Mark 14:27-42 (NIV)

Up to this point in the Gospel of Mark, we’ve seen the Disciples go back and forth in what their understanding seems to be of what Jesus is doing, and they still can’t quite see it. In today’s passage their inability to see what’s about to happen is brought into plain view.

Peter is thought to be Mark’s primary source for writing this account of Jesus' life, and so often Peter’s actions summarize where the disciples were at with everything. We’ve said it a lot, but he and the other disciples would have expected Jesus to confront Rome, and maybe even Herod and his corrupted kingdom, but they see Jesus going further than that, flipping tables in the temple courts, and challenging Israel as a whole.

What they didn’t understand is where they thought Jesus would come to fight God’s enemies, he was coming to die at their hand and on their behalf. And not just Rome... Israel herself had become an enemy…. And not just Israel… even the disciples would betray and abandon Jesus. In this passage we listen in as Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him, and as Jesus is troubled over what’s about to take place. All the while the disciples who can’t see what’s happening are sleeping because their eyes are heavy.

Can you see it?

----------REFLECT----------

1. What moment in this passage did you find most moving?

2. Peter can’t imagine himself denying Jesus. have you ever been in that place? “Surely” you say, “I would never do this… or that….”” only to find yourself full of regret?

3. Jesus asks the Father to take this cup from him, praying “not my will but your will.” This cup that he speaks of is a reference to the long predicted cup of wrath that was again and again poured out by being given into the hands of foriegn armies when Israel rebelled against God. It's the act of God lifting his hand and allowing the acts of rebellion to produce their inevitable consequences. This next cup will indeed be poured out for Israel's failure, through the hands of foreign soldiers, but this time Jesus will step in. Take a moment to reflect on this.

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