 51-52 Marks adds this little postscript that none of the other gospel writers do. Most Bible scholars agree that this young man is Mark and it is his way of telling his readers that he was there. But I believe this postscript does two other important things as well:

1. These two verse give a conclusion to the story of the rich young ruler in chapter 10:17-22. Jesus had told him to sell everything he had and follow Him. But the young man went away sad, unable to part with his possession because they possessed him. There is some evidence that this young ruler was none other than Mark and it is his way of saying, “Yes I walked away from Jesus at first but I considered His words and sold all I had and gave it to the poor to follow him.” If that is the case, then the last thing Mark owned was that linen robe, and before the night was finished in the garden he gave that away as well. Mark was in darkness with great wealth but ended up in the light of the garden clothed only in the righteousness of Christ!
2. Second, this story provides an important detail as to where the gospel writers got this information in the garden on Jesus’ prayer. You see Judas wasn’t with them, eight of the disciples were outside of Gethsemane and the three that were with Jesus were asleep and could not have heard Jesus prayers. That means that Mark must have been there watching and listening to Jesus speak to the Father. This story may have never reached the pages of the Bible had it not been for a rich young ruler who lost what he could never keep to gain what he could never lose!     

Mark 14:53-65

“A life changing decision”

1. Introduction
2. Vs. 53-54 Two trials
3. Vs. 55-61 Kangaroo court
4. Vs. 62-65 False verdict

Introduction

For the better part of a year we have been hearing about the presidential election and the warning from both candidates that this is a “the most important election ever” as it has life changing implications. This morning we are going to examine the ONLY event in human history that not only has life changing implications is has eternal life changing implications, the trail of Jesus. The death of Christ is the most significant event in all of human history. In fact, it is the focal point not only of human history but of all time, space and matter, beyond our galaxy, solar system beyond all that there is or ever has been.

When we pick up Mark’s narrative: Jesus has been arrested in Gethsemane, the disciples have been scattered. Now Jesus will face the 1^st of three trials:

1. First according to John chapter 18, Jesus was taken to Annas the disposed High Priest who was the father-in-law of the acting High Priest Caiaphas. Mark doesn’t record this event but John does.
2. Next Jesus is taken to Caiaphas and the courtyard of his residence where two events happen simultaneously:
3. First according to verses 53, 55-65 Jesus is question and false witnesses are brought forward for the expressed desire that the predetermined verdict of guilty would be rendered.
4. Second according to verses 54, 66-72 Peter under goes his trial in the courtyard of public opinion. Both by the way were found guilty! 
5. Lastly in Mark chapter 15, Jesus will be tried before Pilate and Herod will make an appearance as well as they will find not enough evidence to find Him guilty but to appease the crowd they will go along with it.       

Vs. 53-54 Two trials

Vs. 53-54 According to John 18:12, they bound Jesus. Six hundred men bound a savior, the Lamb of God who needed no human rope to get Him to the cross as His love for the Father and His love for us was what was driving Him there, not the cords of human rebellion but the cords of divine love. It is here that the words of Paul in Romans 8:38-39 come to mind where he writes, “I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The very ones that bound Him didn’t realize that He’s willingness to be bound was in order to liberate them from the bondage of sin. In John’s gospel he tells us that the troops first led Jesus to Annas (John 18:13) so this must of been very early in the mourning. Annas’ family were racketeer’s as he and his five son’s ran the temple business. Normally the high priest served for life, but when the Romans took over they made the position an appointed one. Annas had served as high priest for 9 years then each of his five son’s served as well. Having run out of sons he had his son-in-law Caiaphas serve. But the truth was everyone knew that Annas was still the power behind the seat. They were all Sadducees which meant that they did not believe in the resurrection, or anything accept the first five books of Moses. Apparently when Annas realizes he can’t get any where he sent him across the court yard to his son in law Caiaphas. It was Caiaphas who only a few months earlier after the resurrection of Lazarus said in John 11:49-50 that it was “expedient…that one man should die for the people”. We are told again by John in chapter 18 verse 19 that Caiaphas, came and examined Jesus asking Him about His disciple’s and His doctrine. This information is important as the record shows that the sun is about to rise and based upon Jewish law this was a completely illegal trial, for four reasons:

1. All criminals must be tried in the daylight.
2. No criminal case could be tried during Passover time.
3. Only a “Not guilty verdict” could be issued on the same day of the trial, guilty verdicts had to wait one day.
4. Only decisions made at the official court were valid, this was at the home of the high priest.

These were the highest religious leaders in the land, they could trace their ancestors back to Aaron the first high priest. Their position was sacred, yet these men were nothing more then murders! Isa. 8:20 says, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” It is yet another reason we must not follow a man or religion but instead ONLY follow the Lord through His word! So while Peter was in the courtyard warming himself by the fires of the world denying Jesus, Jesus was before the court protecting Peter. As we look at John’s account his first impressions are not Jesus trial before the high priest but Peter’s trial before three servants. In Matthews account we are told that Peter followed Jesus from a distance. Now I suppose when compared with the other 9 disciples, that we can say that at least Peter followed Jesus. But listen up, I believe that we always invite trouble when we follow Jesus from a distance. You will NEVER hear someone say, “I know when all my problems started, it was right when I became more devoted to Jesus and decided to follow Him closer without compromise!” Denial never happens up close it always happens from a distance!

Vs. 55-61 Kangaroo court

Vs. 55-61 They had already predetermined Jesus guilt and now they were just looking for people who could substantiate their conclusion. The 9th commandment states that you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor, but they didn’t care. The problem was they couldn’t find honest witnesses so they had to come up with some and a charge if they were going to put Him to death but none came forward that would substantiate each other. Finally, according to Matthew 26:60 after a night of searching two guys come forward. Now these guys twisted what Jesus said to make it sound something different. What Jesus had said is recorded in John 2:19 and what these two false witnesses claimed Jesus said is recorded in Matthew 26:61:

            A.) John 2:19 “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

 B.) Matt. 26:61 “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.”

Jesus never said “I am able” to destroy the temple! He said “destroy this temple”. To the religious leaders, to speak against the temple was a serious matter, a charge that was punishable by death. Jesus is not the destroyer, that is not His work. To find the truth of what Jesus was speaking of you will need to go back at the beginning of His ministry to when He first cleansed the temple in John chapter 2:19-21as John adds the commentary saying, “He was speaking of the temple of His body”.

At this point Caiaphas steps up and saves their case by doing something that was illegal in their courts by trying to get Jesus to incriminate Himself. Notice Jesus’ reaction to their statement, silence! Isaiah the prophet said some 700 years earlier that the reaction of the Messiah would be, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.” Jesus made no effort to defend Himself, to answer any of the lies of the false witnesses.

In verse 61 Caiaphas uses the legal system to put Jesus under obligation to speak. The question of Caiaphas reveals insight into what the nation had observed about Jesus’ life and ministry. “Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The hope of the nation was the Messiah and they understood that He should be the Son of God, anointed for the purpose of accomplishing Gods will upon the earth. They affirm that what Jesus of Nazareth had been doing and saying pointed to the fact that He was making this claim. You do not put a person on trial for pretending to be something if they had not acted as if they were indeed that person. These religious leaders had observed Jesus to the point that they understood what He claimed to be. So they ask Him, “Let’s make it official under oath to God, are you what you claim to be, the Messiah?” “Give us an open confession in court!”

Vs. 62-65 False verdict

Vs. 62 Jesus gives a twofold answer:

A.) “I am” or as Matthew records It is as you said. Jesus’ answer to the question is as simple as it is profound. “You have observed me correctly!” There is such overwhelming evidence in the truth of who Jesus is. People who really search will find out, but then they will be faced with a choice of what to do with the truth!

B.) “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”: The Caiaphas, under oath asks Jesus the question concerning His Messiah-ship. Yet the high priest had already come to the conclusion that Jesus was not. He already had his bias, his presupposition and prejudice. Matthew 26:64 records that Jesus first said the words, “Nevertheless I say to you”. Which indicates the force behind these words of Jesus as being in spite Caiaphas’ prejudice and pride he would still see. Jesus prophesies the destiny that awaits him at his insistence of continuing in his prejudice. There are many critics of the Bible like Caiaphas, that say that Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah or the Son of God. They say that such claims were inserted by over zealous disciples. But here is a clear passage of scripture that contradicts such false assumptions. Jesus in making this statement quotes two old testament passages:

1.) Ps 110:1 “The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

2.) Dan. 7:13-14 “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven!

But why did Jesus choose those two verses to share with Caiaphas? What Jesus is informing Caiaphas is that no matter what Caiaphas decided to do; Jesus was going to raise, ascend and return in glory. What people do with the truth will never change the truth, but it will change where we will spend eternity.

Vs. 63-64 With this twofold response Caiaphas displays a hypocritical gesture of righteousness as he tears his clothes in a move that demonstrated to all present that he believed Jesus was guilty of blasphemy and having done so in front of the Sanhedrin it sealed Jesus conviction. Without considering the evidence sentence is passed. This hypocritical gesture by Caiaphas according to Leviticus was in its self a violation of the law as it was against the law for the high priest to tear his garments in anger or sorrow. When Caiaphas did this he disqualified himself from being a high priest and unbeknownst to him established Jesus as the Great High Priest, who does not offer animals for the sins of man, He offers himself!

Vs. 65 Though not all recorded by Mark there were four impromptu punishments dished out upon Jesus.

A. First they spit on him: This is a sign of total disdain and contempt. A nasty thing to do as the Greek words inform us that this was not just saliva, it was mucus!

B. Then they beat Him: Only Mark informs us that they first blindfolded Him. If you blindfold someone then hit them they lose that natural reflex reaction of rolling with the punches. So the blows were having full impact upon His face.

            C. Other hit him with the palm of their hands while others used rods.

D. Finally Isa. 50:6 tells us that pulled out the hair of His beard as well. This is why Isa 52:14 says, “So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men;” Further more Isa. 53:3 says that, “And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;” By the time the beating was over, you wouldn’t have been able to recognize Jesus. Yet, through out it all He did not upon His mouth.

Mark 14:66-72

“Strength through weakness”

1. Introduction
2. Vs. 66 The mystery of the other disciple
3. Vs. 67-68 Prediction of restoration before failure
4. Vs. 69-72 Failure of the flesh

Introduction

We now take up the story that happened simultaneously with Jesus 2^nd trial before Caiaphas, Peter’s trial in the courtyard of the world. The story enfolds with Peter eager to redeem himself after his epic failure in the garden of Gethsemane as he couldn’t stay awake. Next we saw him over compensate when, at Jesus arrest, he drew his sword and cut of the ear of the servant Malchus. Now in these verses we see Peter attempting a very brave endeavor as he follows Jesus into the joint courtyard of Annas and Caiaphas, and into the very enemies of Jesus moving so close as even warming himself by the fire with the guards. Quite amazing when you consider it was only a short time ago he had drawn his sword against these same guards albeit hitting a servant instead. This morning we will look at Peter’s failure with an eye upon why we like Peter often fail in our witness of Jesus.

Vs. 66 The mystery of the other disciple

Vs. 66 Peter’s first failure is better examined in the gospel of John as he records what happened in chapter 18 verses 15-17: “Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”  

The apostle John is the only one that records the presence of “another disciple” who according to John’s account went to the servant girl who kept the gate and gained entrance for Peter. The indemnity of this 2^nd disciple has been some what of a mystery. Though not a critical discovery as it relates to Peter’s failure it is nonetheless an important detail. Here is what we know based upon all the accounts:

1. The other “disciple” that followed Jesus with Peter according to John “was known by the high priest”.
2. This other disciple, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept the door and because of this gained entrance for Peter.
3. According to Matthew 26:73 and Mark 14:70 it was Peter’s speech or accent that gave him away at his 2^nd failure. Luke in 22:59 as well as Mark indicates that the servant girl detected that Peter was associated with Jesus do to the fact that he was a Galilean.  

So from these accounts who is this mysterious “other disciple”? There are two possibilities:

1. He is the Apostle John: There are those that believe that this description is a literary reference by John to himself. One of the questions this opinion generates is, “What was John’s connection with the high priest?” For this “disciple” to be John would require John to know the name of the high priest’s servant, Malchus, as well as the person who kept the door. Further more we know that the servant of the high priest was a relative of Malchus in verse 26. These would all be indicators that John would have been very familiar with the high priest’s family. To answer these challenges, those that hold this opinion suggest that the Son’s of Zebedee had a thriving fish market in Capernaum where the son’s of Zebedee were from along with Peter. When you walk through the ruins along side the Synagogue in Capernaum there is a marble plaque advertising the Zebedee’s fish stand. According to history their business was quite successful and their salted fish were considered a delicacy in Jerusalem but could only be afforded by the wealthy and because of this John and his family became acquainted with Annas and his family.
2. He is Mark aka the rich young ruler: There are several reasons why I believe this is a much more plausible possibility. First, there are several problems with identifying John as the “other disciple” that go against the text. We know that it was the Galilean accent that gave away Peter’s association with Jesus; so why didn’t it cause the same reaction with John? If John is the “mystery disciple” he was the first one to speak to the servant girl who later identified Peter and rather doubt that she would have granted either one of them entrance. There is “no evidence” of John being of wealth or of any relationship with the high priest. And if John was wealthy he was a business partner of Peter, he would have been wealthy as well. Now when you plug Mark (aka the rich young ruler) into this same scene and he fits much better. First Mark was not from Galilee, he was from Jerusalem and as such he would have had no problem with his speech. Second, as the “rich young ruler” it is much more reasonable to believe that he would have known the high priest and could have easily without question gained entrance for Peter. Further more we know that Mark later was a disciple of Peter and though a recent disciple not one of the 12 so no one would have associated Mark to Jesus. Having Mark as the other disciple would explain how Peter gained entrance into the courtyard and it would also give greater incite into the radical conversion of Mark after walking away from Jesus offer because he had great wealth.               
3. Vs. 67-68 Prediction of restoration before failure

Vs. 67 Before we look at Peter’s three failures there is a note of great encouragement in Luke 22:31-32 that preceded not only Peter’s denials but also Jesus’ prediction of them. Only hours earlier Jesus had said in Luke’s account a very interesting order that many don’t realize. According to Luke’s account in 22:31-34 Jesus said first in verse 31-32, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Jesus said those words BEFORE Peter’s response of “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” And BEFORE Jesus responded to that by saying in verse 34, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” That means; Jesus predicted Peter’s return before He predicted his denial. Jesus is more into promising our restoration then He is stating our failure? Remember Jesus said “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.” “Falter yes, doubts certainly but fail, no way!” Why? Because Jesus has got a hold on us!

Vs. 68 John’s account alternates between Jesus and Peter’s trials. John tells us Peter was still outside the gate when Jesus trial before Annas had started and then moved inside once Mark had gained him entrance at the start of his 2^nd trial before the son-in-law Caiaphas. John also tells us in 18:18 that it was cold that night; that is unusual for Israel at that time of year is was not normally cold and is usually very pleasant outside. I’ll regardless it is never a good idea to seek warmth around the fires of the enemies of Jesus as you will never fit in and you will eventually get burned! 

It is also interesting in verse 67 that the first servant girl asked, “You ALSO were with Jesus of Nazareth.” This led to Peter’s emphatic denial of any association, when he said “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” Based upon this I find this application: If someone is shocked that you aren’t living up to your profession a least they have at first made the association that you are a follower of Christ.

• Peter followed from a distance
• Warmed himself by the fires of the world
• And according Luke 22:55 finally sat in the courtyard of the ungodly.

Psalm 1:1 shows the same order when we read, “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful”. The difference between Peter and Judas is that though Judas wept the tears of remorse, Peter cried the tears of repentance! Remorse simple means that the outcome of our action didn’t turn out as we intended them to. Repentance means the what our lament is not the OUTCOME but the ACTION! True biblical repentance means: A CHANGE in what we THINK, FEEL and ACT. There is no greater contrast of these two than the difference between Judas and Peter.

It would be good to learn this lesson from Peter’s travels from the “garden of grace” to the “court of public opinion” as inevitably it will always end in denial if we chose to stay at a distance from our Lord. James wrote in 4:8 that if we “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

In John’s account he takes us into Jesus’ trial before Annas and we see how differently Jesus acted then Peter:

• Peter was asked a fair question that had no adverse immediate consequences and he responded with a lie.
• Annas questioned Jesus about two things in verse 19, “His disciples and His doctrine” but Jesus only responded to one and didn’t answer with regards to His disciples protecting them at all costs.

In Hebrews 7:25 we read that Jesus, “…always lives to make intercession for us.”

Vs. 69-72 Failure of the flesh

Vs. 69-72 Here is the 2^nd denial as the same servant girl questions Peter affiliation again saying, “This is one of them.” This young lady was in no mood to walk away from her opinion and make more of a public proclamation to “those who stood by.” Luke tells us what Mark doesn’t saying that Peter’s denial was “Man, I am not!” And Matthew tells us that this statement was a denial under “an oath”.

            Finally, we have the 3^rd denial a little later (Luke says it was an hour) by those who stood by Peter while he warmed himself. John says that one of those men was in the garden and a “servant of the high priest as well as a relative of Malchus whose ear Peter had cut off in the garden”. Talk about the wrong guy to be standing next to when you are trying to deny you association to Jesus! Peter’s denial began with a “curse” but we need to understand that this doesn’t imply foul language instead it means that Peter placed a curse upon himself saying, “May God curse me if what I say is not the truth!” Peter added a solemn oath to his denial of “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” Luke 22:61 tells us that at this very moment the rooster crowed and Jesus turned and looked at Peter, them Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter’s conscience and confidence was shattered; he knew what he had done and he went out and broke down. The Greek word means to throw one’s self down in agony and tears. 

            We have seen these two stories over two weeks but side by side they present a contrast between religion and the love of a relationship. The religious leaders easily set aside their law and tradition to fit their agenda of ridding themselves of a perceived rival in Jesus. In Peter we see a man who has denied under oath the very one he had sworn to defend to death. This contrast reveals why religion and fleshly devotion fail equally: Peter’s faith and the religious leader’s faith both relied on the “FLESH” for its support and power. In the hour of crisis, the “love of a friend who relied upon the FLESH is no more helpful than the hatred of religious jealousy.” Through out church history far too much devotion to God has relied upon what the Bible identifies as the “FLESH”. The church has traded in devotion and the dependence upon the Holy Spirit for activism and direct-mail campaigns. We have reduced the gospel to intellectual theological battles instead of surrender to a loving Lord. The only way the kingdom of God advances is by human weakness resting on the power and wisdom of God.

This is a placeholder. Notes will be added