151. The Hour Has Come – Mark 14:41–42
Mark Devotional #151 – Three times Jesus went to pray alone, and three times he returned. And every time, he found his disciples, who should have been watching and praying, instead sleeping and resting. And now, they were out of time. The hour had come. Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Mark 14:41–42
152. Armed With Swords and Clubs – Mark 14:43
Mark Devotional #152 – At Gethsemane, Jesus has just announced that the hour has come, and that the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. He has just told his disciples to get up, because his betrayer has arrived. And at that very moment, Judas arrives leading a large armed mob. 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. Mark 14:43
153. Betrayed with a Kiss – Mark 14:44–46
Mark Devotional #153 – The armed mob has just arrived to arrest Jesus. Judas is at their head. Let’s look at what happens next. 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. – Mark 14:44–46
154. In Defence of Jesus – Mark 14:47
Mark Devotional #154 – The mob has just seized Jesus and arrested him. The disciples are stunned, not knowing what to do. But now, events take an even more dramatic turn! Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. – Mark 14:47
155. Scripture Must Be Fulfilled – Mark 14:48–49
Mark Devotional #155 – In Gethsemane, Peter has just taken out his sword and attacked the servant of the high priest. And as blood flows, there is uproar. As usual, it’s Jesus who takes control. “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.” – Mark 14:48–49
156. Everyone Deserted Him – Mark 14:50
Mark Devotional #156 – Jesus has just been arrested in Gethsemane. Peter has made a futile gesture of defiance by attacking the servant of the high priest with his sword. However, instead of supporting Peter, Jesus makes it clear that he isn’t going to resist. How will the disciples react now? Then everyone deserted him and fled. – Mark 14:50
157. The Young Man Who Fled Naked – Mark 14:51–52
Mark Devotional #157 – In Gethsemane, the disciples are all fleeing, abandoning Jesus to his fate. And now we find one of the oddest episodes in the Gospel of Mark. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. – Mark 14:51–52
158. Warming Himself By the Fire – Mark 14:53–54
Mark Devotional #158 – After Jesus was arrested, he was taken by the mob back down the Kidron Valley, and then up into the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest. All of Jesus’ disciples had abandoned him. But one of them decided to follow the mob at a distance. 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. – Mark 14:53–54
159. False Testimony – Mark 14:55-56
Mark Devotional #159 – Jesus is now on trial for his life before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin. Christ’s enemies have found many witnesses against him, and the Sanhedrin listen to what they had to say. 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. – Mark 14:55-56
160. The Temple Rebuilt in Three Days – Mark 14:57–59
Mark Devotional #160 – During Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, many witnesses have testified against him, but as is always the case, evil can never agree even within itself, and the witnesses all contradicted each other. Eventually, his enemies brought out their key accusation against Jesus. 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. – Mark 14:57–59
