Sunday we resumed our series in the book of Mark. We’ll spend the next 6 weeks studying the last hours of the life of Jesus.
We began with the betrayal and arrest of Jesus in Mark 14:43-52. In that event in the garden, we see the light of Christ revealed against the backdrop of his enemies.
The extraordinary love of Jesus for his enemies. (43-45, Luke 22:51)
Judas betrayed Jesus with feigned affection. The crowds turned on Jesus with violence. Peter once again stood in the way of Jesus with his misguided attempts to serve. Jesus’ love for them all never wavered.
The total mastery of Jesus over his enemies. (46-49)
Judas and the elders of Israel plotted behind a veil of secrecy – Jesus saw through it all.
Witnesses saw a crowd of 600 armed men surround Jesus, Jesus saw an army of 72,000 angels ready to descend and fight for him at a word.
The disciples saw what seemed to be the tragic defeat of their Lord, Jesus saw the inevitable unfolding of his glorious victory.
The complete solitude of Jesus in the hands of his enemies. (50-52)
Mark emphasizes the fact that Jesus was left totally alone. They left him, all of them. The anonymous young man who fled naked into the night represents all of them. The passionate professions of loyalty and dedication were exposed.
Jesus alone walked out of the garden in righteousness, the one great hero of humanity.
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for 18 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown