Mark 14:27-52

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

27"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written:

" 'I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.' 28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

29Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."

30"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."

31But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.

Gethsemane

32They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36"Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

37Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

39Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

Jesus Arrested

43Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48"Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." 50Then everyone deserted him and fled.

51A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.



BACKGROUND READING:


Genesis 3


John 18:1-11


Luke 22:47-53



Dig Deeper

One of the most frightening and disorienting things that can happen to anyone is when the strongest person in their life suddenly becomes weak. Whether it is a parent, a role model, or even a pastor who is suddenly weakened physically or spiritually it is always a challenging time. This is the backdrop for this scene that Mark paints for us here in in the garden of Gethsemane.


When reading a scene like this we must ask an important question. Why would the disciples include information that makes Jesus look so weak? Why would they include information that makes them look so bad? If, as many critics of the Bible claim, Jesus’ followers invented all of these stories after his death, why would they do this? This shows a clear distinction between Muhammad and the Koran, for instance, a book which claims that Muhammad never made mistakes or showed any weaknesses. This is demonstrated by the fact that none are ever described. In contrast, the biblical writers seem to be recording the detailed truth, painfully so at times.


Jesus tells his disciples that when the time comes, and it is screaming towards them even now, they will all abandon him. He knows that they will do this but doesn’t want them to be totally defeated. Thus, he gives them a bit of instruction of what to expect after everything has happened. Peter, as he does so often, blurts out the first thing that comes to his mind. He argues that he will never leave Jesus, and the others quickly agree. This is another demonstration that they still don’t understand his divinity. Who would, after all, argue with God himself?


As the scene switches to Gethsemane, Jesus asks his disciples to keep watch while he goes to pray. Jesus prays to God, addressing him as Abba. This is not a children’s word, but is an affectionate term for father. Jesus knows that he is about to drink from the cup of God’s wrath. If there is any other way for his work to be accomplished, he would gladly take it, but above all, emerges his devotion to the will of God. He prays three separate times, an event that will have a ghastly parody in the triple denial of Peter that is to come.


In the moment when Jesus was most intimate with the Father, and cried out to him in need, is the precise time that the answer to his prayer is ‘no’. This answer will set in place the course of events that will lead to Jesus being forsaken by the Father on the Cross. Perhaps we should not miss the point that when we want something the most and receive a ‘no’ answer from God, we can realize that it is not a sign of his rejection of us, but a signal that he is about to do something far greater than we imagined.


While the disciples are still groggy, Judas and the authorities are upon them. Judas betrays Jesus with what should be a greeting of brotherhood, a kiss between friends. The soldiers of the Temple come armed, acting as though Jesus is leading just the sort of kingdom that he has been speaking against all this time. This is true irony. They don’t need any weapons of any sort. Jesus has consistently spoken against the kind of movement that would lead to violence and yet, this is how they are treating him. Even so, Peter (as John tells us) does try to fight back, but Jesus quickly ends any thoughts of that sort of thing. With things swirling quickly now, Jesus followers abandon him. Mark tells us that everyone deserted him, rather than using the term disciples. They are not acting like disciples so, here, he will not give them the title.


Mark completes the imagery as he tells us that a young man, most likely Mark himself, has his outer garment ripped off and he is left to flee naked. Mark’s imagery here should not be missed. The disciple running in naked shame in the garden of course reminds us of Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden. Their disgrace and rejection of God is complete.



Devotional Thought

Are you like the disciples were here? They abandoned Jesus when things got really tough. They weren’t prepared for what was happening and they failed. How can you prepare yourself for the hard times? The key might be right there in the garden. While Jesus was praying and finding strength, the disciples were meeting their physical needs with sleep. Prayer is where we will find the strength to prepare ourselves for things that we cannot foresee.