Mark 15:16-20

¹⁶ The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. ¹⁷ They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. ¹⁸ And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” ¹⁹ Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. ²⁰ And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

How awful to think how Jesus was treated by these soldiers, who were in positions of authority by the Governor of Judea.  They taunted, humiliated and mocked Jesus before crucifying Him.

It reminds me that no matter what position of authority we hold, as a parent, a husband, a wife, a leader, a worker, a manager, a friend, etc; how we treat people is so important.  Jesus taught us to be kind to those who were blind in their sin, He taught us to love, He taught to believe the best of other people, He taught to have eyes for those who are broken and downtrodden, He taught us to care…

Jesus in this moment could have spoken one word and all those soldiers would be dead.  These soldiers were blind to who He was, they abused the authority they had and have been written into the history book of the Bible forever.

He could have demonstrated His power and authority, but He came for a purpose, to die for You and Me.  To lay His life down.

Lord Jesus, help to always love, care, and be merciful to those who are blind.  Help me Lord to speak and respond like you.  In your name, Amen.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta

Mark 14:66-72

⁶⁶ While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. ⁶⁷ When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

⁶⁸ But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.

⁶⁹ When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” ⁷⁰ Again he denied it.

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

⁷¹ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

⁷² Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

This is a heartbreaking story. Peter’s famous angry denial that he did not know his beloved friend Jesus is a grim reminder of what fear can do to the human heart. When confronted with his fear of what might happen if he was known as a friend of Jesus, Peter chose to lie to save his own skin.

Additionally, only days before this event, Peter had vehemently denied Jesus’s prediction that all of His disciples (including Peter) would ultimately disown Him. How humbling for Peter.

Before I get too down on Peter, I need to recognize that I am often unaware of what my heart is capable of when confronted by my own fears.

Denial of the truth to save our own skin is a common human response, and I have certainly fallen into that trap at times. Just think of how quickly a child is prepared to lie when they think they are going to ‘get in trouble’.

Spiritual maturity not that we have moved beyond the capability of sinful thoughts and actions. Spiritual maturity is recognizing just how capable of sin we still are and owning the truth, no matter how painful it may feel to admit our weaknesses.

Lord, I thank you for your acceptance and forgiveness in the midst of our failings. May I have the courage to own the truth of my own weaknesses and allow Your grace to meet me there.

Written by Shelley Witt

Mark 14:43-52

⁴³ 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.

⁴⁴ 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. ⁴⁷ Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

⁴⁸ “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.” ⁵⁰ Then everyone deserted him and fled.

⁵¹ A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, ⁵² he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples. One who had walked with him for nearly 3 years. By one who had shared meals, stories, laughs and tears. Judas calls him Rabbi (teacher) and identifies him with a kiss. A greeting of brothers.

His response to this and to those coming after him with clubs and swords is interesting. He says he hasn’t come to lead a rebellion and that this is all happening to fulfil scripture.

Jesus appears to be incredibly focused in the midst of such a sad and scary situation. It is a scary situation, Mark the writer, tells us that an on looking man ran off so scared that he left his clothing behind (Mark 14:53).

Jesus is focused on his purpose and calling, on the crucifixion and his role as Saviour. He is not focused on his offence, on getting his own back, in his rightness or his rights. He knows what he has to do and how that has to come about. He’s certain of His Father’s way.

Jesus, help me be more like you. Give me greater clarity of my purpose and calling. Help me to fix my eyes on you. To be less concerned with my rights and more concerned with what you would have me do. Help me to trust and obey as you did.

Written by Ps. Zoe Stewart

Mark 14:26-31

²⁶ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

²⁷ “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“ ‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.’

²⁸ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

²⁹ Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

³⁰ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”

³¹ But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

I can understand and empathise with Peter here. It’s one thing to proclaim your relationship with Jesus when you’re surrounded by others who believe and when you’re engaged in church activities. I think it’s pertinent that the disciples have engaged in what would become the act of communion and have then sung a hymn with Jesus just before He tells them that they will deny Him. In that context, it seems crazy to think that they would do such a thing. They were already living for Him, most of the disciples had given up their livelihood, lifestyles and everything they knew to follow Jesus. How could they not be willing to claim their closeness to Him? Yet when push comes to shove and the context becomes much more serious, Peter denies he has been close to Jesus at all. I wonder how many of us also feel this tension. We might be willing to truly live for Jesus in a myriad of ways – sacrificial giving of our time, energy or finances, following His call when it doesn’t make sense to us, or making decisions that are counter cultural yet honour God. Yet sometimes it can feel that the safest or easiest choice in our own lives is to downplay our affiliation to Christianity, the church or God himself. Maybe this is because we don’t know what the consequences will be if we proclaim our faith, even though we are so blessed to live in a nation where our life is not on the line for what we believe. I’m sure each of us has been in a situation where proclaiming our faith would cost us in some way. Peter knew who Jesus was, yet still faltered in the face of serious danger. How amazing that Jesus did not give up on Peter! In fact, He used Peter mightily to build the early church. How grateful Peter must have been that Jesus did not count him out! 

God, even though I love you and want to live for you, I can think of times where I have not been outspoken or have been quiet for fear of how I would be perceived because of my faith in you. I am so grateful that you do not count me out. Thank you that you are a kind and gracious God, and that you continue to use all of us for your purpose. Help us Lord to live as you have called us to, as people who live for you in every way. Amen.

Written by Madelaine Tarasenko

Mark 14:10-21

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. ¹¹ They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

¹² On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

¹³ So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. ¹⁴ Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ¹⁵ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

¹⁶ The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

¹⁷ When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. ¹⁸ While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

¹⁹ They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

²⁰ “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. ²¹ The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

This passage reminds me that Jesus is in control. He knows what the disciples will face when they enter the city to prepare a room for the Passover. He knows that one of His disciples will betray him. In this passage, Jesus demonstrates that He is in control of all things. We can be reassured that no matter our situation, we can trust that God is in control.

God, thank you that you are in control of all things. Thank you that you go before me and are with me in all things. Please help me to trust in you, to rely on your words and promises, and to follow you even in times of uncertainty. Amen.

Written by Ps. Andie Molteno