Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray With Me”.
In Mark 14, vigilantes kidnapped Jesus and dragged him to the religious leaders for trial–a kangaroo court ready to pervert justice. Mark’s gospel says, “Many people testified falsely against him, but their testimony did not agree” (v. 55).
Finally, the high priest asked “Are you the Messiah, the son of the Blessed One?” (v. 61).
“I am,” Jesus said, “and one day you will see me sitting at the right hand of God and coming on the clouds of heaven” (v. 62).
The high priest immediately pronounced a GUITLY verdict, saying, “You blasphemer!”
The crowd spit on him, blindfolded him, and hit him saying, “Prophesy! Tell us who hit you!” The guards took him away and beat him.
Meanwhile, Peter was hanging around outside, trying to blend in. But a servant girl asked him twice, “Weren’t you with Jesus?” (vv. 66-70). Peter denied it.
Someone exclaimed, “Hey! You have a Galilean accent, just like that guilty man. You must be his disciple!” But Peter cursed and said, “I don’t know him. Back off!” (vv. 70-71).
Then a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered that Jesus had predicted his denial. Peter broke down and wept (v. 72).
Some comments.
1. That’s what the prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane were about. Jesus expected the bad times, but Peter didn’t. He wasn’t ready for Christ to become a hapless victim in a court that cared nothing for justice.
If I were Peter, Jesus’ helplessness would surprise me too. Jesus had skills. He upended the money changers’ tables. He walked away from a crowd trying to push him off a cliff. Couldn’t he shut down the kangaroo court? Or walk away? But something changed, and Peter didn’t get it.
2. The witnesses at Jesus’ trial produced nothing but lies and confusion. So when the high priest asked Jesus if he was the Messiah, why did Jesus bother answering? Did he need to testify against himself to help the court find him guilty?
3. What a huge claim from Jesus, saying he would sit at God’s right hand and come on the clouds of heaven. But after that bold statement, he remained silent. Why didn’t he back up his words with proofs or miracles or or even by escaping?
Let’s pray.
O father, Jesus was silent before his accusers, except to confirm that he was the Messiah. Is this the strong Jesus who cast out demons, excoriated the Pharisees, walked on water, and raised the dead?
Why is Jesus unaccountably weak . . . silent before his accusers, mocked and beaten, meekly accepting a guilty verdict?
O father, we want to imitate Jesus’ ministry of healing and teaching and preaching. We want to be his light in dark places. But we don’t want to follow him into the heart of darkness, into condemnation, torture, and death.
O father, help us be faithful disciples in the sunlight and in the dark night, on paths of serving and paths of suffering, when we are strong and when we are weak.
Jesus is our Messiah, seated at your right hand. We welcome his presence on our journey, and we for his appearing in the clouds of heaven.
Amen.
I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.
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