Category: Uncategorized

Mark 14:49
   We really need to pay attention to what Jesus is doing here. He knows exactly what these people will do. He knows exactly why they had done what they had done. Yet, he still speaks to them and tries to get them to think about the evil of their ways. Why? If he knew it was useless, what is the point? Ah, but we don’t do good because evil exists, we do good in spite of evil. All evil will one day fade, and only the good will of Almighty God shall remain. Even then the truth shall be proclaimed. Even then God shall be praised. Even then, his merits will be compared to all others. Jesus speaks to these people words of encouragement, encouragement to turn their backs on the kingdom of darkness. And why? Because that is always the right thing to do. Even if we know they wont listen.

Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us about the Truth. You know that it makes a difference. When you intersect with our lives, it is at that point that we truly begin to live. Make us yours, dear Father, by your blessed Son! We praise you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:48
   Jesus was treated just like a theif in every respect. In fact the thieves were treated better. Judas, Barabbas, and even the theives on their crosses, were treated better than Christ. He was given no consideration. He was totally undeserving of this treatment.

Heavenly Father, you alone know what will happen tomorrow. Though we may try to guess, you already know everything beforehand. Thank you for your guidance. Thank you for your Word! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:47
  This was, of course, Peter. Ever impetuous, he thought it was time to fight. But he had misunderstood the earlier words of Christ concerning the use of the sword. Evidently either he was a poor aim, or the Lord intentionally restrained his hand. In any case, Jesus healed the man’s ear and made it clear that force was not needed. Great multitudes of angels were at Christ’s command had it been necessary to fight.

Heavenly Father, do we forget your plan is not always what we expect? Make us students of your ways! You are so much higher than we, and your ways are so often inscrutable to us. Thank you for always having the best plan! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:46
   It is easy to resist evil against oneself. It is much harder to allow it for greater reasons. Many great men in history have responded poorly to mistreatment. Jesus is a shining example of courage, power, calm, and ultimate control. Jesus’ adherence to the plan was perfect. His submission to the Father was complete. And, he is the example for us to follow.

Heavenly Father, we praise you for your power. But yours is a power directed by infinite wisdom. Thus, both your enemies and your friends stand in amazement at your choices. You know exactly what is going on. You cannot be tricked. You cannot be trapped. Thank you, you can be trusted! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:45
   We see here the most sinister betrayal in history, and yet it looks so easy. Why? Sin comes easy. Righteousness is harder. But, the reward of sin comes in diminishing returns. The reward of righteousness never fades. It just grows. Judas would pay much for his betrayal.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy. As we consider the depth of our sin, we wonder at the depth of your grace. Christ has justified even the chiefest of sinners. What love! What mercy! Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:44
   Though the disciples evidently ran from fear that they might be taken as well, Jesus was the target all along. In fact the focus of the Jewish leaders on him, to the exclusion of the others, reveals that they understood that he was the source of the entire ministry. They recognized and hated his claims to be the Messiah. They saw that he wasn’t just a travelling miracle worker. He was claiming to be the very Son of God. They couldn’t allow that. For the Messiah to come without them having realized it was extremely embarrassing. They thought the Messiah would have to be one that they would identify, and that would uphold their self-righteous traditions.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of our family. Thank you for friends. Thank you for all of the great things that you do for us. But, we also praise you for your patience. And your faithfulness. When things aren’t so easy, and when the sky isn’t so bright, you are still so very true. You are present no matter how things are going. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:43
   The entire religious establishment of the Jewish nation at that time was represented at the arrest of Jesus. Evidently they felt there was strength in numbers. A large group was sent, likely all they could possibly muster at the moment. They didn’t want this arrest attempt to fail. And judging by his reward, they probably didn’t trust Judas much either.
   As we see these events unfold, it is important to remember that this was almost entirely illegal, at least by Jewish law. But, this hardly deterred these erring conspirators.

Heavenly Father, your words, in your Word, never cease to inspire us. Lord God in our best imaginations we fail to gather into one a view of you that satisfies even our own limited understanding of your actual nature. You are so far beyond all of our tomorrows, far before our yesterdays, and far more significant to our now than even we ourselves are that we wonder how we could time our time or signify our significance without you. And indeed, not only is this impossible, but we realize that to ever even know ourselves as we truly are we must know you as you truly are. You are the Architect of our souls, the Artist behind our spirits, and the Author of our minds. Can we ever praise you enough? I think not. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:42
   This shows us that Jesus already knew that Judas was on the way. He gets his disciples going for their own protection. He knew they would forsake him. He got them ready for their flight.

Heavenly Father, your care for us is amazing! You loved us when we were unlovely. You cared for us when we cared not for you. Thank you for salvation in Christ Jesus. We will praise your name for ever! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:41
    There are two possible ways to understand this verse. Modern translations make the portion about rest and sleep into a question. So which is it? Is he telling them to go ahead and rest, or asking them if they are still resting? Well, the fact is that if we leave it as him telling them to sleep, the statement basically has the same effect. In either case he expressing his exasperation with them. “Are you still sleeping? That’s enough! The hour has come.” In other words, your sleep is about to come to an end. Or, we can do the other. “Try to sleep and rest now! That’s over. The hour has come.” In either case, then, the Lord is expressing his exasperation with the disciples. He already knew there wasn’t time for them to get a night sleep if they were going to stay with him. He wasn’t going to sleep, that’s for sure. But, sadly, not only did they sleep when he tried to tell them it wasn’t a time for sleep, but they forsook him too.

Heavenly Father, may we always praise you! We want to bring you glory by our actions and attitudes. You are worthy of our best efforts. Even when we think it is time for something else, we will think of you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 14:40
   Though it is no excuse, it is fine to point out that it was nighttime. Their eyes were heavy because they were tired. Obviously, Jesus wasn’t just interested in them staying awake. He wanted them to be spiritually alert along with him and share in his feelings concerning the seriousness of this time in his life, and theirs.
  
Heavenly Father, help us to be sensitive to your ways. We tend to think only of ourselves and miss so much. We love you and want to know you well. Thank you for always working to this end in our lives. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.