Word@Work 179 - Mark 14:43-45
Published: Fri, 08/01/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 14:43-45 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. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. (NIV)
What a sad and sick scene! Jesus, prepared to die for the sins of the world, was confronted by pompous religious leaders and a mob. A pathetically unprepared group of disciples stood there limply in the darkness, while their treasurer (Judas Iscariot) feigns a loyal greeting. As the kiss is planted the trap is sprung. Love has been betrayed, religious authority is unmasked, law has been violated ... everything true has been turned on its head. Death is now in the air.
But none of this was a surprise to Jesus (cf Mark 14:42 'Let us go. Here comes my betrayer'), because He was prepared. The Gethsemane prayer battle would ensure Jesus' endurance through the ordeal, until the final victory came. Everybody else would be guilty of Divine treason, the willing or careless accomplices of the Satanic strategy.
This event is unique: there is no modern parallel. But it does show the sordidness of religion without truth, and signs of fellowship without its reality: both are demonic trademarks. Also, this grubby start to Christ's passion has all the fingerprints of the sin in human beings. Much as we may criticise the villains of this drama, Jesus died for them ... and for us too! You see, our salvation was not won by some clinical execution, but by the cruel pain surrounded by lies and false love - that so easily take root in all our hearts. That is why we should be both grateful to Jesus, and also careful that we do not greive Him by offending in the same way again.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I am so grateful that You endured the lies as well as the lashes for me. The falsehood and rebellion that nailed You to the cross was mine as well as theirs. Please teach me to live the new life you have won for me, and not to grieve You today. For Your Name's sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
What a sad and sick scene! Jesus, prepared to die for the sins of the world, was confronted by pompous religious leaders and a mob. A pathetically unprepared group of disciples stood there limply in the darkness, while their treasurer (Judas Iscariot) feigns a loyal greeting. As the kiss is planted the trap is sprung. Love has been betrayed, religious authority is unmasked, law has been violated ... everything true has been turned on its head. Death is now in the air.
But none of this was a surprise to Jesus (cf Mark 14:42 'Let us go. Here comes my betrayer'), because He was prepared. The Gethsemane prayer battle would ensure Jesus' endurance through the ordeal, until the final victory came. Everybody else would be guilty of Divine treason, the willing or careless accomplices of the Satanic strategy.
This event is unique: there is no modern parallel. But it does show the sordidness of religion without truth, and signs of fellowship without its reality: both are demonic trademarks. Also, this grubby start to Christ's passion has all the fingerprints of the sin in human beings. Much as we may criticise the villains of this drama, Jesus died for them ... and for us too! You see, our salvation was not won by some clinical execution, but by the cruel pain surrounded by lies and false love - that so easily take root in all our hearts. That is why we should be both grateful to Jesus, and also careful that we do not greive Him by offending in the same way again.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I am so grateful that You endured the lies as well as the lashes for me. The falsehood and rebellion that nailed You to the cross was mine as well as theirs. Please teach me to live the new life you have won for me, and not to grieve You today. For Your Name's sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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