Daily Bread Mark 15
Daily Bread Mark 15
Mark 15
Jesus Before Pilate
1Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.
2"Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
3The chief priests accused him of many things. 4So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."
5But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
Observation:
As we read about the last day of Jesus’ life, although Jesus is under control of the Jewish Leaders and then given over to Pilate, the ruler of the Romans, he seems to be the real one in control. When Jesus is asked if He is King of the Jews, he calmly replies, “yes”. And then when he is accused of many other things (I imagine they were mostly false) he said nothing.
As the story goes on there is irony after irony. The murderer is let go, while an innocent man is given a death sentence. The one who took life is free, while the one who gave life (remember all the healing Jesus did) is crucified. And then we see a few faithful people still there to help when all of his followers had left. One man carried his cross when he couldn’t. Another person prepared him for a decent burial. Two women were there as well as many others who cared for him, but Peter, James and John is inner circle were nowhere to be found. The only one we hear from is Peter who denies Jesus three times to save his skin.
Application:
Jesus certainly turns the world upside down. He shows that true power is often shown in the miracle of restraint. Often times I am quick to defend myself or make a case in my own defense. Jesus shows us that sometimes it is best to be quiet and let God be the final arbiter of justice.
About the only time we do see Jesus showing a lot of emotion is his last words when he utters, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me.” In this moment we see that Jesus truly experienced the crucifixion and separation from his Father because of our sin. It shows us that although Jesus knew that this was his destiny, it didn’t make it any easier for Him. We also see that Jesus truly felt forsaken by God, even after being forsaken by so many he came to love and show the power of God’s kingdom.
Fortunately the gospel doesn’t end here and we have Mark 16 tomorrow! On Ash Wednesday as we begin the season of Lent, may we all take time to reflect on Jesus’ great sacrificial love for us. Lent is a time to give up things that get in the way of our relationship with God (disciplines of abstinence) and take up things that reconnect with God (disciplines of engagement). May it be a time that all of us remember the great love God has for us who would forsake His own Son so that sin and the power of death could be broken once and for all.
Prayer: Jesus as we journey throughout these forty days, help us to pray, fast and reflect on your life and especially these last days of your life. Create in us a clean heart that comes through confession of our selfishness and pride and is renewed by the forgiveness that was brought upon by your death on the cross. As we rely on you we now you will never leave or forsake us! Amen.
Mark 15
Jesus Before Pilate
1Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.
2"Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
3The chief priests accused him of many things. 4So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."
5But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
Observation:
As we read about the last day of Jesus’ life, although Jesus is under control of the Jewish Leaders and then given over to Pilate, the ruler of the Romans, he seems to be the real one in control. When Jesus is asked if He is King of the Jews, he calmly replies, “yes”. And then when he is accused of many other things (I imagine they were mostly false) he said nothing.
As the story goes on there is irony after irony. The murderer is let go, while an innocent man is given a death sentence. The one who took life is free, while the one who gave life (remember all the healing Jesus did) is crucified. And then we see a few faithful people still there to help when all of his followers had left. One man carried his cross when he couldn’t. Another person prepared him for a decent burial. Two women were there as well as many others who cared for him, but Peter, James and John is inner circle were nowhere to be found. The only one we hear from is Peter who denies Jesus three times to save his skin.
Application:
Jesus certainly turns the world upside down. He shows that true power is often shown in the miracle of restraint. Often times I am quick to defend myself or make a case in my own defense. Jesus shows us that sometimes it is best to be quiet and let God be the final arbiter of justice.
About the only time we do see Jesus showing a lot of emotion is his last words when he utters, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me.” In this moment we see that Jesus truly experienced the crucifixion and separation from his Father because of our sin. It shows us that although Jesus knew that this was his destiny, it didn’t make it any easier for Him. We also see that Jesus truly felt forsaken by God, even after being forsaken by so many he came to love and show the power of God’s kingdom.
Fortunately the gospel doesn’t end here and we have Mark 16 tomorrow! On Ash Wednesday as we begin the season of Lent, may we all take time to reflect on Jesus’ great sacrificial love for us. Lent is a time to give up things that get in the way of our relationship with God (disciplines of abstinence) and take up things that reconnect with God (disciplines of engagement). May it be a time that all of us remember the great love God has for us who would forsake His own Son so that sin and the power of death could be broken once and for all.
Prayer: Jesus as we journey throughout these forty days, help us to pray, fast and reflect on your life and especially these last days of your life. Create in us a clean heart that comes through confession of our selfishness and pride and is renewed by the forgiveness that was brought upon by your death on the cross. As we rely on you we now you will never leave or forsake us! Amen.
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