Scripture Reading: Mark 14:43-72
Key Verse: They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed at a distance (Mark:53,54)
Meditations: In the past I thought of the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion were preplanned by evil men. However, I now realize that Christ was crucified not so much by the intent of evil men, but by the failure of good people. Were we there when they crucified our Lord? Would our attitudes today nail Jesus to the cross? We may be represented by some of the people present at the events:
*The crowd: Probably not one of them got up that morning thinking they would be yelling, Crucify Him, on that Friday. They were swept up in the mob psychology. Are we prone to the herd instinct?
**The temple businessmen (priests): These men dismissed the injunction, "My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations" (Mark 11:17). They provided sacrifices that could be bought right on the temple grounds. Jesus objected to their method of making money on sacred property, they joined the group who wanted to get rid of Him.
The politicians: Pilate knew Roman justice. He knew Jesus was innocent. He wanted to do the right thing, but he followed the will of the majority even though his conscience, his education and his wife him told him it was wrong. ***Caiaphas, the high priest, too, succumbed to the expedient rather than making the just decisions.
Thought for the Day: How often have we allowed ourselves to turn from the written Word to follow the will of the crowd?
----------------- -----------------
*The crowd was there to celebrate Passover. A traditional time of gathering for the whole population as they remembered their escape from Egypt. So there was a larger crowd to satisfy.
**I have also accused these folks of misrepresenting the holiness of God. But they were indeed doing their duty. If Jesus was to our passover lamb a certain procedure had to be in place. Even this trail was a part of it all- finding an innocent lamb free of blemish. More about this can be found at Jesus Our Passover - Scripturescholar.com by a man named Bruce Alan Killian. He is a Christian who has written many articles on the totality of the Bible. Nothing is an accident in this. God had it all planned out, even the timing of the trial and the actual death of His Son-our prefect sacrifice.
***The High Priest, Caiaphas was not of the Levitical line of High Priests. He was not elected by the Palestinian Jews. He was appointed to the highest position because of his family and financial connections. Rome wanted peace. Peace was cheaper then rebellion. Caiaphas delivered that peace for over 10 years.
43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70Again he denied it.After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Key Verse: They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed at a distance (Mark:53,54)
Meditations: In the past I thought of the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion were preplanned by evil men. However, I now realize that Christ was crucified not so much by the intent of evil men, but by the failure of good people. Were we there when they crucified our Lord? Would our attitudes today nail Jesus to the cross? We may be represented by some of the people present at the events:
*The crowd: Probably not one of them got up that morning thinking they would be yelling, Crucify Him, on that Friday. They were swept up in the mob psychology. Are we prone to the herd instinct?
**The temple businessmen (priests): These men dismissed the injunction, "My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations" (Mark 11:17). They provided sacrifices that could be bought right on the temple grounds. Jesus objected to their method of making money on sacred property, they joined the group who wanted to get rid of Him.
The politicians: Pilate knew Roman justice. He knew Jesus was innocent. He wanted to do the right thing, but he followed the will of the majority even though his conscience, his education and his wife him told him it was wrong. ***Caiaphas, the high priest, too, succumbed to the expedient rather than making the just decisions.
Thought for the Day: How often have we allowed ourselves to turn from the written Word to follow the will of the crowd?
----------------- -----------------
*The crowd was there to celebrate Passover. A traditional time of gathering for the whole population as they remembered their escape from Egypt. So there was a larger crowd to satisfy.
**I have also accused these folks of misrepresenting the holiness of God. But they were indeed doing their duty. If Jesus was to our passover lamb a certain procedure had to be in place. Even this trail was a part of it all- finding an innocent lamb free of blemish. More about this can be found at Jesus Our Passover - Scripturescholar.com by a man named Bruce Alan Killian. He is a Christian who has written many articles on the totality of the Bible. Nothing is an accident in this. God had it all planned out, even the timing of the trial and the actual death of His Son-our prefect sacrifice.
***The High Priest, Caiaphas was not of the Levitical line of High Priests. He was not elected by the Palestinian Jews. He was appointed to the highest position because of his family and financial connections. Rome wanted peace. Peace was cheaper then rebellion. Caiaphas delivered that peace for over 10 years.
No comments:
Post a Comment