READING: MARK 14:43-72

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. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

‘Am I leading a rebellion,’ said Jesus, ‘that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’ Then everyone deserted him and fled.

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

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.”’ Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’

‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’

The high priest tore his clothes. ‘Why do we need any more witnesses?’ he asked. ‘You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’

They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, ‘Prophesy!’ And the guards took him and beat him.

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

‘You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,’ she said.

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

When the servant-girl saw him there, she said again to those standing round them, ‘This fellow is one of them.’ 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.’

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

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

REFLECTION

“You wouldn’t understand. You don’t know what it’s like for me.”

I’ve heard these words uttered a lot during my working life – both as a school teacher and a youth leader. And to be fair to each of the young people that have said this, or words to this effect, to me – they’ve been absolutely right. Truth be told, as best as we try to empathise, we can never really know what it’s like for someone else – the struggles and challenges that they face. We can’t fully understand. We don’t appreciate what it’s really like for them. Frustration ensues – both for the person affected and the person trying to help them.

Today’s reading comes from Mark 14:43-72. In this section of the Passion Narrative, we see Jesus betrayed by Judas, arrested by the guards, abandoned by his friends, accused by the chief priest and religious rulers, battered by his handlers and denied by one of his closest followers.

“You wouldn’t understand. You don’t know what it’s like.”

“Yes, you’re right I reply...but I know someone who does.”

I don’t know about you but as I read this passage, I’m hugely challenged but also greatly comforted. Challenged in the way that Jesus was treated. I mean you wouldn’t wish this treatment on your worst enemy. But greatly comforted that a) he faced it head on and b) in knowing that he overcame it.

Two particular verses really stood out to me. Jesus is put before the Council led by the High Priest, and supported by the Chief Priest, the elders and scribes – the religious elite. They bring against the charge of blasphemy – a charge that if met is punishable by death. They bring forward various people who bear false witness against him – who twist his words. They lie. They can’t match up their stories. They actually have no case against him at all.

During all this, we read in verse 61: ‘Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.’ He faced the abuse, the slander and the taunts of the courtroom head on. He remained still. He remained calm. How? Because he knew his Father would fight for him. One of my favourite verses from the Old Testament is taken from Exodus 14: 14 where Moses tells a fearful people trying to escape the Egyptians that, ‘The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’ Here Jesus illustrates just that. In the midst of it all, he remains still, silent – knowing his Father will fight from him.

I find this massively reassuring to know that Jesus faced this ultimate test resolutely, knowing his father was with him. As a follower of Jesus, I too need to know that there are times in my life where I need to be still, remain calm and to know that God will fight for me.

The high priest, no doubt exasperated and frustrated at his inability to pin Jesus down, asks him one final time- ‘Are you the Christ?’. Verse 62 – ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty one and coming on the clouds of heaven.’

Jesus doesn’t just know his Father will fight for him. He knows that through Him, he will overcome.  In speaking in this way, Jesus is referring back to the Old Testament period where God’s people would have read the prophecies about the Son of Man – a term given to the Messiah, coming down on the clouds – to indicate this authority, and one who is seated at the right hand of the Father – a place upon which judgement is executed. Jesus knew that his Father would not just fight for him, but he would ultimately administer justice and right the wrongs that were being done to him.

There are times in my life, when I need to know, more than ever, that Jesus is with me. That he’s faced everything I could possibly face. That Jesus fights for me. He takes my battles and makes them his. And that with Jesus these situations will be overcome. That he will ultimately have the final say. The buck stops with him.

Where in your life do you need to know that Jesus is with you, that he fights for you and that he will overcome what is facing you now?

PRAYER

Jesus, we simply ask today that we would know you closely. That we would know that whatever we face, we face it with you. Helps us take a moment at some point today to be still, bring our day before you, with all its blessings and battles, and know that you are God.

Amen.

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