Mark 14

Darkness

Mark 14:1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

They were jealous of Jesus, he had more Spirit, and more power from God with no sins. Should they not have known who he was? Earlier he had spoken to them.

John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
John 8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
John 8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
John 8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
John 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

They were angry at him. Sin always seeks someone to blame, finger pointing starts with the self. See that you are without sin, before you start casting stones. They were getting ready for Passover? Jesus was the Passover lamb. They celebrated shadows, without understanding. They used craft to destroy the light that shined before them: Jesus the light and the truth of God.

Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Isa 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Mark 14:2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

They must appear righteous, so that they could remain in power over the people, to keep them in bondage. They did not care about what God wanted; they had their own wicked plans, in order to keep in power. Jesus was making them look bad, he must be removed.

Are we blaming others for the darkness and unconfessed sin in our lives? Are we as these leaders only interested in looking good before others? Do we justify ourselves by condemning others? If so? repent, for this is the spirit that tried to destroy Jesus. God's spirit is of the true light, He will set you free. Let no dark thing rule over your life.

She anointed His feet

Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
John 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

Mark 14:4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
Mark 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

One of those who complained was Judas Iscariot. John adds a little more to the story.

John 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Mark 14:6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

Leave her alone, she has blessed me. Why do others pick at another's giving? Why do many complain about giving to the church? Because they want the money for their own desires. There is no greater joy then giving to Jesus.

Mark 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

Yes, Jesus was there with them. This was the time to give to him. Later he would be gone, and we can then give to the poor as unto him.

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Mark 14:8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Jesus sees this as his burial anointing, a great sacrifice of love given by Mary. How can we show our love to others?

Mark 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Yes, I remember this woman's act of love. It is one of the most touching stories in the Bible. We remember how Jesus washed the disciples feet. This was a humbling experience. Think how humble Jesus was, to allow this woman to wash his feet with her tears and anoint him with oil. Our Lord has a tender heart. He loves much, he loves you very much.

Sinning against God

Following the story of the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus, one of the most tender stories of love in the Bible, wherein Jesus said of her:

Luke 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Luke 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luke 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Some complained of the waste of such a treasure, betraying their true motive. Can we ever give too much to Jesus, who gave his all for us? Judas complained about the waste of this valuable ointment, he coveted the money. Why was it not sold and given to the poor?

John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Mark 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

Was Judas getting even with Jesus because he was corrected in front of others? If we bad mouth another in public, we shall be corrected in public. Had he convinced himself that he was a "victim" being picked on unfairly before others? When we are corrected, our true heart shows. It was this way at the beginning with Cain and Abel. Cain was corrected by God, he was shown truth and given a chance to correct his behavior, but he refused. If we continue in this way, our heart becomes hard and another spirit may come in.

Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Each of us must choose when sin and temptation comes our way. Do not let petty anger and unforgiveness lead you into a deeper sin that you may not soon recover from.

Mark 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Judas, not heeding the Lord's rebuke of his secret heart, acted apart from the Lord and against the Lord, betraying him for money to the chief priests. They shared in this sin, but the sin of Judas was greater, for he had been close to Jesus for over three years. All sin is against God. As David spoke in his prayer of repentance, following his sin with Bathsheba.

Psa 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psa 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psa 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psa 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

You know the right way, follow Jesus, repent and stay close to God.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Upper room

Mark 14:12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

They asked him where the Passover meal would be. Judas had already betrayed Jesus to the chief priests, if they knew where the Passover was to be held, perhaps they would be waiting there for him to take him away?

Mark 14:13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

Only two of his trusted disciples were sent to find the room, and they were to look for a man bearing a water pitcher. The custom was that the women carried the pitchers, the men had flasks made of skins. When you see this man with the pitcher, follow him to the room.

Mark 14:14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

Apparently Jesus had made arrangements with the man beforehand, in secret. Perhaps the man had come to Jesus earlier offering the room to him.

Mark 14:15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

It was already prepared for them. I had attended a Passover meal, a Christian Passover with friends in the upper room of a restaurant. They had prepared it earlier, but over the head table was a sign advertising beer. They had overlooked this. We removed it before the service. The room that Jesus would partake of his last Passover supper, was all furnished and ready for them, with no image of beer. The word images would be of wine and his broken body for sins.

Mark 14:16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

They made ready the Passover meal. This would be an important event for all. At this event Jesus would announce the new covenant in his blood.

Unpardonable Sin

Mark 14:17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

Jesus comes to the prepared upper room for his last Passover supper. All twelve were present as he had this final time to speak to them.

Mark 14:18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

To eat together is one form of fellowship. It is an intimate time together, a special time to get to hear from others and to share personal things.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Jesus spoke of one who was at the table who would betray him. He knew peoples hearts and still knows our hearts as well, he is God the Son.

Mark 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

Can you imagine Judas pretending not to know? He was perhaps afraid of the others if they should discover that he had made arrangements, for money, to betray the Lord. He feared man, lusted after his own wealth, while denying the Lord that he had been with for three and a half years.

Mark 14:20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

John's gospel says more of this.

John 13:25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
John 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
John 13:28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
John 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
John 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

It is written that he must die and that he would rise again on the third day. But, woe to the one who betrayed him. It would be better that he never was born. It would be better to not be born then to spend eternity in torment in the lake of fire. Do you know that there are many around us who do not have hope or meaning in their lives? They need Jesus.

Judas would seek to repent, but he went the wrong people, those who wanted Jesus dead.

Mat 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Mat 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
Mat 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

There was no repentance for Judas, he had gone too far. He had seen the work of the Holy Spirit and denied the Christ.

Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Judas had witnessed the evidence, that Jesus had the power of God, the fulness of the Holy Spirit. He himself had been filled to go out and heal the sick and cast out demons.

Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Judas was the fulfillment of the verses in Hebrews 6, having seen the power of the Holy Spirit and partaken of it, he still loved money more than God, and denied the Christ.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

You have not yet sinned against the Holy Spirit, if you are concerned. If you want to repent and receive Jesus, he wants you to come to him, believing that he is the savior to save you from your sins.

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Call upon the name of Jesus and be saved.

The Lamb of God

Mark 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

Jesus was using the bread as symbolism for His body, he blessed the bread, broke it and said, take, eat: this is my body.

1 Cor 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1 Cor 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

We are to do this in remembrance of his broken body. His bones would be pulled out of their sockets and his flesh would be broken and torn for our sins. Yet not a bone would be broken, to fulfill prophecy.

On the cross

John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
John 19:35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
John 19:36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

The reference to not breaking the bone, concerned the Passover Lamb.

Exo 12:46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

Jesus is the Lamb of God.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

New Testament blood

Mark 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
Mark 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Wine is red, the color of blood. It is the fruit of the vine, and Jesus is the vine we receive from. The life giving vine.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Why was his blood required to be spilled for us?

Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Mark 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

He will drink with his bride, the church.

Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

The blood was shed to make the new testament. A testament is a will. We leave wills telling what we want to be given to those who inherit. Jesus' will is the new testament, through his blood he gives eternal life to all who believe in him. Our inheritance is sharing in all God has, we share in all that Jesus has as God's Son.

Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

They Sung an Hymn

Mark 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

A Passover meal always ended with singing three Psalms known as the Hallel, Psalms 116-118. Think of how the words of these Psalms would have ministered to Jesus as He sang them on the night before His crucifixion. Perhaps some of the following Psalms were sang on that night:

Psa 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
Psa 116:13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Psa 116:14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
Psa 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Psa 117:1 O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
Psa 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Psa 118:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 118:2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 118:3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 118:4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

Psa 118:14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Psa 118:15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
Psa 118:16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
Psa 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

Psa 118:21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
Psa 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Psa 118:23 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
Psa 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Neh 8:10...for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Jesus sang hymns before the crucifixion.

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Do not let worry, negative thoughts and depression come to you. Rest in Jesus, be not weary in well doing. Keep your hearts in song, singing praises unto the Lord.

Thou shalt deny me

Mark 14:27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

(NKJV) Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.'

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Jesus did everything through the Father's will. This was also His will; to wait until power would come to them to follow and witness -- in the Spirit.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Comforter, sent by the Father, in the name of Jesus. He would be as Jesus at our side.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

No matter what comes, there is His peace and presence with his disciples.

Mark 14:28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

He was comforting them, after he is risen, He will be with them again, for a time. Death cannot hold Jesus in the ground. He has overcome death and the grave.

Mark 14:29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

Perhaps Peter still remembered the words of Jesus at the last supper? He assured him that he would not be the one to betray the Lord!

Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Mark 14:30 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.

That was not what Peter wanted to hear. Sometimes the Lord's message is not what we want to hear, but we had better hear!

Woe to those who will not hear the word of God!

2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Tim 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Mark 14:31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

Peter with all his heart, and flesh will, wanted to be loyal to Jesus. He had not yet received the permanent presence of the Holy Spirit, but he would at Pentecost. Then he would have power to do God's will. We fail in the flesh.

Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

God's will, not our own

Mark 14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

Jesus takes his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. He came to pray.

Mark 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

He took three close men with him, and was greatly distressed and troubled;

Mark 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

His soul was almost to the point of death. Would you stay close by and stay awake? They should have known that Jesus needed prayer, yet some things we endure alone. They could not die for our sins; Jesus must die. He was willing to die right there, perhaps, his soul being to the point of death, but it was necessary that his blood be shed for sins. Do you see how satan could have tempted him here to just die? Many are tempted by satan to kill themselves, to just die, hold on, and seek God's will. Always we follow God and not satan. When life gets difficult, God is there. Do not give up.

Mark 14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Mark 14:36 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.

Jesus, our example: he asks his abba Father, that he somehow might escape the coming sacrifice, perhaps as God provided a sacrifice for Abraham, as he was preparing to sacrifice his son? Abraham was obeying God, and God had mercy. Jesus must go to the cross, so that we may receive mercy and grace. Death could not keep Jesus in the grave. He asks the Father to escape this terrible ordeal, but, The Father's Will, not mine. If the Father wills, he will obey the Father to the cross.

Phil 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Mark 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

So hard to stay awake, yet, Jesus needed them to pray with him. Hear this: If Jesus wanted others to pray for him? We should not prevent others from praying for our needs. The spirit of God is our strength, always willing to do right, but the flesh body is weak. Watch and pray for your ownselves that you not fall into sin, because of weak flesh and pray for others, also. God has a work for you to finish, so do not let satan stop you. Notice that Jesus was giving help to his disciples, even when he had so much on his mind. He knew what was coming. Do not let worries keep you from reaching out to others. Be as our Lord Jesus Christ; the perfect man and Son of God.

The hour is come

Mark 14:39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

What words?

Mark 14:36 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 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

They didn't know how to pray for him. They did not yet have the Holy Spirit to help them.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

They did not have the Spirit, but Jesus had the fulness of the Spirit. For sure God the Father heard his prayers. All things work together for good, in God's will. The flesh and soul seeks comfort, the comforter sends help in the Spiritual things.

2 Cor 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

As we overcome in Christ, Christ Jesus overcame by submitting to the Father when he was with us in the form of a man. God sent help: an angel came to comfort him.

Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

Mark 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Sleep on now, you were of no help, continue in your slumber, but remember what I told you earlier.

Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

He was warning them about their own weaknesses. Watch, stay awake and pray, lest you fall into sin through temptation or trials. He told them to take rest: it is enough, the time is over now, his hour, or the time of suffering and death, had come. Look now, the son of man, the one who is God in man fulfilling the prophecies, is betrayed by a friend into the hands of sinners; those serving satan.

Mark 14:42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
Mark 14:43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

Judas came to betray the master for the price of thirty pieces of silver. He should have watched and prayed to avoid temptation. His temptation was money. What is yours? Watch and pray. Be aware of your temptations and overcome them by the power of prayer; the power of God. What ever does not please God must be cast down.

Betrayed with a kiss

Mark 14:44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
Mark 14:45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

It was the custom to greet a friend with a kiss. Master, master, he spoke, but Judas betrayed his master.

2 Cor 13:12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.

This was not a holy kiss from Judas.

Luke 22:48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

Judas, betrayed the Lord with a kiss, as a lustful man would kiss and take from an innocent young woman and leave. After kissing Jesus, Judas said, take him , and lead him away safely. Apparently he was unaware of what they would do to Jesus. They were not taking him to dine, and then put him on the first stage out of town. I wonder if Judas was aware of the serious offense he had committed. He would soon be aware, for it is the devil's way to tempt you and to seduce you in your area of weakness. Afterwards he torments and accuses you, so there is never peace or gain in serving the devil.

Some pretend to love and serve God, but they do not hear him. They continue in their selfish ways. Do we sing holy, holy, holy in church and live for the devil the rest of the week? I hope not. Blessed are those who see and hear Jesus, who listen to his words with understanding and who see with spiritual eyes.

Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

I think Judas was one who was so near to God, yet was not seeing or hearing. He was caught up into his own desires and fell into satans plan, instead of God's plan for his life. Remember the words of Jesus at the last Passover.

John 13:21 ...Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
John 13:22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
John 13:25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
John 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

His disciples were there, but none understood that it was Judas until the actual betrayal. They too were poor seers in the spirit. We must watch out for ourselves and warn those who are falling. They may not want to hear our warning, but we warn them because we care. This is what we do. We are to lead others to Jesus and obey him. Judas went through the motions, but his heart was evil, and he betrayed Jesus. Our disobedience will affect those closest to us, so let's stay alert to God's voice and follow him. It would soon be over for Judas, but we are not done yet. Let's make our life a blessing to others and serve the Lord.

All forsook him

Mark 14:46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
Mark 14:47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

Luke the physician, tells us more.

Luke 22:50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

The person with the sword must have been left handed.

Luke 22:51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

John's gospel

John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
John 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Matthew's account

Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Mark 14:48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
Mark 14:49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

It was the time, and scriptures must be fulfilled. Jesus did the will of the Father as he talked to him in prayer. He also did the Father's will in obedience, fulfilling earlier prophecies. God's word stands, not a word spoken from Him will fail.

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Mark 14:50 And they all forsook him, and fled.
Mark 14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

This must have been Mark, who wrote this gospel account.

Mark 14:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

The young man followed, while everyone fled, but he too ran away in shame. All fled at the time of Jesus' arrest. This was as Jesus had said.

Mat 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
Mat 26:32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

May we, by the Holy Spirit, not run from Jesus when things same out of control.

The devils servants

Mark 14:53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

Apparently all were in agreement, that he be punished. Among them were silent believers, Nicodemus from John three, must have been there. Will we join the majority, even within our church if the leadership is set on going against God's best? Sometimes we will speak up for truth and justice, and it may make us unpopular or even feared. Still, Jesus came for this purpose, as he said to Peter:

John 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Mark 14:54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Peter, in the power of his flesh, followed at a distance. Just as those of the Jewish leadership followed close to the desires of their chief priests, none had yet the Spirit of God for power and discernment to do the will of God.

Mark 14:55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

Here is the difference between those of God and his enemies. Those who oppose Jesus oppose God out of a wicked heart, seeking to prove themselves as right, opposing the truth. They did then and they do today. They said they followed God, as some say they follow Allah, yet they kill the innocent in the name of their god. In truth, they follow their god, satan, though all would deny this as being true. THEY KNOW NOT THE TRUTH. Jesus spoke to those who accused him at an earlier time:

John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Mark 14:56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

They were not of truth, but even those who have nothing in common, but their hate for Jesus; these will come in agreement against him. They did it to Jesus and they will do it to His witnesses.

Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Mat 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Mat 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Mat 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Mat 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Are you hearing truth?

Mark 14:57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
Mark 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

Did he say that?

John 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
John 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

He had turned over the money changers tables in the Temple court of the Gentiles.

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
John 2:20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
John 2:21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

They did not hear with spiritual ears. People accuse because of hearing a twisted message. The devil controls their seeing and hearing. Often what is spoken in truth, is received wrong by those who are not yet hearing as God's Spirit hears.

Another passage is like the one above. Jesus speaks with a Spiritual meaning, but the natural mind hears incorrectly. Speaking of another building, the church.

Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Rock the church is built on is Christ the rock. Peter would be a stone that was laid on the foundation that was Jesus. Peter never claimed to be the stone that was the foundation for the church. He would be one stone among many lively stones that make up the church.

1 Pet 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1 Pet 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Pet 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

May we be blessed with Spiritual hearing of the truth as the mind of Christ; words received in truth, not twisted by the devil.

Peter's denial

Mark 14:66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

Peter was warming himself by the fire in the courtyard. He had followed Jesus there. Have you ever been in a place that you did not want to be seen or recognized? Perhaps indulging in a desire of the world, warming yourself by the worlds fire or folly? Perhaps a Christian among heathens, you just want to be invisable.

Mark 14:67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
Mark 14:68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

Peter denies being with Jesus.

Mark 14:69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

These were maids of the high priest, servants of the evil one. The devils servants are always accusing the followers of Jesus, especially those weak in faith.

Mark 14:70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

We notice accents too. Those in the south have a different style of speaking then do those of the New England states.

Mark 14:71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

The devil was really tormenting him. He cursed and swore and I am sure some of us have as well, when we were upset and not yet filled with God's Spirit. Calm down, speak the name of Jesus and praise him, it will pass. Satan cannot stand it when we praise our God, nor will he stay if we speak the word of God, spoken by God's spirit filled person.

Mark 14:72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

Mark 14:29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
Mark 14:30 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 14:31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

We do good when we are in church or surrounded by Christians; the test is when we are not. Peter failed this test and was very upset, yet? He did what Jesus said he would do. If God speaks, it will come to pass.

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