📅 February 18: Mark 14: The Calm before the Storm

Daily Bible Readings February
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:date: February 18: Mark 14: The Calm before the Storm

The Unfolding Drama of Betrayal, Love, and Sacrifice

:earth_africa: Introduction

Mark 14 paints a vivid picture of the closely woven narrative leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. Set in the unique settings of the Last Supper and Gethsemane, the chapter presents an emotional tapestry of human loyalty, betrayal, and divine love.

:wine_glass: The Last Supper

Jesus shares the Last Supper with His disciples, instituting the New Covenant of His dispatched body and shed blood.
:scroll: Key Verse: Mark 14:24 — “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.

:broken_heart: The Betrayal

Judas, one of the twelve, succumbs to temptation and betrays Jesus with a simple kiss, a striking display of treachery.
:scroll: Key Verse: Mark 14:44 — “Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.”

:sparkles: Key Themes and Reflections

  • The absolute manifestation of Christ’s love, symbolized in His willingness to be betrayed and crucified.
  • The painful reality of betrayal – brought forth sharply in Judas’ actions.

:bulb: Today’s Application

The message of Mark 14 encourages us to examine faith in the face of difficulty and betrayal. It prompts us to contemplate, ‘Would we stand steadfast in our faith like Jesus, or would we falter like Judas?’

:mag: Hidden Gem

The chapter subtly presents the dichotomy of pure and impure love. While Mary anoints Jesus with costly perfume expressing pure love and devotion, Judas reveals his selfish motives through his act of betrayal.

:thought_balloon: Reflective Q&A

:question: Why did Judas betray Jesus?
A: Scripture doesn’t provide a definitive answer. Some suggest greed; others, disillusionment with Jesus’ peaceful mission. Nevertheless, it serves as a chilling reminder of the destructive power of temptation and moral failure.

:question: What is the significance of the Last Supper?
A: It symbolizes Jesus’ New Covenant with humanity, bestowed through His sacrifice. The Eucharistic elements — bread and wine — represent Jesus’ body and blood, calling us to remember His sacrificial love.

:question: How does this chapter challenge us?
A: Mark 14 calls us to be vigilant against temptations and to remain faithful to our belief in Christ, even amidst trials and tribulations.

:speech_balloon: Join the Discussion

Share your thoughts on Mark 14. How does the chapter’s depiction of human weakness and Christ’s steadfast love resonate with you?

:date: See You Tomorrow in Mark 15

As we continue moving towards the climax of Jesus’ life, we’ll dig deeper into the narratives surrounding His trial and crucifixion. It’s a continuation of Christ’s radical love. Let’s keep our hearts receptive to His word.

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Mark 14
Tuesday evening (to the Jews, Wednesday, 14th Abib) had arrived as the Lord was in the Mount of Olives. It is nearing the time of Passover, and the day of his crucifixion, so it is critical that his disciples be prepared for the looming crisis. The crisis was quickly developing, and the challenge for Judas was increasing as he contracted with the elders to betray his Master. So the chapter presents the rise and fall of the company of the Master. Out of the trauma of the circumstances all but Judas would be strengthened in understanding and commitment. So the record reveals: [1] Jewish plot against Yahshua: vv. 1-2. [2] The anointing in Bethany: vv. 3-9. [3] Judas prepares to betray Yahshua: vv. 10-11. [4] To the guest room (on WEDNESDAY, 14th Abib): vv. 12-16. [5] Warning of betrayal: vv. 17-21. [6] Establishing communion: vv. 22-25. [7] They leave the room: v. 26. [8] Warnings by the way: vv. 27-31. [9] At Gethsemane: v. 32. [10] The first prayer: vv. 33-36. [11] The second prayer: vv. 37-39. [12] The third prayer: vv. 40-41. [13] The betrayal and arrest: vv. 42-49. [14] The disciples flee: v. 50. [15] The first Jewish trial: vv. 51-53. [16] First denial by Peter: v. 54. [17] Second Jewish trial: vv. 55-64. [18] Yahshua is mocked by the crowd: v. 65. [19] Peter denies his Lord: vv. 66-72. • Thus the drama of the Lord’s last hours are set before believers that we might fellowship his sufferings. This chapter gives a sad and sorrowful account of the high priest’s conspiracy against the life of the Saviour, in regard to the terrible conspiracy of the leaders, the manner of the conspiracy, and the time when it occurred. Seventy chief priests, scribes, and elders constituted the whole Jewish Sanhedrin, the general council. These men put their heads together to contrive the destruction of the Messiah. The ‘General Councils’ of men often err from the Truth of the recorded Scriptures (The Law), even when the evidence is so clear in regard to the innocent or guilty. Here the innocent was the sinless Lord Yahshua, the evidence was his whole life devoted to his Father, for he never deviated from Him or His purpose, remaining faithful even to his crucifixion. Notice also how the leaders of the Jewish Ecclesia conspired. It was by secret meetings and the subtlety of the antitypical Serpent of Eden. This conspiracy was developed after the criticism of the Lord against Judas in the house at Bethany, but flourished at the Feast of the Passover. It was a custom among the Jews to execute malefactors at their solemn feasts, as at the Feast of the Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles; being the times all the Jews came up to Jerusalem to sacrifice. At that time they put malefactors to death, that all Israel might see and hear, and not do so wickedly. It represented the enactment of the Law and Commandments against sin. Accordingly, this Feast of the Passover was waited for by the Jews, as a fit opportunity to put the Nazarene to death. The only concern was, that it might occasion a tumult amongst the people, there being such a mighty assembly at that time in Jerusalem. But when Judas made his proposition, they readily complied with him, and resolved to take the first opportunity to put their victim to death. In vv. 1-2, a plot is established; in vv. 3-9, there is the Anointing at Bethany, two days before the crucifixion at which the opportunity to betray the Lord was developed in the mind of Judas; in vv. 10-11, the agreement made by Judas; vv. 12-31 describe the Feast of Love at the end of which Yahshua institutes his Feast of Remembrance; in vv. 32-42, the circumstances of the Garden of Gethsemane are described, with the three prayers of Yahshua and his exhortation to watch; in vv. 43-52, the betrayal by ‘his own familiar friend;’ in vv. 53-65 Yahshua is taken before the high priest, and the battle of Flesh verses Spirit commences. It was a conflict when the High Priest of the Jews challenged the Great High Priest of Yahweh’s providing; in vv. 66-72, Peter denies his Lord and is faced with the realisation of the power of the flesh at any time. Consider the Anointing with the spikenard ‘very precious’ poured upon the Lord’s head and the price Judas put upon the head of Yahshua, being thirty pieces of silver, in fulfilment of the prophecy of Zechariah. The spikenard of Mary was worth about 300 pence, which at the rate of a labourer’s “penny a day” would be nearly a whole year’s wages, whereas the thirty pieces of silver constitute the price of a slave (Exo. 21:32). The Lord Yahshua Christ said “greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” and again “ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you;” and yet again “This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.” — Logos.