The True High Priest (Mark 14:60-65)

“For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Hebrew 5:1). Caiaphas was the high priest before whom Jesus stood. He was the high priest who was to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins on behalf of men in relation to God. He was the mediator between God and the people. It was Caiaphas who had said about Jesus, “it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:50). It is fitting therefore that when the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world stood before Caiaphas the high priest at the feast of Passover that Caiaphas should condemn Him to death.

When Caiphas asked Jesus if He was the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One, Jesus responded, “I am.” “Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’” (Hebrew 5:5). The earthly high priest then tore his robe in the presence of the true high priest. After the high priest tore his robe and condemned Jesus to be deserving of death, Jesus was treated with contempt, being spit on and slapped. In treating Christ this way they fulfilled the messianic prophecy. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised; we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3). 

Here is a great mystery: that the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world should be sacrificed at the Feast of Passover. The Feast of Passover was to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel from the bondage of  slavery in Egypt. Jesus was, “oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus had come to break the curse and bring liberation from sin and death.

Jesus, however, was not only the sacrificial Lamb, He was also God’s appointed high priest. Jesus is the true mediator between God and man. “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrew 5:9,10).

What does this mean for us today? It means that when Satan tempts us to despair, reminding us of our guilt and the sinfulness of our souls, that we have not only a Savior who redeemed us by His blood but a High Priest who intercedes for us. We are invited to draw near to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. Jesus the Lamb of God who took away our sins sympathizes with our weaknesses and intercedes for us before the throne of God. 

Who Is Jesus? (Mark 14:53-63)

When I was a teenager a priest challenged me by saying that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God. He told me that Jesus called Himself the Son of Man, not the Son of God. Recently I read a quote by historian Bart Ehrman that said, “If Jesus had not been declared God by his followers, his followers would’ve remained a sect within Judaism, a small Jewish sect.” It can be very intimidating when well educated men challenge your faith.

Did Jesus ever make the claim that He was the Son of God? There were many times throughout Mark’s gospel that Jesus told those who followed Him and those He healed to be silent concerning His identity; but was there ever a time when Jesus plainly stated that He was the Son of God? Yes. It was when the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death and they couldn’t find any. There were many who came to give false testimony but they didn’t agree with each other. Finally, the high priest questioned Jesus. Jesus didn’t defend Himself against the false accusations, so the high priest asked Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One” (Mark 14:10)? To this Jesus said, “I am.” But He also added, “ and all of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). With these words Jesus claimed to be both the Son of God and the Son of Man.

Jesus not only said that He was the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One, He also told all who were seated in judgment of Him that “all of you will see Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). The high priest would have known the reference to Daniel 7:13-14, “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

In His short response Jesus also made reference to Psalm 110:1, “The Lord said to my lord: ‘sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” Did Jesus claim to be the Son of God? Yes. He also claimed dominion over those who were judging Him, and let them know that one day His Father would make them a footstool for His feet. Is it any wonder that the high priest tore his robe and cried, “Blasphemy!”?

The high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and all the scribes gathered together to judge Jesus, and like a lamb before its shearer is dumb, in the same way Jesus didn’t open His mouth. However, when the high priest finally asked the only question that really matters, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One,” Jesus didn’t hesitate to answer. This is a question we must all ask, “Who is Jesus?” Through the gospels we have the same evidence that the Sanhedrin did. Our response to this question will determine our relationship to Jesus when He returns.

If Anyone Has an Ear (Mark 14:47)

I was furious! He was standing in my kitchen using Jesus’s name as a cuss word! Then, as an added insult, said, “It doesn’t matter, because I don’t believe in Him anyway.” I scraped the chair on the floor as I pushed against the table to stand. I stalked out of the house and slammed the door behind me! My silence didn’t last long. Once outside I screamed in anger, “How dare you talk like that in my home!” My tongue became a deadly weapon.

At first I felt that the harsh words pouring out of my mouth were justified. But as my fury died down, I began to realize the wounds my sharp words had inflicted on their target, and I felt remorse. My self-righteous attitude changed when I remembered how Peter had taken his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his ear. I don’t think for a minute that Peter was aiming for his ear. How did Jesus respond to Peter? He told him to put away his sword and then restored the man’s ear.

James 1:19-20 says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteous of God.” Anger is a God-given emotion that we feel when we or someone we love is threatened. I completely understand why Peter would want to use his sword to defend Jesus! However, there was a far greater story being told than the chapter being played out in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had come to break the curse that enslaved the hearts of men. Jesus restored the slave’s ear and by His kindness made it possible for him to hear the truth of the gospel.

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). When the heat of my anger cooled and I realized that I was not righteous but wrong, I began to pray and ask Jesus to bring healing. I began to think of how Jesus had responded in kindness even when He hung on the cross. What did He say? “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”

Jesus had begun His ministry by saying that the kingdom of God was at hand. He encouraged those who He met to repent and believe the good news. When Jesus told parables about the kingdom He would end the parable with these words, “Whoever has ears, let him hear.” As I thought about this I realized how I, in my self-righteous angry, could use my rash words like a sword to remove the ear of one with whom I was angry. In deep repentance I asked Jesus to restore the one I wounded so that he might be able to hear the mystery of the kingdom of God.

The Betrayal (Mark 14:43-48)

What is phileo love? It comes from the Greek word philos which means “affectionate friendship.” Strong’s Concordance says that its usage is: I love (of friends), regard with affection, cherish; I kiss. HELPS Word-studies definition of phileo is to show warm affection in intimate friendship, characterized by tender, heartfelt consideration and kinship. It is the word used to define the kiss that Judas gave Jesus when he came at night with a mob with swords and clubs. “‘The One I kiss,’ he said, ‘He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard.’” (Mark 14:44)

*Why did it have to be a friend who chose to betray the Lord? And why did he use a kiss to show them, that’s not what a kiss is for? Only a friend can betray a friend, a stranger has nothing to gain and only a friend comes close enough to ever cause so much pain.* “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3). Judas, one of the Twelve, brought with him a mob with swords and clubs when he came to betray Jesus. Have you ever experienced the sorrow of betrayal?

I keep hearing stories of those who seem to have had a close and intimate relationship with Jesus making public confessions of, “Why I’m no longer a Christian.” It’s not a personal walking away from their faith, it’s public. Judas didn’t slip away from Jesus in the night, instead he took a company of soldiers and some temple police from the chief priests and Pharisees. He knew where Jesus would be, and Judas led them to Him with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 

In Matthew we are told how Judas went boldly up to Jesus, greeted Him by calling Him Rabbi, and then kissed Him. How did Jesus respond? “‘Friend,’ Jesus asked him, ‘why have you come’” (Matthew 26:50)? In response the mob took hold of Jesus and arrested Him. This Greek word for friend is herairos. This word carries with it the idea of someone who is viewed as a friend, but is actually an imposter acting for self-gain. I believe that this kind of betrayal is happening today. 

The Bible teaches that “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” Christ redeemed all those who put their faith in Him. He became a curse for those who put their trust in Him when He hung on the tree. Judas was filled with remorse when he saw the results of his betrayal. He regretted what he had done. He tried to reverse what was happening when he saw that Jesus was condemned by returning the silver that he had been paid. However, he never put his trust in Jesus. Instead he hung himself on a tree. So what would our loving friend and Savior say to those who publicly betray Him today? “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4). While there is breath there is hope for true repentance.

* “Why” by Michael Card

The Arena of Prayer (Mark 14:32-42)

He was deeply distressed and horrified. He had taken Peter, James and John to be with Him while He prayed. “Then He said to them, ‘My soul is swallowed up in sorrow--to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake’” (Mark 14:34). Earlier that same evening Peter had told Jesus that even if everyone ran away he would certainly not! Peter had insisted that even if he had to die with Jesus that he would never deny Him! However, when Jesus fell to the ground and began to pray, Peter lay on the ground and slept.

This ground to which Jesus fell was * “God’s arena” - “the physical theater” in which our eternal destiny freely plays out.* In this arena Jesus fought and won the battle in prayer. He prayed as He had taught His disciples to pray. Deeply distressed He called out, “Abba, Father!” He honored His Father, acknowledging that all things were possible for Him. His ministry had begun in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. Now, as Jesus earthly ministry was coming to an end, Satan was with Him once again, but this time in the garden, tempting Him to forfeit the Kingdom and reject God’s will.

When Jesus found His disciples sleeping He asked Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:37,38). The arena where the battle of temptation was to be fought and won was prayer. When Jesus had taught His disciples to pray He had taught them to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). This kind of prayer is more than words; it’s being vigilant, and alert, aware of the battle raging.

Jesus had given a similar admonition when He told His disciples what to expect before the “end of time.”  “Watch! Be Alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming. It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his slaves, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming--whether in the evening or early in the morning. Otherwise, he might come suddenly and find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert” (Mark 14:33-37)!

In the arena of prayer as I watch and wait for Jesus to return in glory, I find that, like Peter, my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. Life becomes a struggle and I long for escape, a place to hid from the crushing pressures of this physical theater where everything that I believe is being put to the test. In my spirit I see Jesus deeply distressed and horrified at the cost of my salvation. How shall I respond? I fall to the ground and pray, “Abba, lead me not into temptation, deliver me from evil. My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.” By God’s grace I choose to stay spiritually awake and pray, because this battle is fought and won in the arena of prayer!

*HELPS Word-studies

Alone (Mark 14:27-31)

“The heart is more deceitful than anything else and desperately sick--who can understand it? I, the Lord, examine the mind” (Jeremiah 17:9,19). 

When Peter had first begun to recognize who Jesus was, he responded by saying, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8)! But Jesus didn’t go away; instead He invited Peter to join Him. Peter left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus chose Peter to be part of His inner circle. He changed his name from Simon, which means “reed,” to Peter, which means “rock.”

Peter participated in the miracle of feeding five thousand men when he helped distribute the five loaves and two fish that Jesus had multiplied. He had not only seen Jesus walking on the water, but had gotten out of the boat to join Him. Later when many of Jesus’ disciples had turned back and no longer followed Him, Jesus had asked the twelve if they wanted to leave too. It was Peter who answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68).

For three years Peter listened to Jesus teach about the kingdom of God. Anticipation grew as they began the ascent to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus had taught His disciples to pray for the kingdom to come. They had prayed, they had believed, and they were ready to take their places in the kingdom that they expected Jesus to establish. But as they neared Jerusalem Jesus had begun to talk again about being handed over to the chief priests and scribes. He spoke of being condemned to death and being turned over to the Gentiles and being killed. He also told them that He would rise in three days, but they couldn’t understand.

Peter considered himself Jesus’ right hand man. He had been the spokesperson for all the disciples in declaring that he believed Jesus to be the Holy One of God. He had rebuked Jesus when He had first spoken about being rejected and killed. Peter again tried to correct Jesus when Jesus told him that he, Peter, would deny Him. Peter knew that he was not only a faithful follower of Jesus, but that even if he was the only one left that he would die for Jesus!

Peter didn’t understand the establishment of the kingdom was not a joint effort. The kingdom would be established when the curse was broken by Jesus dying alone on the cross. Peter didn’t know his own heart any more than any of us do. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).