One of the overwhelming thoughts that I got while reading chapter 14 of Mark was that the first time the disciples lives were at stake they ran away and hid, but the next time they gladly stood their ground. It is an amazing change that is a tremendous proof of the resurrection of Jesus. If it was a hoax and they knew it they would have ran even faster, they proved that the first time. By standing their ground, even to the point of death for all but John, they prove the resurrection deeply changed their lives. Lies don't do that. At a minimum they believed in the resurrection.
14:1 - When you have to get sly or crafty you are headed to, if not already in, sin. God calls us to be wise, not to be sly. The next time you have to get overly creative at work or with your spouse or with a neighbor, you need to check if sin is present.
14:5 - I believe that Judas was the one who was so indignant because he used to help himself to the community's money bag. I am not sureif that is recorded in one of the Gospel about this time Jesus was anointed or the first time, but it does say Judas like to steal money from the bag and that is why he was bent out of shape.
14:8 - She did what she could. - I love this verse. It is not about what you would did if you had or what someone else did, it is really about doing what you can. Jesus will judge us based on what we did with what we had. That should be a huge relief for many of us. It isn't about giving millions of dollars, it is about giving what you have faithfully. It isn't about preaching to millions, but to each person God entrusts to you. It isn't about sharing Jesus with a movie star, but with the neighbor God has put in your life. It isn't even about loving the whole world, but loving those God has placed in your world. Do what you can.
14:34 - Prayer is keeping watch.
14:38 - Watch and pray SO THAT you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. - True. We need to pray for strength because we are weak in ourselves. We need to ask God to protect us and strengthen us, because we are not strong enough on our own.
14:47 - Peter cut off Malchus' ear (John 18:10) and Jesus reconnects it just by touching him. You would think that the whole "Let's arrest Jesus" thing would have ended in that moment, but it just goes to show you how hate can blind you.
14:54 - Following Jesus at a safe distance leads to betrayal. - 14:71 - I don't know this man you're talking about.
Love, Michael
1 comment:
It is amazing how, as weak humans, we so often have to fail miserably before we will really stand up for our Lord. I gues as long as we keep pressing toward the goal, we will please God.
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