Author: Bill Hall

Mark 15:2 “Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”

   Jesus did not hide his identity. Pilate asked a direct question. He didn’t have to have witnesses like the Jews. If he thought Jesus was guilty, then he was. If he thought he was innocent, then he was. So, he examined him much like a judge would in lower courts. Since Jesus was not a Roman citizen, he had no real rights before a Roman official like Pilate.
   And why did Pilate ask this? He was looking for things that would be offensive to Rome. Claiming to be the Jew’s king would go against Herod, and Herod was in power by the will of the Romans. Jesus could be in a lot of trouble for trying to usurp Herod. However, seeing as Christ did not have violence on his record, Pilate was evidently not very concerned by Jesus’ claim. Troublemakers tend to make trouble. Jesus didn’t make trouble, it followed him. Pilate knew why the Jewish leaders had condemned Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us! It is the joy of our life to know that you have made us, and that you love us. We praise you for your wisdom and power. May we live to serve you. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 15:1 “Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.”

   This consultation was little more than a formality. They had already decided what to do to everyone’s satisfaction. Taking him to Pilate was their only option. They were not allowed to execute people themselves. This does not, however, change the fact that he comes to Pilate as a prisoner, guilty until judged innocent.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Christ! The sacrifice for our sin is complete once and for all, and Jesus is our Lord and Savior. We will forever praise him for the work of the cross which he did for us. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:72 “A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.”

   Ah, what a human place to be! We find ourselves here many times. But must it always be thus? No! We may drink deeply from the stream that changed Peter’s outlook. Though a denier, he went on to proclaim Christ before some of the very same persons here present. He did not look back, but gained forgiveness and looked forward to what Christ would have him serve to him. He quit asking how could I have failed? And began asking how could I quit? He knew living for Jesus a life that is true is our aim. And it takes no back seat to failure. A righteous man falls seven times and rises yet again.

Heavenly Father, may we never dishonor you in our present because we disgraced you in our past! You alone may see to the consequences of our disobedience. And we will submit to that. But to chastise ourselves is not our place. Rather as did one of our great leaders, Peter, we will sorrow for our faults, but move on in your forgiveness knowing you alone may judge us rightly. Oh we praise you for your fairness, faithfulness, and forgiveness! May we never cease to honor your Holy Name! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”

   Now he would look really silly if he admitted the fact. So, he begins to act as a flagrant fellow, tossing out words he ought not to say. This often happens when we are embarrassed and feel trapped by our own failures. We turn to sin as a solution, but it only makes things worse.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the best solutions to our problems. We think we have it all figured out, and then we just sin again. But you are always leading us in the best path. Your Word gives us the truths we need. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:70 “But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”

   His accent easily gave him away. Not being from Jerusalem, he really stuck out. This is one of those cases where what he knew he should do was fighting with what he was doing. He couldn’t bring himself to leave, but he wanted to pretend he wasn’t there. We become very unreasonable when we are trying to be good in our own strength. Peter here discovers the truth of this.

Heavenly Father, I praise you for your great and amazing love for us! You are ready to give us the supply we need to be the people we want to be. Yet so often we just settle for trying to make it up ourselves. Oh thank you for your mercy! You are patient with us. I love you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:69 “And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.”

  So, being not convinced by Peter, this same girl affirms his association with Christ. Likely she didn’t think he would overhear her, but at this point it was all he could think about, and was on guard. She may have followed him. But, it is more likely her duties simply brought her to the courtyard.

Heavenly Father, you are the only one who knows what will happen next. You alone can lead us in the right way. Thank you for your Word! It shows us how to live. It shows us what to do. We are enriched by it. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:68 “But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.”

   Not only does he deny knowing Jesus personally, he is here denying that he even knew who Jesus was at all. Obviously, this is senseless. But, we do senseless things when we are afraid. This servant girl and those around the area probably suspected more as a result of this response.

Heavenly Father, may we always trust in you to keep us safe, rather than looking to ourselves. You can keep us from evil in your perfect plan. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:67 “And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”

   She may have recognized John already, which is likely. This would explain her wording of this sentence. John must have been a bit more acquainted with the politics of the religious elite in Jerusalem. He did not seem to be worried about being recognized. Or, if he did, he didn’t show it. It is important to note here that Jesus of Nazareth was the name that was used by the bulk of the people. Unfortunately, this was an unfavorable identifier. It misses the fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

Heavenly Father, thank you for always having our best interest at heart. You do what is best for us, even if we don’t know what that is. We can trust you completely. You give us what we need to make our lives what they ought to be. Thank you! We will trust you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:66 “Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.”

   Peter was watching from what he probably thought was a ‘safe distance’ in that he would be able to say he was there, but he was far enough away to leave when he wanted. Evidently, he did not expect to be identified. But, he discovered his mistake soon enough. The servant girl likely understood what was going on with Jesus quite well having been this close to the priests. She may have had no malicious intent when she pointed Peter out.

Heavenly Father, keep us by your will, dear Lord. You are to be our protection, and not we ourselves. We must depend upon you for leading us in the way in which we should go. Your wisdom is our best defence. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:65 “Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.”

   This wasn’t the judgement of a criminal, but the humiliation of an opponent. There was no shame, no sense of pity, no mercy for the condemned. As Jesus himself said, this was the hour of the power of darkness. Nothing else explains the sick vengeance being attempted upon the person of Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Christ! What mercy! You love us so much that you allowed this to happen. What a wonder! Thank you! All honor and glory and power be to the Lord Jesus! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.