Written ~ 02-27-2024
Read Mark Chapter Fourteen
Mark 14
Our chapter reading for today gives almost a countdown of events right before Jesus will be sent to appear before Pilate for His final trial before being sentenced to death. This chapter is very important to understand all that was happening, not only to Jesus, but also to His disciples. Jesus knew His time to leave the earth was drawing near. His disciples were still filled with bewilderment, ignorance and fear. The reality of their Master’s betrayal and death had not sunk in yet, even though Jesus had foretold His death many times.
Here is a list of what is taking place in Mark chapter 14…
- 14:01-09 ~ Jesus is Anointed at Bethany
- 14:10-11 ~ Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
- 14:12-26 ~ The Last Supper
- 14:27-31 ~ Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
- 14:32-42 ~ Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
- 14:43-52 ~ Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested
- 14:53-65 ~ Jesus is Brought Before the Council
- 14:66-72 ~ Peter Denies Jesus
In verse one we are told it is two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. Already we see the leading priests and teachers of religious law looking for ways to arrest and kill Jesus. They agreed in verse two that because it was during the Passover Celebration they would have to wait so the crowds of people who were often surrounding Jesus wouldn’t riot.
Jesus and the disciples were at the home of Simon (a man Jesus had previously healed from leprosy) and while there they enjoyed a meal together. As they were “kicking back” after a nice dinner a woman approached Jesus, the text doesn’t say if she even uttered one word to Jesus, but her actions said a thousand words. She broke open a beautiful alabaster jar, the jar was filled with a very expensive perfume made from the essence of nard, essence of nard was typically used in preparing a body for burial, so when the woman poured the oil over Jesus’ head it would have symbolized His upcoming death. But the disciples did not understand the meaning behind the woman’s sacrifice of praise and devotion to her Master. They instead were angry that she wasted the oil and hadn’t sold it to feed the poor. Can you imagine saying that this beautiful moment between her and Jesus was a waste? But Jesus did not criticize her, He made sure to tell the disciples that she would be remembered throughout the world for her selfless deed.
You and I may not be able to place ourselves in that moment, but have you ever done a completely selfless act that gave complete honor and glory to your Savior? Something that may have been questioned by others about the reasoning behind what you did for the Lord? Perhaps they didn’t understand the devotion to the Lord by your act of praise. We all have different ways of giving honor to the Lord and it might look quite different to someone else’s actions. But Jesus will never criticize us when our hearts are fully devoted to Him when we sacrifice our time, money and talents for His sake.
A short time later we find Jesus and the disciples sharing their Passover meal together, it is at that table they learn He will be betrayed to His enemies. Even though the disciples are still full of confusion about the upcoming events, Jesus says in verse 14:21, “For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago.” After their supper Jesus and the disciples made their way to the Mount of Olives, the olive grove was called Gethsemane.
All four Gospels record Jesus praying in Gethsemane…
The prayer in Matthew 26:36-46 says, “He went on a little farther and bowed His face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me. Yet I want Your Will to be done, not Mine.” Jesus went up to pray three different times, each time with the same anguish and grief. He knew His time of betrayal was coming very soon and that He would have to fulfill what the Scriptures said about His betrayal and death.
In Mark 14:32-42, we see the same scene, the words Jesus prayed were recorded this way, “Abba, Father,” He cried out, “everything is possible for You. Please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your Will to be done, not Mine.”
Luke’s Gospel gives us a little more detail, verses 22:39-46, “Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering from Me. Yet I want Your Will to be done, not Mine.” “Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him. He prayed more fervently, and He was in such agony of spirit that His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.”
Then in John’s account, 17:1-26, we are given a more complete record of what Jesus was praying for. Not only was He praying for the cup of suffering to be passed from Him, but He was praying for His disciples, His followers and all of us who would come to know Him as Savior. It is a powerful prayer, make time to read through chapter 17 of John, it gives us great insight as to just how much Jesus loves us and cares for us.
Let’s go back to our text in Mark chapter 14…
While Jesus was praying with such anguish, despair and agony, what do we find the disciples doing? In verse 14:33 Jesus had chosen Peter, James and John to go up the hill with Him, He asked them to keep watch. But each time Jesus came to check on them, they were sleeping.
If the Lord is asking us to keep watch and pray, are we doing just that? Or do we allow the temptations of the world to distract us and cause us to “fall asleep?” Jesus said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with Me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Is that what the Lord has to say to us? Are we diligently keeping watch for the return of Christ? Are we keeping our hearts and minds in tune with the Holy Spirit and in prayer for the will of God to be done in our lives?
This is the moment the disciples needed to be strong and in prayer, because the events to follow would stretch them to their very limits.
The Scriptures even said that,
“God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” (Zechariah 13:7)
The betrayal of Jesus was nearly at hand, Jesus would be apprehended and the disciples, those closest to Him would scatter for fear of their lives.
Would we consider betraying or denying Christ just to save ourselves from some uncomfortable ridicule? Would we consider joining in with the crowd who began mocking Jesus and cry out along with them, “Guilty! He deserves to die!” Or can we stand firm and acknowledge we know the Son of God and serve Him only.
My prayer is that each and every one of us can stand watch, diligently pray and acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior!
~AMEN~