Chapter 14

"Be Amazed! This thing has become my Body"

Mark 14:1-72

OVERVIEW

The Cup of thanksgiving

Jesus is all backwards from me or — to be more accurate — I am all backwards from Jesus.

I can think of a million things that I am thankful for; family, friendships and food in my belly. Yet, can I say that I thank God for the same reasons as Jesus? He was thankful for those things which I mentioned, yet also one more: He was thankful for THE CUP.

Twice he spoke of the Cup on the night of his passion:

Mark 14:23-24

23 And when He had taken a cup and GIVEN THANKS, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."

Mark 14:36

And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will."

The Cup he gave was his blood poured out for my sin. The Cup he drank was our sin taken to complete the will of God for our salvation. He gave us his blood for our sin and took our sin into his body for our salvation. He gave his blood and took our sin… and then gave thanks to God in the process.

Do I give thanks for only the good things? Only when I am healthy? Only when things are "pain-free" or comfortable? Or, am I also able to give thanks when God offers me my portion of the Cup?

That is how I am backwards from Jesus. That is the mystery of the Passion Week. He took me in as a sinner and brought me back as a child of God.

Do I drink the pain of others and give them back the comfort of unconditional love? Do I drink the pain of injustice and give back the justice of advocacy? Do I drink the pain of loneliness and give back the companionship of the road to Emmaus? Do I drink the cup of other's spite and give back the forgiveness of Christ?

Am I ready to drink that Cup with him?

To drink that cup, I must be ready to say; "Lord lead me on a path to the painful, the forgotten, the lonely, and the victims of injustice. I thank you for the chance to drink their cup and give back your hope."

Do I live my life so that someday I will I hear my Lord take the sentence, "[Mark 14:23] When He had taken a cup and given thanks," and hear Jesus say; "When Jerry had taken his cup he gave thanks."

Lord, give me strength to take the cup that is before me.

MARK 14:1-72

1 Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 2 for they were saying, "Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people."

3 While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4 But some were indignantly remarking to one another, "Why has this perfume been wasted? 5 "For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor." And they were scolding her. 6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. 7 "For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. 8 "She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9 "Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her."

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11 They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples *said to Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?" 13 And He *sent two of His disciples and *said to them, "Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?"' 15 "And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there." 16 The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

17 When it was evening He *came with the twelve. 18 As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me-one who is eating with Me." 19 They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, "Surely not I?" 20 And He said to them, "It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl. 21 "For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."

22 While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is My body." 23 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 "Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

27 And Jesus *said to them, "You will all fall away, because it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED.' 28 "But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." 29 But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away, yet I will not." 30 And Jesus *said to him, "Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times." 31 But Peter kept saying insistently, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And they all were saying the same thing also.

32 They *came to a place named Gethsemane; and He *said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." 33 And He *took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34 And He *said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch." 35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. 36 And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." 37 And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 "Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41 And He *came the third time, and *said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 "Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!"

43 Immediately while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, *came up accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who were from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away under guard." 45 After coming, Judas immediately went to Him, saying, "Rabbi!" and kissed Him. 46 They laid hands on Him and seized Him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? 49 "Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me; but this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures." 50 And they all left Him and fled.

51 A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they *seized him. 52 But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked.

53 They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes *gathered together. 54 Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. 56 For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent. 57 Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, 58 "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.' " 59 Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. 60 The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, "Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?" 61 But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 And Jesus said, "I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN." 63 Tearing his clothes, the high priest *said, "What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 "You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!" And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.

66 As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest *came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and *said, "You also were with Jesus the Nazarene." 68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are talking about." And he went out onto the porch. 69 The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, "This is one of them!" 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too." 71 But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!" 72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, "Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And he began to weep.

MARK 14:1-2

What Jesus Challenges

The religious leaders had decided to kill Jesus but they lacked a charge and concrete testimony. In any country which upholds even the most minimal standards of justice, the trial of Jesus would be seen as a violation of human rights. However, the persecutors of Jesus believed "the ends justify the means."

This is the sin of "expedience."

Here is how Caiaphas, (the High Priest figurehead appointed by Rome) justified the violation of Christ's human rights:

John 18.14

Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

Short-term expedience by today's leaders always punishes future generations. Behind expedience lie three subtle lies:

1. Falsehood will help maintain control

2. Falsehood is necessary; it is part of maintaining control in an imperfect world

3. I can choose a falsehood now and repair the damage later

The death of Jesus was about expedience, the "ends justifying the means." The Chief Priests chose expedience so many times they had become comfortable with breaking the law in order to uphold it. "After all," Caiaphas would reason, "What is killing one man compared to maintaining the current order?"

Of course, Caiaphas and the others were referring to their order and their control.

Once you cross the line of expedience it becomes easier to cross it a second time, a third, and then consistently. The sin becomes compounded by the myriad of lies needed to cover up each act of expedience.

What is horrific is that these religious leaders knew they were killing an innocent man. They had heard of his miraculous works among the poor, many even witnessed and testified to them. They sent spies to accuse him, trap him, and dog his every step. They were not seeking salvation and liberation of their people would mean loss of their power.

They knew they had to "trump up" charges against Jesus. They were the most privileged of the Chosen People, but privilege had become their messiah and truth had relative and convenient; a servant to expedience.

In order to maintain their power these shepherds stole from their own sheep. We too can participate in similar shades deception. We steal time from our families to pay for our luxuries. We rob passion from marriages with pornography and immediate gratification. We steal scarce resources from future generations to power behemoth vehicles that serve primarily as status symbols.

This sin of the Chief Priests was the sin of every generation that is self-absorbed. It is our sin. The justification of conceit. The "cosmetic lie," powdering on excuses like a make-up hiding the ugliness of our intentions.

This sin elevates my needs — not only over the needs of others — but over the needs of future generations. An attitude that permeates a consumer culture.

This is what Jesus challenged and the Gospel still challenges. It challenges expedience in our lives. It challenges falsehood even when we think it is justified.

Christ's life is in opposition to the dictum, "The ends justifies the means."

If we don't control the means we cannot control the ends.

Christ's life did not just challenge the Chief Priests of his day but he continues to challenge the Chief Priest within each of us; the inner self that chooses expedience over consistent transparency.

Using expedience and compromise as primary tools in our toolbox may hide our short-term problems. But it is like living off credit cards at twenty-one percent interest and then using new credit cards at twenty-three percent to pay off the old ones and then stealing money from our children's piggy banks to pay off those debts. It seems expedient at the time but it robs from the future.

To honor Jesus is to realize that expedience is the sin that caused the death of Christ. To honor Jesus means to deeply examine our hearts for any trace of duplicity.

Expedience is the path that killed Jesus and will kill our relationship with Jesus.

Duplicity, expedience, self-justification; these sins are abhorrent to our Lord. One might call them extremely personal sins to Christ. They were the sins by which he was condemned.

MARK 14:3-11

How to find Jesus

If you want to find Jesus, find the lepers of any community. The stigma once attached to leprosy has exponentially expanded to include the unemployed, imprisoned, and elderly. It includes neglected children, the mentally handicapped, the addicted, and the homeless.

We must read this verse closely:

"While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table."

Jesus was reclining, he was relaxed and at home with Simon the Leper.

Do we feel at "home" where Jesus was at home? Jesus was clearly — to make a slight revision to a qoute by Dorothy Day — comfortable with the afflicted but his very presence afflicted the comfortable.

In order to ask: "What Would Jesus Do?" We must first ask: "Where Would Jesus Be?" Predicating the "what" with the "where" would completely revise our response to the question posed on so many bracelets and license frames. Not WWJD, but WWJB.

What would Jesus do in a church filled with praising people who had no acts of justice and mercy in their lives? Would he:

· Lift up his hands, lost in praise and worship as well?

· Avoid such gatherings altogether; or

· Chase out the people, put blankets on the pews and set up a shelter for the lepers of our society?

If we want to find Jesus today, we must go where Jesus would go. We will find Jesus most visible in the power that flows from our love whenever we bring his love to the farthest fringes of our communities.

The exceptional deed

Here is one of the most unadulterated, loving acts of adoration in the whole bible. It is a fulfillment of Solomon's prophecy:

Song 1:12

"While the king was at his table, My perfume gave forth its fragrance."

The New Testament speaks of three occasions when women had come to anoint Jesus.

1. The first was at the house of a Pharisee:

Luke 7:37-38

37 And behold, there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining {at the table} in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38 and standing behind {Him} at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet, and anointing them with the perfume.

In this occasion, Jesus is anointed by an outcast in the home of one of Judea's elite. The Pharisee did not even wash Jesus' feet when the Lord entered his house. This was not a minor oversight; it was a direct insult.

Washing the feet of a guest was a sign of humility and this Pharisee would have none of that! Yet, none of Jesus' own apostles stepped in to rectify the insult by washing their Master's feet either. They would be aware of the gross social indignity but they did nothing to set things right.

Instead, this woman fights her way into the room and pours expensive perfume on the feet of Christ. She wipes them with her own hair and tears. As a King, Jesus had to be anointed to office in the tradition of the Jews:

1 Samuel 16:3

"And you shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you."

1 Sam 16:11-13

11 And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the children?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep." Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

This tender event, with the outcast woman, was the anointing of King Jesus. It is unimaginable in scope that Jesus, Prince of Creation, came to earth and was anointed not by the priests — as was customary — but by a sinner.

Even more incredulous (and indicative of God's kingdom) is the fact that the anointing of Jesus was rejected by the religious of his day. In their mind, the King of the Jews would be anointed by them and certainly not by the unclean.

2. There was to be an additional anointing of Jesus after his death but look what happens on that occasion:

Mark 16:1

And when the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the {mother} of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.

The death of Jesus came too late in the day for Jesus to be anointed for a proper burial. The few mourners barely had time to take Jesus off the cross and rush him to his tomb before the beginning of Sabbath. Had they not been able to place Jesus in the tomb before sunset, he would have been left on the cross for the carrion to decimate. This was normally the highest insult to those crucified. There would be no proper burial for them and their bodies would be left out for all to see as they were picked apart by carrion.

The cruelty of the cross for many was it took days to die and often scavenging birds would attack before the person's death. This is a horrible death and indicative of how depraved humanity can be.

Both the two Mary's and Salome came to properly anoint Jesus, but they were unable to find him. He had risen by the end of Sabbath. So who would anoint Jesus' body for death?

3. Here was the final anointing of the body of Christ:

Mark 14:3

While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.

Our Lord was anointed King by an outcast and anointed to the grave by another outcast. He was rejected by man, spurned and insulted by the elite, but given proper honors by the least of these.

Do you desire to anoint Jesus as Lord of your life? Here is what we can learn from this beloved example. To anoint Jesus we must:

· Give him your most precious gift

This woman gave Jesus all she had. Judas was right, she could have sold the perfume. Instead she used it to adore her master.

Perhaps she was close enough to watch the workings of Judas. How often people tire of giving to a church whose only idea of ministry is managing the upkeep of a building. This woman wanted her gift to go directly to Jesus on the last weekend of his earthly life.

· Give him your total humility

It would not have mattered to Christ if this woman had no perfume to give. If all she had was tears and dirty hair, our Lord would still have received her gift with the deepest appreciation. What the Lord praised in this woman was not the expense of the gift — though it was probably worth a common person's annual income — he exalted her humility. To anoint Jesus is to come before him in absolute humility.

· Forget what anyone else is doing

In each situation of our Lord's anointing, those who anointed him had to be intentionally oblivious to the jeers and abuse of others.

First, there were the insults of the Pharisee. It is hard to imagine how much courage it took for the first woman to even enter the Pharisee's house. Mary, Mary, and Salome would also expect to be harassed by the Roman guards and the Chief Priest's spies. As far as those men were concerned, these women had come to anoint an enemy of Rome and Israel.

The second woman had to undergo the verbal abuse of Jesus' own disciples. She offered the greatest gift possible. Bypassing the opinions of others to give everything to her Lord. She didn't come forward in boldness; she came forward in love. Her fear succumbed to the depth of her adoration of Jesus.

That is the type of blessing Jesus blessed. His response to her was far beyond her wildest hopes. She didn't anoint Jesus with any reward in mind except to love him. When she is ridiculed, look at the protective words of our Savior towards this woman: [Mark 14:9] "Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her."

These are the three attitudes our Lord blesses. She saw that serving him was more precious than anything she possessed. She came to him in complete humility and she testified to Jesus, messianic title through anointing him without regard for anyone's opinion. That is the blessing the Lord blesses.

The Betrayer's Viewpoint

Mark tells us more than one disciple scolded Mary. Luke goes further and states that the verbal scolding was led by Judas and he also gives us Judas' motive. Judas was in charge of the money and apparently stole from the purse to line his own pockets. This particular jar of perfume would have put a satin lining in Judas' pockets.

Some believe that Jesus' embrace of this woman was the last straw for Judas. In his eyes, extravagant compassion was like throwing away money. This was the attitude of the betrayer of Christ.

How often this same argument still brings out the worst in Christ's followers. This woman used all her resources to comfort the agony of Christ on the week of his arrest.

What would it look like if churches sold their ornate decorations to comfort the agony of Christ's wounded body today? What would it look like if churches agreed to spend one dollar on compassion for every dollar spent on building and grounds or choir robes and vestments?

Judas' intentions bore the cloak of responsibility but masked a possessive and controlling heart. Jesus embraced the radical, extravagant act of abandonment and love while admonishing the feigned "respectability" of his CFO.

I must ask myself, "Upon which side of that room would I be found?"

The radical abandonment of love or the judgmental haughtiness of "the responsible?" I pray Lord, if I am to fail, let it be on the side of love.

The poor will be with you always

[Mark 14:7] "For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me."

This is one of the most maligned verses in the entire bible. Too many times (and once is too many), I have heard clergy and laypersons alike use this reading to justify poverty and social inaction. "See Jesus said you can't do anything about poverty anyway." Nothing could be more false and antithetical to scripture.

This woman didn't anoint Jesus to solve his suffering. She anointed him to share his suffering. She simply — and boldly — sought to comfort Jesus.

Poverty is a lack of healthy relationships. The focus of Christian leaders in this society should be creating relationships between the haves and have-nots in a generation of "capitalism-run-amok."

Prejudice and poverty cannot withstand relationship. It is in forming relationships that we will destroy both of these societal plagues.

Jesus was passing his birthright on to the poor. Herein is the inheritance Jesus left for the least of these. A command to his followers; "I will be leaving, but if you seek to still love me; love them!"

Cleansing the poor, feeding them, embracing, including, comforting them is to clean, feed, embrace, include and comfort Jesus. Rejecting the poor is rejecting him. Our Lord was quite profoundly stating to his followers; "If you want to obey me, then give the love that you have for me to the least of these."

A church that radically loves the poor radically loves Jesus. A church that ignores the poor might as well take the cross down and become a country club.

MARK 14:12-16

The first day of unleavened bread

The feast of unleavened bread lasted for an entire week while the Passover meal was just one of the nights during that celebration. The first meal was celebrated the day after Passover but traditionally, most Jewish believers (including Jesus) incorporated the meal into part of the Passover celebration. This places the meal on Wednesday or Thursday night of the Holy Week.

Tradition suggests this meal took place on Thursday night. Here is an overall look at the last week of Jesus' life:

Sunday Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem

Monday Jesus clears the temple

Tuesday Jesus is challenged by the priests in the temple

Jesus speaks to the Greeks

Judas meets with the Jewish authorities about turning over Jesus

Wednesday We are unclear about how Jesus spent this day; perhaps in solitude

Thursday The Last Supper

Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane

Jesus is arrested in the garden

Friday Jesus is tried by the High Priests, then Pontius Pilate. He is then sent to Herod as a "courtesy" and finally returned back to Pontius

Peter denies knowing Jesus

Jesus is crucified

Saturday Jesus is separated from God (hell)

Sunday Jesus rises from hell! (He is rejoined with God)

Preparations

The city would be packed, supplies and lodging would be hard to find. Apparently, unknown to his disciples, Jesus had already prepared a place for their meal.

Secrecy was high. Jesus was a hunted man, so the disciples were to look for a man by a specified well carrying a jar of water. That man would lead them to an upper room that had been prepared for the Apostles. A man did not normally carry water jars in the Middle East so this man would stand out.

There is an important lesson here for the frightened follower of Christ. Quite often our work will take us to places where we feel uncomfortable — even scared — to go. This lesson tells us that Jesus has gone there first. As I tell my friends in jail; "Wherever he sends us — he is already present!"

The Upper Room

The famed Upper Room is thought to have been the upstairs of Mark's (the Gospel writer) childhood home. This is where the disciples were told to wait for the Holy Spirit and where the early church met. If ever there was a holy sanctuary for Christians — that would have been it.

Yet, we are not to have such frivolous idols. As Christians, we are not to cling to what was; we are to go forward and reach those who have yet to be touched by the love of Jesus. All too easily we become attached to places and things, rituals and legalities. Jesus would have none of this.

My office has become the dashboard of my car and I believe that is how Christ would desire it for me. We are called to go to the harvest, not wait for the grain to cut itself and march into our silos. Jesus was master of a Church-On-the-Move. Too often we find ourselves warming pews in the Church of the Stagnant Backwater.

Let's not attach ourselves to a place, but to a cause. Let's not reserve a pew in the back third of a church. Instead, let's take our Lord out of the Upper Room and into the lowest pits of humanity. That is where Christ's light shines boldest and brightest.

MARK 14:17-21

17 When it was evening He *came with the twelve. 18 As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me - one who is eating with Me." 19 They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, "Surely not I?" 20 And He said to them, "It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl. 21 "For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."

One who is eating with me

Jesus knew the character of men. During their first meeting, Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter. Jesus saw the man that Simon Peter was to become, not the man he had been [Matt 16:18]. Before Jesus saw Nathaniel, our Lord saw him sincerely seeking peace. This is what the Lord meant when he said to the Apostle; Nathanael *said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you [John 1:48]."

Jesus knew the character of Judas as well and this makes us wonder about two possibilities:

1. Did Jesus think he could change Judas?

2. Did Jesus know Judas would betray him but also know he was part of God's plan?

I do not doubt that Jesus desired Judas to "come around." Yet, Jesus also knew the deceptive desires of Judas and the warring nature of humanity.

Matthew 9:4

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?

Luke 16:15

And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God."

Luke 24:38

And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

That leads us to the realization that Jesus knew Judas would be his betrayer as prophesied in the Psalms:

Psalm 41:9

Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 55:13-14

13 But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend. 14 We who had sweet fellowship together, walked in the house of God in the throng.

We know that Jesus was not "duped" by the behavior of Judas. So why would Jesus permit his betrayer to walk so intimately among his followers? I can only think of two reasons:

Jesus not only tells us to love our enemies [Matt 5:44]; he also shows us how he loved his betrayer.

Jesus obviously knew the plot against him long before it Kay revealed [Mark 10:33]. Still, he never shirked from his cup, even to the point of allowing his betrayer to dine intimately in his presence.

Of all the great religions of the world, none of the leaders of those religions ever said what Jesus said:

John 13:34

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

Some religious leaders have gone as far as to teach the Golden Rule; "Do unto others as you want them to do unto you." Yet, what Jesus tells his followers is radically different. He tells us to love like he loved. He leads not by philosophy but by example.

Now, what about us? Do we love the betrayer in our midst or are we quick to murmur behind his or her back and drive that person away at the first sign of disagreement?

What was the primary lesson of how Jesus treated Judas? Our Lord knew his betrayer and loved him as much as he loved his other disciples. Am I strong enough in Christ to include potential betrayers in my relationships? Am I strong enough in the Lord that my love will extend to all on a non-exclusive basis? Will I love like Jesus NO MATTER HOW OTHERS respond?

If not, then my love is merely a convenience not an unconditional commitment.

"Surely not I?"

Computer grammar checks hate this sentence; "Surely not I?" It is a statement that ends with a question mark. In the original Greek, the disciples simply turn to Jesus and emphatically ask; "I!?" [G1473 ego] This is a primary pronoun, used only in emphatic statements. It is as if every man (except Peter) turned to Jesus and said; "Of course you can't mean me, Lord?"

Almost every man in that room (save the one who would later deny Jesus) knew that the seed of betrayal lay within their heart. Every one of them must have murmured doubts about Jesus' direction. Each person realized that the potential for evil lay just beneath the surface of their doubts. Each had to examine their own actions and private discussions and no one — save for Peter — would answer with any surety; "It is not I!"

It would be easy to condemn these men, but that would be akin to acting like Judas and Peter. Judas must have looked at these men with contempt. He knew what he was going to do — he had already made the bargain. This must have been further evidence to him that Jesus was a "fraud and a fad."

Peter must have had contempt too — but towards the other followers. He was so self-assured in his confidence that he must have sneered when he said in front of the others; "Lord, I would lay down my life for you [John 13:38]."

As we look at these followers and their interactions with Jesus, our only proper response is to see ourselves in them.

In true humility, we need to continually pray that we would know ourselves well enough to admit our propensity to fail. It is humility that will lead us to rely on the Holy Spirit and not upon ourselves.

If he had not been born

Perhaps the greatest statement that could ever be said about a Christian is found in Paul's self-written eulogy:

2 Timothy 4:6-8

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Yet, no sadder eulogy could ever be delivered than the statement that Christ makes about his betrayer:

Mark 14:21b

"It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."

We have already learned that Judas abhorred the compassionate love Jesus drew out of people. Far more important to Judas than love was the comfort, control, and prestige he could buy with money.

Judas was consumed with a vision of a Messiah that would destroy all opposition and Judas saw himself as the Treasury Secretary of this new Ruler. Power was far more important to him than love. The Sanhedrin sold Jesus for expedience but Judas sold Jesus for comfort, greed, and gain.

Listen to what our Lord is saying here. It would be better for a person to never have been born than for a person to place their own comfort, greed, and gain above the love of God and God's love for people.

We must quit hoarding. We must quit hating. We must quit judging if we are to become servants of Jesus Christ.

This is how we must change our being if we do not want our lives to resonate with the same horrific eulogy as Judas; "It would have been good for that man if he had never been born."

Instead, imagine a eulogy like Paul's last words. "[Insert your name here] has fought the good fight, [s]he has finished the course, [s]he has kept the faith."

Yet, look carefully at the verse just prior to those words. "[S]He is already being poured out as a drink offering."

To hear the words of Christian greatness we must be poured out. Let nothing remain in our cups except the scent of Jesus. Let the true work of our life be abandonment and pouring out.

MARK 14:22-25

"Be amazed, this thing has become my body"

Jesus began as the traditional leader of the Passover meal with his disciples. Then he suddenly swerved from the safe track of ritual to what has become a theological mine field for thousands of years. It is tragic the last meal of Christ — a meal meant to unite all of his followers — has become such a dividing point for Christian denominations.

Some denominations believe Christ's statement was symbolic and the bread represents the body of Jesus. Others believe Christ changed the substance of the bread into the flesh of his body.

Let's look at the words the Synoptic Gospel writers used to describe Christ's statement:

Mark quotes:

"Accept this," or more accurately, "Be amazed by this [G2983 lambano]"

"Eat [G5315 Phago]" This word was also used as a substitute for the more commonly used statement, "Eat and live [G2068 Esthio]"

"That is to say [G5123 toutesti]"

"My [G3450 mou]"

"Body," physical body as different from pneuma (spirit). It was also a term occasionally used for slave [G4983 soma].

Luke states [Luke 22:19]:

"This thing [G5124 touto]"

"Consists of" or "is" [G2076 esti] (Note that Mark uses the contraction of these two words)

"My [G3450 mou]"

"Body [G4983 soma]"

Matthew's version is a combination of Luke's and Mark's translation [Matt 26:26]

"Be amazed [G2983 lambano]"

"Eat [G5315 Phago]" (see Mark)

"This thing [G5124 touto]"

"Consists of" or "is" [G2076 esti]

"My [G3450 mou]"

"Body [G4983 soma]"

In street and prison ministry, denominationalism confuses and divides people. The men and women I associate with are more concerned about sobriety or finding a safe place to sleep than theology. They want Jesus in his purest and simplest form.

They want to know what Jesus did. Theological discourse on what Jesus meant — or what I believe he meant — is a convenience best left for those who are not in the harvest.

And giving thanks

The ritual celebrating this unique Passover meal is known as the Eucharist. The word, Eucharist, comes from the simple practice of giving gratitude to God before a meal [G2168 Eucharisteo].

As Jesus prepared the meal that night, he did two things:

1. He blessed [G2127 Eulogeo] the bread

This term was used in a number of circumstances: Speaking well of someone, invoking a benediction upon something or someone, or praying for someone to prosper.

2. He gave thanks for the cup [G2168 Eucharisteo]

These were common practices you would find occurring in thousands of households all over Jerusalem that very same night and hour. Yet, there was one incredible difference between all those other blessings and the blessing in that one room — the Upper Room.

In other households, people were remembering the old covenant. They were remembering how God set them free from slavery. They reflected on how the Angel of the Lord "passed over" their households as he killed the firstborn sons of Egypt.

No doubt many were praying with anger and hatred towards the Romans who now ruled them. Many were praying for freedom and power to once again reign in Jerusalem. They pleaded for freedom from captors and power over other nations.

However, in this blessing in that one room, the Messiah had already come. In this blessing in that one room, a new Covenant was being offered. In this blessing in that one room, Jesus Christ lifted his body and his blood for a new Passover.

By his death and resurrection the wage of sin was paid. Judgment "passed over" sinners and landed squarely on this one sinless soul. Jesus became the Passover lamb, the pure and spotless life that was sacrificed for our stained and corrupt lives.

In this blessing in that one room, a new covenant set us free — not from Rome — but from our own hatred and anger. It was a freedom from captivity to sin; a freedom greater than any power on earth.

The Amazing Gratitude

It is amazing to me that, on the night he was betrayed, Jesus looked to the Father and gave thanks. It is amazing because the cup he was about to bear — the cup for which he was thankful — was the cup of his own blood.

We can never understand Christianity until we understand what it meant for Jesus to give thanks over the cup of his own blood. We will never truly practice Christianity until we learn what it means to be a sacrifice for others; to give up our own wants for the needs of others.

Dominican priest and author, Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, describes the last supper as centripetal and centrifugal. Centripetal in that the breaking of the bread calls us to table with Jesus. Simultaneously, the pouring cup of Jesus is centrifugal and sends us out to the world.

Jesus took that cup in full knowledge his blood was to be demanded that night and he gave thanks! That is the core of our faith.

MARK 14:26-28

26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

After singing a hymn

I am struck by the thought of how beautiful our Lord's voice must have been. How I would thrill to someday hear that voice sing out the Psalms.

Music has a way of bypassing the head and going straight to the heart. That is why I use it so much in jails, schools, and homeless shelters. It disengages the brain like a clutch letting us slide into a higher gear. Some say singing is praying twice. I have also heard; "If you sing well, sing loud in thanksgiving. If you sing poorly, sing twice as loud in revenge."

When I sing with children; they sing at the top of their lungs. If you tell a four-year-old, "You're not singing very well," they don't become ashamed and bow their heads. They think you want them to sing louder. We need to be more like children and sing out in joy.

To sing is to return a blessing to God. To sing in difficult circumstances is an even greater blessing. One of the most incredible examples of how important singing was to the followers of Christ is found in the book of Acts:

Acts 16:22-33

22 And the crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them, and proceeded to order {them} to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; 24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains were unfastened. 27 And when the jailer had been roused out of sleep and had seen the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!" 29 And he called for lights and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that {very} hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his {household.}

When you sing, you are no longer imprisoned. I see this all the time when I go into prisons and jails. For two to three hours the men or women are lifted beyond the boundaries of temporal space and time. We are freed in the act of praise and worship.

I see the same thing in rest homes. Beautiful spirits trapped in broken bodies are set free to the sounds of "How Great Thou Art," or, "Amazing Grace."

It amazes and stirs me that on the night he was betrayed, Jesus gave blessings — he gave thanks — and he sang hymns to God.

Lord, let me not stray from this beautiful truth! Please let me be a "Bless-er," a "Thanksgiv-er" and a singer of your glory — no matter what my circumstance! In sacrifice or in jail, in frailty or sorrow, let the words from my lips always be words of praise and thanksgiving.

Psalms 19:14

[14] Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Strike the Shepherd

Jesus is quoting from the prophet, Zechariah;

Zechariah 13:6-9

6 "And one will say to him, 'What are these wounds between your arms?' Then he will say, '{Those} with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.' 7 "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man, My Associate," declares the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; and I will turn My hand against the little ones. 8 "And it will come about in all the land," declares the LORD, "That two parts in it will be cut off {and} perish; but the third will be left in it. 9 "And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"

Zechariah was a contemporary of Nehemiah and Haggai and his book was penned between 520 B.C. to 480 B.C. During this time, the Israelites were released from slavery in Babylon and allowed to return to Jerusalem. It was the work of Zechariah, Nehemiah, Haggai, and the priest, Ezra, to focus the returning flocks on restoring the devastated city of Jerusalem. Not only were they called to rebuild their temple; they were also called to rebuild their nation and their relationship with God.

It is to these issues that Zechariah speaks. He is the most Messianic of the Minor Prophets. It is Zechariah who says the Messiah will come to rescue people from sin and that one-day everything will be under his rule. Zechariah and Haggai both call God's people to return to the desolation, focus on the Lord, and restore the holy places.

We are called to do the same. Where is the desolation in our own community and how do we take God's presence there?

Zechariah also tells us that there will be great opposition to God's plan. That many will lose focus and that others will boldly attack God's followers. These have been the twin enemies of faith throughout the generations. By far, however, the worst enemy of Christ is the first (losing focus), not the second (bold attacks).

The people of God have always grown during opposition while we lose focus in comfortable times. It was the goal of Haggai and Zechariah to make people uncomfortable enough — upon their return from Babylon — that they could be forged into a community.

They had been slaves for generations and still thought like slaves. They thought like victims, seeking only to survive and amass whatever they could for themselves. The prophets had to take the slave out of them and put a new identity into them. They were calling God's people to a common vision and a common effort that would bond the people to each other and their God.

Enemies’ thought by attacking the leaders, they could scatter the people. Yet those who oppose God never realize that the Holy Spirit is not centered in a person but in a people. God's presence is not relegated to a place (that can be destroyed) but a spirit that is refined by stress; "And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested."

God's prophetic plan drew Satan's ire upon Jesus. When Satan struck the Son of God the shackles of sin were broken for all those who share in the body and blood of the Lamb of God. We are a freed people, we are God's people; "I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'"

I will go to Galilee

"But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee [v28]."

The intriguing thing about Jesus is that he does everything backwards from our perspective. Our minds are only capable of conjuring up gods like us. Gods whose power makes them distant, capricious, condescending, unreachable and spiteful. We do not imagine a God who blesses children as the "greatest in the kingdom."

It is difficult for us to imagine a God who is ever-watchful of the poor and weak. A God that sees our sin and sends his son to die on our behalf; "While we were yet sinners..."

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

We could never invent a heavenly prince who began his life birthed in a stable carved in a limestone hillside. This is the very same prince who began his ministry by going to the unclean and who took his healing to the streets instead of occupying his rightful throne in the temple of Jerusalem.

Christ's first action (after his baptism and temptation) was to follow two young men to their home in Galilee. The Son of God goes to his own, he doesn't wait for them to come to him.

Then, as Jesus closes the most somber dinner in history, he promises again that he will go to their home. Jesus, the Christ, Messiah and Son of God, promises his first act as a resurrected Lord will be to go to the home of his friends.

What does that tell us about our God? He is the God that goes to his people. The God that seeks the suffering and goes tothem. We have a GO TO God. We, in turn, are called to be a GO TO people.

Galilee was the despised sibling of Jerusalem and that is where Jesus headed. Chief Priests and temple worshippers sneered upon the Galileans as trouble-makers and yet that is where Jesus goes. That is also where he sends us in every city, in every town.

The greatest eulogy that could be said about us will not pertain to how well we took care of buildings or preached flowery sermons to awe-struck congregations. It will be how we went, like Jesus, to the furthest reaches of our cities and loved people there.

MARK 14:29-50

29 But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away, yet I will not." 30 And Jesus *said to him, "Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times." 31 But Peter kept saying insistently, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And they all were saying the same thing also.

"I will not deny you!"

There are two ways to view the failure of Peter:

1. The pride that leads to sin

Peter's denial is basically a statement of personal pride and overconfidence. Peter actually denies Jesus long before he stands outside of Pilate's courtyard. Rather than respecting the Lord's insight and falling to his knees for assistance, Peter challenges the Lord's prophetic ability. "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!"

2. The surest way to sin is to rely on my own power to resist it.

Jesus knew that Peter was going to fail him. In the Lord's words there is no hint of judgment or hatred. In fact, Jesus goes on to take Peter with him as one of the three who are called to support Jesus during the moment of his most intimate prayer. Though Jesus knows Peter will deny him — he still does not cast Peter out.

Our God knows we will sin. He knew we would sin even before we were born. That is the most amazing truth about our God. He knew we were going to sin and yet he gave us life. Then, even before he gave us life, he breathed Jesus Christ — our salvation — into existence.

Our salvation was created long before our sin because God knew we would fall. He knew we would fall and loved us anyway.

No one who understands that truth should ever be judgmental of another person's life. No one who understands that truth should carry hatred in their heart. No one who understands that truth should live in sarcasm instead of gratitude.

Peter just didn't quite "get it" yet, and — for most of us — it will take our entire lives to understand.

The sin no one else was brave enough to commit.

If we read this verse closely, we will find Peter was not the only one who stated he would not deny Jesus: "And they allwere saying the same thing also."

All of the Apostles who were present denied they would abandon Christ. Yet, none were present during Jesus' trial and only John (the youngest of the Apostles) came to publicly comfort Jesus at his crucifixion.

Peter's sin stands out because only Peter had the courage to try and stand beside Jesus during his trial. We can fault Peter all we want, but Peter failed where no one else was brave enough to go. Peter fails at walking on water. He fails by confronting Jesus when the Lord turns his face towards Jerusalem. Peter alone has the gall to advise Jesus, Moses and Elijah about building a new temple of worship on the mountaintop. Yet, Peter attempts what others would not even consider and speaks aloud when others kept their mouth shut.

For this reason, Peter is also given the title, "The Rock." Peter falls the farthest only because he climbs the highest. Can we say the same thing about our faith? Do I fall far because I climb high? Or, is my greatest moral failure that I miss warming a pew on Sunday morning?

"Lord, if I am to fail let it be at the heights of faith and not in the lowlands of mediocrity!"

MARK 14:32-42

The Vantage Point

The vantage point of Gethsemane is directly across the hillside from one of the main exits of Jerusalem. In terms of being an optimal place for a fugitive to pray, the Olive Garden was absolutely the wrong location.

It was where Judas knew he would find Jesus. If Jesus did not want to be found he could have gone any place else. He could have fled to the wilderness or even back to Galilee. Instead, Jesus goes to a place Judas knew well and where the betrayer could easily find the Messiah.

Essentially, Jesus turned himself in for our sins. We have the death penalty but he took the executor's blow. Our Lord did not fall into a trap, he awaited it.

Jesus would be able to see the soldiers and their torches following Judas out the gates of Jerusalem. He would watch them trek down the Kidron Valley and up the hillside to the Garden where Jesus waited.

I cannot imagine how much strength it must have taken for Jesus to continue praying as the torches of those soldiers crossed that valley and started up the hill. While we flee from the consequences of our own sin, Jesus stood his ground on his knees and took those consequences for us.

"Could you not keep watch?"

Jesus does not ask us to share the consequence of our sin (the sole and eternal consequence of sin is separation from God). In fact, when the soldiers came to take Jesus, he sent his apostles away. All Jesus asks is that we pray with him as he faces our cross.

Who can contemplate the utter loneliness Christ must have felt as the soldiers crossed the Kidron Valley? Who can imagine his loneliness as he sweat blood awaiting torture amid the sounds of his snoring friends? He was, "grieved to the point of death."

My friends, whatever sorrow we might feel in our lives — regardless of the depth of our loneliness — we can give it to Jesus. He knows our pain and more. We can give all of that sorrow and more to Jesus because we know he is the Lord who held his ground. He never retreated from the fear and isolation that came upon him. All so we might be delivered from the sentence of sin.

Can we hold our ground and pray with him?

How do we hold our ground and pray with the Lord? We pray with the sick and dying, the elderly and imprisoned. In these situations, there is very little anyone can do for another physically. That makes many people so uncomfortable they won't even visit a friend who is ill. At the root of that discomfort is the feeling we need to "solve" the problem. A deep sense of our own helplessness or worthlessness.

It comes from fearing we will lose control, instead of letting ourselves be God's vessel in the present.

On his last night as a being bound by mortality, Jesus makes himself a vessel — a cup — before God. He does not ask anyone to go to the cross with him. He only asks us to stay and pray. Can we hold our ground and pray with him in the form of the sick, crippled, elderly, or imprisoned?

The Perfect Prayer

"Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will."

Here is the most perfect prayer in all of scripture. The prayer to drink the cup that is our portion. Not to turn away from it, but to be a witness to God's glory no matter what befalls us. It is usually the cup we reject that will bring us closest to God.

Scripture, in fact, tells us that suffering in this life is to be embraced, not avoided. Paul, when imprisoned, doesn't seek to be released. He encourages others in their suffering for the Name of Jesus. [2 Titus 1:8] "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God."

Paul also tells us suffering is a sure way to personal growth and Christian maturity (character).

Romans 5:3-5

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We do not need to seek suffering (and neither did Jesus); but we mustn't flee it either. Instead we ask; "How can my suffering glorify your Name, my Lord?"

God desires to do something far greater in our lives than plant us in the shallow soil of self-fulfillment, pleasure, and comfort. Instead, he wants our feet deeply planted in the ground of endurance and strength. A wise parent knows discipline and resolve are the greatest gifts he or she can leave a child. Endurance is the cup that leads to heaven. It is a cup we drink for others and not for ourselves. It is the cup that Christ chose and the cup that became salvation.

MARK 14:43-52

51 A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they *seized him. 52 But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked.

"Whomever I kiss, He is the one."

How I wish I could scorn Judas — the man who betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Yet, the only response I can muster is shame. Shame for the many times I have walked with Jesus, claimed him as Lord, boasted of being a disciple, and then betrayed him with kiss.

My dear friends, it is with deep humility I profess to you I am a sinner. I confess that — though I abhor sin — I know I shall sin again. I am like Paul who professes; "For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [Ro 7:15]."

I confess this to you, not as an excuse, but as one who needs constant prayer. And, I offer to any of you who seek comfort, the heartfelt prayer of another sinner bowed before God.

Passion Sunday is the day when all of us might consider turning to our only hope in utmost humility. On this day, we turn from our judgment and offer each other a peace this world will not — cannot — comprehend. If any of us finds the forgiveness of Christ it will only be because someone touched us (while we were yet sinners) and told us; "You are still beloved — always beloved."

If all a church did was remind people of their belovedness then it could claim Christ's banner with honor.

I am sincere my dearest reader, that if you have yet to hear these words, sinner that I am, I offer them to you. I pray that these words might find the wings of the Holy Spirit and travel beyond the medium of this page to your heart. Let no burden bear you down or hold you back. Every soul born who has called upon the Name of the Savior has also betrayed him with a kiss. If it were not so, we would have no need of a Savior. Be confident in his salvation; we are forgiven.

One of those who stood by drew his sword

Matthew and Luke recount this incident of the sword as well. Only John goes into greater detail and tells us exactly who drew the sword and cut off the slave's ear:

John 18:10-11

10 Simon Peter therefore having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus. 11 Jesus therefore said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?"

Mark learned the Gospel from Peter and Matthew and Luke drew most of their Gospel from Mark's hurried version. Is it possible that Peter shared this event with Mark (but didn't tell him who drew the sword)? Is it possible that Mark heard Peter say, "I drew the sword," but omitted Peter's name from the Gospel?

There were other terribly embarrassing events in which Peter's name is revealed, so why not this one? Is it possible that Peter and/or Mark were so embarrassed by this event that they did not want to say who drew his sword?

Was Peter more embarrassed about this event than any other? More embarrassed about this event than trying to walk on water? More embarrassed about this event than trying to stop Jesus from going to Jerusalem? More embarrassed than when he tried to give Christ directions at the transfiguration? More embarrassed than by his denial of Jesus? If so, what is so embarrassing about this event?

Peter must have looked back upon this event with a huge sense of humiliation. It reveals the intent of Peter's heart. For, more than likely, Peter suspected that if he drew his sword and leapt in front of Jesus he would be at the forefront of legions of angels following him into battle. After all, he was the Rock. Isn't this what it meant to be the Rock of The Lord?

Peter himself would lead the battle for Jesus. Peter would become like David's Saul, leading the new king into battle. A conquering hero who drew first blood in the Name of the Messiah. He would be the arm of the Lord, Jesus' Secretary of Defense.

Imagine how humiliating that would have felt after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Imagine how I would feel after years of reflection and the full realization that my macho sword-handling was an embarrassment to my Lord and Savior. How would I feel upon learning that I had tried to wrestle the very cup of salvation from Christ's hand?

Yet, how often have I stupidly tried to defend Jesus only to realize what I was really doing was defending my religion? My personal interpretation of God. My opinion and biases about God.

Does God need my protection?

How often have I made a fool of God through my belligerent actions and bellicose words? How often have I embarrassed the Lord by "leading the charge" instead of drinking the cup?

I need to put down my sword and pick up my cup.

The best defense of Jesus is living life in service and humility, drinking the cup of sacrifice, not rattling the saber of opinions and doctrine.

Prayer

"Lord, let me not seek to be your bellicose swordsman but the most willing servant in your kingdom. Let me not seek to slice at ears with my rapier wit but to heal ears that have been stung by anger, reproach, and hatred. Let me bind together, not tear apart."

"Every day I was with you."

Sometimes my heart is overwhelmed with sorrow for those I see on the streets or in the jails; people who live in hopeless misery. I often feel a similar sorrow for people trapped in consumerism and competing for social status.

The saddest part of all our lives is that the incomprehensible love of Jesus Christ is totally accessible to us right where we stand but we do not tap into it. It is like a man wearing a cardboard box on his head and crying; "I am blind, woe is me for I am blind." He runs into obstacles, walks around in circles and falls into the same hole over and over again. Yet, he does not have to. All he has to do is take off the cardboard box! He hears the joy of those around them but sneers; "Well, they don't know what it is like to be me. They don't have to wear a box like I do."

The magnificent story of Jesus is often accompanied by the tragedy of terribly untapped potential. It is like we sit five feet above the largest aquifer in the world and complain about the price of water. Some of us are even aware we sit on this huge reserve. We're just "too busy to tap a well."

We're thirsty, we're dirty, and we're paying exorbitant amounts for bottled water, but we don't have time to drill a line to the source:

John 4:10

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

Will we have the good sense to tap the well and quit losing precious time, potential joy, and immeasurable peace?

Every day Jesus is with us. We can tap into him through habitual prayer, studying his word, participating in a community of Christian accountability, and by service to the least of these. Let's not wait until it's too late to hear the words; "Every day I was with you."

They all left Him and fled

In the span of a few hours the Apostles of Jesus went from prophesying they were Christ's brave soldiers bent on living out Christ's prophecy and "scattering like sheep without a shepherd."

They started by saying that they would never deny Jesus: But Peter insistently boasted, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!"

Shortly after their initial bravado, they left the upper room in Jerusalem and walked a short distance over to the Mount of Olives. Despite all that Jesus had told them — about the type of death he would face — it never seemed to hit home for the apostles until the last final moments. Despite all of Christ's warnings, they were still caught totally unprepared.

Is this any different from me? I can read scripture day after day, but will I be caught unawares when it is my turn to share the cup? What will my witness be when I am called to deal with immense temptation, suffering illness, or loss in my life?

This is why we each need to "practice the Gospel" and not just "preach it." As we take the Gospel out to the furthest reaches it gains power in our life.

Though I studied scripture for years and heard the word preached since I was a child on a kneeler, I did not know scripture until I took it out of the pew and into the streets. I knew the intricacies of scripture but I didn't know the power of the Lord until I went to places where I felt powerless.

Let the practice of the Gospel become our preaching. That way, in the day of temptation or suffering, we might witness to the Lord in humble strength.

He pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked

There is an interesting parallel to this verse in scripture. First of all, most scripture scholars agree the young man who fled was probably none other than the Gospel's writer, Mark. This is his personal touch.

The embarrassing revelation of a young man who followed Jesus and then fled from him. Though we cannot be sure, it is most probable that after the Last Supper in Mark's upstairs room, the young man followed Jesus and his disciples to the Mount of Olives. He did not wish to be seen so he hid in the bushes. Then, as the soldiers drew near, Mark was discovered and (as he fled) someone ripped away his "linen sheet."

It tells us something intriguing about the character of Mark. He is the writer of the "Immediate Gospel." Perhaps on that fateful night, he had been sent to bed early, like any common child or young teen. When he saw Jesus leaving with his disciples, he arose and followed them out the door. In his rush, he didn't even take time to put on clothes. He just grabbed his bed sheets and ran after Jesus.

How scary it must have been for Mark to escape from near arrest. He was buck naked and trying to make his way back to the safety of his house in the center of Jerusalem on the busiest festival day of the year! It would be almost comical save for the hidden sorrow in this story.

We can see that sorrow revealed in a parallel story from the Old Testament:

Genesis 39:11-12

11 Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me!" And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside.

In this story, another young man (Joseph) fleas naked, leaving his clothes behind. The pronounced difference is that Joseph flees temptation while Mark flees his Savior. One leaves everything behind to rid himself of the clutches of the world. The other leaves everything behind to flee his Savior. Which one am I?

Of course the truth is I am both men. Sometimes, the well of Jesus is so strong in me I am able to flee the encumbrances of this world. More often, I am left exposed and embarrassed in my shame. Unable to stand beside Jesus while he stands up for me.

I always tell the men and women I work with that true Christianity is really about "getting up one more time than you fall down." The great news about Mark is he did just that. In this story, Mark fails miserably but he returns to the Lord and was blessed immeasurably for his efforts.

My prayer is that, over time, I will get better at standing by the man who knelt for me. The only way I can get to that point is to sincerely pray that God will help me; "resist the adversary and not be led into degeneration" (or as we commonly pray; "Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from Evil").

Every time I resist temptation and turn instead to Christ, I fortify my ability to stand firm in the long run. "Lord, help me stand firm in the long run."

MARK 14:53-65

From total abandonment to total disgrace; How we treat Jesus

Imagine the incredible pain that our Lord Jesus must have suffered. First there was the emotional pain of abandonment and betrayal. Then there was the embarrassment of this kangaroo court and the false testimony of slanderers gathered in the earliest hours of morning. How appropriate it was that this event occurred during "the last watch." There were the beatings to his face, which would be followed by increasingly intense torture until he was scourged and forced to bear his own cross to a suffocating death.

Yet, no pain would be so great as the absolute distancing from God Jesus would experience as he descended into hell on our behalf. Hell is total separation from God and we must understand that, for Jesus, this would be the first time in eternity he would not feel a special bond with the Father — the One Jesus so intimately called; "Abba."

There are two things that stand out in this hideous betrayal of all that is goodness in our world:

We learn just how immense is our Savior's love, that he would be willing to undergo the pain of this absolute separation for our sake.

This day was not like an eternity to God and Jesus; it was eternity. Eternity to the Hebrews was not a concept of linear time, but of circular time. For them, time didn't start at a certain point and end at another point. Eternity [HSN5769 olam] was perpetual. It was like saying, "All of time present in this moment."

If we understand this concept, we will understand how horrible this experience was for our Lord. Jesus was literally in hell for eternity for our sake. This will also help us understand the power of the bond between God and Jesus. For no person returns from eternal hell. Only this act of completely unselfish love between ABBA and his Beloved would break the absolute boundaries of hell!

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

Whenever the least person is treated unfairly, our response to that person's suffering is the same as if we were responding to Jesus.

The abandonment, torture, injustice or hell of any man is the continued abandonment, torture, injustice and hell of Jesus; "The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'" [Matthew 25:40]

If we are healing the pain of the suffering and abandoned, we are also healing the pain of Jesus. If we ignore or cause pain to "the least of them" — we ignore or wound the very body of Jesus.

Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him

These men saw Jesus as completely innocent, then killed him anyway. Jesus was guilty of only one "crime." He undermined the position of those men who claimed God's authority but lacked God's power.

Their claim was empty because God's power is only found in serving others and never in making others subservient. These men used the name of God to maintain their place over others. They used their authority to compromise with Rome, and they preferred the trappings of compromise to the witness of truth.

Is there — within me — any sign of these men? Certainly there have been times when I knew the right thing to do, the Christ-like thing to do, yet I chose not to act in a manner consistent with calling myself a Christian. I knew what Jesus wanted and didn't do it. I knew Jesus' will and chose my own. I heard Christ's call and preferred my needs over the needs of others. I have called myself a "follower of God" when it was convenient and compromised my beliefs when it was expedient. How can I say that — were I granted the privileges of these men — I wouldn't be found at the two mock trials of Jesus.

When Jesus was tried

Jesus was tried by the religious court in the darkest watch of night and by the Roman court in the earliest light of day. Perhaps these are the most common times when we fail our Lord:

· In the darkest times of our lives and the darkest corners of our heart

This is the sin of inconsistent character. The sin of anonymity.

· In the breaking dawn

Here is the sin of misalignment. At the crest of day, Jesus calls us to prayer and to bend our knees to him. If we listen at that time, from that point forward we can be guided by his presence. It doesn't matter what time of day we begin our day, our lives become prayer when our first words are replete with gratitude. Ask God to "surprise you with his presence." We can petition God to lead our footsteps and thoughts throughout the day. We can seek direction from his word and the companionship of his Spirit. God is willing — are we asking?

Matthew 6:33

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.

2 Chronicles 1:7-12

7 In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask what I shall give you." 8 And Solomon said to God, "Thou hast dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and hast made me king in his place. 9 "Now, O LORD God, Thy promise to my father David is fulfilled; for Thou hast made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 "Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can rule this great people of Thine?"

11 And God said to Solomon, "Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth, or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge, that you may rule My people, over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed, nor those who will come after you."

Proverbs 2:1-11

1 My son, if you will receive my sayings, and treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD, and discover the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth {come} knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; {He is} a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 Guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones.

9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity {and} every good course. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 Discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you.

Jesus is tried in the darkness of our hearts and in the first actions of our day. When we ask the Lord to greet us upon the breath of dawn and take his light to the darkest part of our being, we give to him all things and he promises he will bless our lives with his magnificent presence.

"Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" And Jesus said, "I am."

All Jesus had to do was remain silent on this issue and there would not be enough testimony against him for condemnation. Yet, to remain silent in this situation would have been the true blasphemy. Silence to this question and to these people would be acquiescence. When my silence denies Jesus is my Lord, then I must speak up.

Jesus' testimony prevented him from playing any middle ground. Similarly, it prevents us from playing any middle ground in our hearts too. Jesus was not a prophet, a good man, or a children's fable. Jesus is the Son of God, a living entity, the only true sacrifice. Jesus died for our sins and was raised from hell for our salvation.

This statement of Jesus forces us to say either Jesus was who he claimed to be (the Messiah), or he was delusional. His response forces our response. He was willing to die for this statement. Does our commitment match his?

By making this statement, Jesus was making himself incompatible with other beliefs. Jesus declared himself to be the culmination of Judaism, the seat of Wisdom, the source of power, and the path of salvation. Jesus is a difficult choice — a life-changing choice — a radical choice. To believe in Jesus is to go all the way. When we turn to him we can no longer serve two masters.

Luke 16:13-15

13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things, and they were scoffing at Him. 15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.

Joshua 24:15

"And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Matthew 4:10

Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'"

Romans 6:16

Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone {as} slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?

We cannot serve Jesus and believe in paganism, pantheism, or consumerism. We can't have Jesus and idolatry, Jesus and lust or Jesus and anything else that demands our hearts. By making this statement to the Chief Priests, Jesus forced their hand and forces ours. We either believe in him or believe in something else.

The "Compromise Jerry" wishes to find a way around this statement. I would love to explain "What Jesus really meant," and make it a little more cozy. Yet, Jesus died to tell us exactly who he is. Compromising what he died for would be the greatest dishonor I could give my Savior.

A caution needs to be mentioned here. The concept of an "uncompromising doctrine" applies to no one other than the believer. Being disrespectful of other people's beliefs is being disrespectful to God.

Throughout the New Testament, faith is referred to as a "gift" of the Holy Spirit. To look down on someone who does not have that gift is like making fun of someone because your parents gave you an inheritance while someone else was left orphaned.

If we are blessed enough to receive the gift of faith, then the proper response is a life of modeling gratitude and service — not judgmental and elitist attitudes. If our faith is worth sharing we will know because someone will ask, "How can I receive the joy/compassion/peace that you consistently display?"

The other condemnation

There were, in fact, two groups who condemned Jesus at this trial:

1. He was condemned by the leaders who accused and beat him

2. He was also condemned by the leaders who were absent or silent.

Absence is more frequently condemnation than accusation. Jesus was condemned by the absence of Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and his own followers. Perhaps Joseph or Nicodemus were not informed or invited to the mock trial. Yet, Jesus was still condemned by their absence and/or their silence.

Where is Jesus being tried today that we are absent or silent? Where is he being beaten, treated with injustice, or mocked, and I am inattentive or indifferent?

I am called to advocate for the wounded body of Jesus by advocating for the wounded around me. Wherever there is injustice that I have the ability to stop and yet do not do so; I am silent at Christ's trial. I am absent at his condemnation.

This is by far the most common sin of Christ's followers today. We still think the Gospel is about us. About my own salvation and not about service and love with the poor. The fulfillment of God's covenant is justice and mercy for others. It is not about "feeling good with God." If my understanding of the Gospel doesn't send me out to heal the sick, feed the hungry, visit the prisoners, cleanse the lepers, and preach Good News to the poor, then I have an errant Gospel. In the places where I am absent, Jesus is still being tried and condemned.

MARK 14:66-72

He began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!"

The Gospel writers seem to treat Peter's denial of Jesus with greater sternness than they treat Judas. Perhaps it is because Peter wanted to make sure that Mark captured all his faults for posterity. If this is the case (which I believe it to be) it tells us the true depth of the man Jesus called to be his rock. Peter could have encouraged Mark to take it easy on his reputation, to write about his failings with grace and not to focus on his weaknesses. Yet, the sign of Peter's strength and maturity as a leader was that he revealed how incapable he was without Jesus as his Shepherd. When Jesus was taken, Peter (and all the apostles) fell apart. Throughout Peter's life, he is the first to admit his only greatness lay in Christ's love and forgiveness.

On the night Jesus was denied, Peter's faith became a convenience. Peter would stand up for Christ only when it was in his interest. He would fail Christ when revealing his discipleship demanded sacrifice. Can I claim my faith is any deeper?

The depth of my faith is measured by how I stand by Jesus when it is difficult. At one time, I might have argued; "Well, I have never been in a situation where that kind of commitment was necessary."

Then, I realized what that really meant was I was not placing myself on the front line with Jesus. The most rewarding faith is found when one speaks out for Jesus through his wounded people. Being an advocate for the poor when there is no apparent reward in doing so, when it is not popular, not easy, and may even bring ridicule.

Peter's denial was the denial of a faith that never moved beyond convenience. It was the denial of an easy faith, a faith with no core, no guts, no commitment.

And he began to weep

Peter's true faith journey began the moment he started to weep. It was at that very moment he realized the fragility of his ego and faith. Here is the eternal irony; it was at the moment his knees buckled that he became a vessel of the Lord once and for always.

I love street work and jail work because men and women in those situations are often so ready to bend their knees. Their sin is as obvious to them as Peter's was on the night of denial. On that night, one might say Peter moved beyond denial and into admittance.

Salvation cannot come until we do likewise. We must move beyond denial and into admittance. We cannot know the breadth and width of salvation until we admit we cannot earn our way into God's grace. We cannot demand entrance because we are good or because our knowledge is correct. Our salvation begins with the simple prayer of Francis of Assisi, "My dearest God; who are you and, who am I but your useless servant?"

Like Peter, our salvation begins when we see our true nature revealed and — instead of choosing pride — we recognize our humble state and "begin to weep."

Chapter 14

Mark 14:1-72

OVERVIEW

The Cup of thanksgiving

MARK 14:1-72

MARK 14:1-2

What Jesus Challenges

MARK 14:3-11

How to find Jesus

The exceptional deed

The Betrayer's Viewpoint

The poor will be with you always

MARK 14:12-16

The first day of unleavened bread

Preparations

The Upper Room

MARK 14:17-21

One who is eating with me

"Surely not I?"

If he had not been born

MARK 14:22-25

"Be amazed, this thing has become my body"

And giving thanks

The Amazing Gratitude

MARK 14:26-28

After singing a hymn

Strike the Shepherd

I will go to Galilee

MARK 14:29-50

"I will not deny you!"

The sin no one else was brave enough to commit.

MARK 14:32-42

The Vantage Point

"Could you not keep watch?"

The Perfect Prayer

MARK 14:43-52

"Whomever I kiss, He is the one."

One of those who stood by drew his sword

"Every day I was with you."

They all left Him and fled

He pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked

MARK 14:53-65

From total abandonment to total disgrace; How we treat Jesus

Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him

When Jesus was tried

"Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" And Jesus said, "I am."

The other condemnation

MARK 14:66-72

He began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!"

And he began to weep

Mark 13

Mark 15