Mark 14:53-65 (NIV)

Remember back in Chapter 12, that teacher of the law to whom Jesus said, “You are not far from the kingdom”? That guy knew that the point of it all wasn’t earthly power or status but being deeply connected with God—loving God with your whole self and loving your neighbor as yourself. He was a teacher of the law... and yet the teachers of the law in this passage seem to be reading a different Torah. Violence, bribery, and ”bearing false witness against your neighbor” are all weapons of choice in their desperate attempt to secure power through an illegal trial held at night.

Jesus, for the first time in Mark’s gospel, directly claims to be the Messiah. Further, he pulls an image from the book of Daniel about the Son of Man, a Messianic character that devout Jews would automatically assign with God’s chosen ruler. He’s saying that what’s about to happen to him will actually be his enthronement as King.

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1. What stood out to you in the passage?

2. Why do you think the Jewish leaders dismissed Jesus’ Messianic claims? Are there things about Jesus that would offend our religious leaders today?

3. Of all the people who should have gotten it, who should have been able to see when Messiah was here, it was this gathering of leaders. They were the most studied and influential leaders in all of Israel, the God incarnate is standing in front of them and they can’t see him for who he is? Is there anything that clouds your vision of Jesus?

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