Pilate didn’t want to order Jesus’ crucifixion. Why? He didn’t want to give the Jews, whom he despised, the satisfaction (Mark 15:10). But he had other reasons: Pilate’s wife had a dream warning him to have nothing to do with that “innocent man” (Matt. 27:19) Pilate was afraid that Jesus […]

Two weeks ago we saw Jesus appearing before the High Priest (Mark 14:53-65), and the effort they made to convict Jesus by false testimony. Jesus is now bound and taken to Pontius Pilate, the Procurator representing Judea. The Jews would accept nothing less than Jesus death – not just a […]

About a month ago we read how Jesus had predicted the scattering of the disciples and, in particular, how Peter would deny Jesus three times. At the time, Peter could not conceive of any reason he would ever deny his Lord.

All the religious big-wigs gathered together in the chambers of the High Priest: the Chief Priests, Elders and Teachers of the Law (Mark 14:53). All seeking to build a case against Jesus so they could put Him to death (Mark 14:55). It seemed that in all of Jesus’ public speaking, […]

Mark 14:51-52 is a curious passage of scripture. The gospel writer is describing the arrest of Jesus. It begins the series of events which led to Jesus’ unjust trial, conviction, execution by crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection. Yet these two verses, in the midst of all Jesus’ followers deserting Him, describe […]

Last week we touched on how Jesus struggled with God’s will for Him. Today we read how He is betrayed and arrested – the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s will as described in the Old Testament prophesies. Jesus’ words reveal that His decision was final: “But the Scriptures must […]

In less than 24 hours, Jesus was going to suffer immeasurable physical brutality and a long, excruciating death in naked humiliation hanging on a cross. Jesus was fully aware of this, and even told His disciples, “my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Mark 14:34) In […]

As Jesus was making His final preparations before His crucifixion, He once again warned them of what would soon happen. “You will all fall away, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered’ (Zech. 13:7) But after I have risen, I will go […]

Communion – the taking of bread and wine – symbolizes our sharing in Christ’s suffering and the New Covenant established when His body was broken and He shed His blood for our sins. Communion is not something we enter into lightly. The Apostle Paul wrote, “…whoever eats the bread and […]

In the Family Circus comic strip, every now and then an invisible character makes his appearance. “Not me” is his name and when mom and dad come upon a broken lamp or some other little incident, the little gremlin “Not me” can be seen fleeing the scene, on to more […]