[:en]SCRIPTURE: MARK 14
Bible Verses:
“And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.” (Mark 14:30)
“ And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (Mark 14:36)
“Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)
JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY (vs. 1-11)
While Jesus was at the house of Simon, the Leper in Bethany, a woman poured a very expensive perfume on Jesus’ head. They rebuked her heavily for wasting the perfume because it could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But Jesus praised her for doing a beautiful thing to him. He said: “The poor you always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:7-9)
On the other hand, Judas Iscariot went to the chief priest to betray Jesus for money.
THE LORD’S SUPPER (vs. 12-26)
During the Passover, Jesus told the 12 disciples that one who dips bread into the bowl with him will betray him. Then he took the bread, gave it to his disciples saying: “Take it, this is my body”. then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered to them saying: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (vs. 22-24)
JESUS PREDICTS PETER’S DENIAL (vs. 27-34)
Jesus told Peter that before the rooster crows twice, he will disown him three times. But Peter insisted that he will never disown him.
GETHSEMANE (vs. 32-42)
Jesus went to Gethsemane bringing along with him Peter, James and John to pray. He prayed to the Father: “Abba Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not I will but what you will” (v. 36). When he returned to his disciple, he found them sleeping. He told them: “Watch and pray so that you wil not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing but the body is weak” (v. 38)
JESUS ARRESTED (vs. 43-52)
A crowd together with Judas Iscariot came to arrest Jesus. He used kiss as a sign to identify him. The men arrested Jesus and one of those standing drew his sword and cut off the car of the servant of the high priest.
BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (vs. 53-65)
The chief priest and elders and teachers of the law could not find evidence against Jesus. Jesus remain silent. But when the high preieft asked him: “Are you Christ, the son of the Blessed one?”, Jesus answered: “I am and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the mighty One and coming on the cloud of heaven”. They took this statement as blasphemy and convicted him as worthy of death. They blindfolded him, struck him and beat him.
PETER DISOWNS JESUS (vs. 66-72)
Peter disowned Jesus 3 times:
- A servant girl of the high priest said: “You also were with that Nazarene Jesus”. Peter said: “I don’t know or understand what you are talking about” (vs. 67-68)
- Another servant girl said: This fellow is one of them”. Peter denied it. (vs. 69-70)
- Those standing said: “Surely you are one of them for you are a Galilean”. Peter said: “I don’t know this man you are talking about” (vs. 71-72)
Immediately, the rooster crowed twice and Peter remembered what Jesus said: “Before the rooster crow twice, you will disown me 3 times” He broke down and wept bitterly.
LESSON:
- Judas offered to betray Jesus with a kiss for 30 pieces of silver coins. Do not let the treasures of this world make you turn against Jesus.
- Mary anointed Jesus with perfume while others rebuked her. But Jesus praised her and she is remembered. When you do good things, people may malign you. But don’t be discouraged because you will receive reward in heaven.
- Jesus spend his last hours to have communion with his disciples. As we celebrate Holy Communion, let us remember how Christ had sacrificed for us.
- Peter denied Jesus 3 times. Have you denied Jesus in your walk and talk?
- Jesus prayed 3 times to take out the cup but he followed his Father’s will not his will. When we pray, let us accept God’s will, not our will.
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