And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Darkness has descended and the Son of God hangs between heaven and earth. The gospel of Mark reports that Jesus breaks hours of silence with these gut wrenching words of forsakenness. The Lord of Glory has passed through these many hours alone feeling forsaken by his friends and now revealing a deeper forsakenness. And the onlookers mock him without pity. He who was compassion incarnate experienced no compassion in death.
In the midst of a sober and dark moment in time Christ cries out and the history of mankind is changed forever! The centurion saw it in his face. The temple veil could not stay in tact. Existence on planet earth was taking a radical turn upwards. A divine seed was being planted and forsakenness was being turned inside out. No longer would mankind be alone in suffering. He who is compassion incarnate would transcend death and be with us forever!
Alleluia! Death could not hold you! I am not forsaken! Compassion is with me today!
Jesus made no further answer ...
And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
The silence of the Son of God is deafening. Accused of blasphemy and sentenced to death the Lord makes no defense to either the religious or civil leaders. In fact, in Mark's gospel, the next words he utters is from the cross. The Lamb of God is being led to slaughter, has said all that he will say and has no further words for mankind. His silence haunts humanity.
Yet God was speaking as Jesus kept silent. From his refusal to speak we learn that God is greater than man and does not answer to us. We understand that the actions of incarnate love speak louder than fleshly words. Jesus' silence reminds me that spoken words are not needed to hear the voice of God in my heart. His peace in my heart speaks volumes.
Help me to be a listener today Lord and hear what you are speaking to my heart.
The silence of the Son of God is deafening. Accused of blasphemy and sentenced to death the Lord makes no defense to either the religious or civil leaders. In fact, in Mark's gospel, the next words he utters is from the cross. The Lamb of God is being led to slaughter, has said all that he will say and has no further words for mankind. His silence haunts humanity.
Yet God was speaking as Jesus kept silent. From his refusal to speak we learn that God is greater than man and does not answer to us. We understand that the actions of incarnate love speak louder than fleshly words. Jesus' silence reminds me that spoken words are not needed to hear the voice of God in my heart. His peace in my heart speaks volumes.
Help me to be a listener today Lord and hear what you are speaking to my heart.
You will deny me ...
And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
In the still of the darkest of nights two men stand listening to the testimony of witnesses. As Jesus stands before the religious court Peter faces a servant girl. The mettle of each man is being tested. In Christ we see a blazing example of courage under fire. In Peter we see a total capitulation to the forces of cowardice. The difference is starkly compelling.
Jesus had been preparing for such a moment his whole life. For years he had done the things that gave him the strength of heart to resist the temptation to capitulate to the high priest. Peter on the other hand was a man of fleshly strength and did not possess the inner power to stand under temptation. One man went to the cross and one wept bitterly.
Help me Lord to do things that strengthen my heart so that I will be able to resist temptation.
In the still of the darkest of nights two men stand listening to the testimony of witnesses. As Jesus stands before the religious court Peter faces a servant girl. The mettle of each man is being tested. In Christ we see a blazing example of courage under fire. In Peter we see a total capitulation to the forces of cowardice. The difference is starkly compelling.
Jesus had been preparing for such a moment his whole life. For years he had done the things that gave him the strength of heart to resist the temptation to capitulate to the high priest. Peter on the other hand was a man of fleshly strength and did not possess the inner power to stand under temptation. One man went to the cross and one wept bitterly.
Help me Lord to do things that strengthen my heart so that I will be able to resist temptation.
Seated at the right hand of Power ...
And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.
...
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.
In the middle of the night court is convened, Jesus is dragged before the religious elders and "witnesses" with conflicting testimonies are brought forth to accuse him. Darkness has descended on Israel and the prince of darkness has seized control of the court. You can sense the self-righteous anger and profound frustration that is present as Jesus refuses to participate in this mockery of justice. Then, in the midst of darkness, the Lord speaks.
Christ's response to the high priest is majestic and chilling. In a few words he settles the question forever as he tells them, and us, that he is Israel's long awaited Messiah. The reaction of the high priest and the court is telling. Understanding that Jesus claims to be God in the flesh the high priest calls his confession blasphemous. The events that follow are absolutely appalling as the darkness further descends on backslidden Israel.
You are the Christ, the Son of the Blessed! Once again I surrender my life to you.
...
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.
In the middle of the night court is convened, Jesus is dragged before the religious elders and "witnesses" with conflicting testimonies are brought forth to accuse him. Darkness has descended on Israel and the prince of darkness has seized control of the court. You can sense the self-righteous anger and profound frustration that is present as Jesus refuses to participate in this mockery of justice. Then, in the midst of darkness, the Lord speaks.
Christ's response to the high priest is majestic and chilling. In a few words he settles the question forever as he tells them, and us, that he is Israel's long awaited Messiah. The reaction of the high priest and the court is telling. Understanding that Jesus claims to be God in the flesh the high priest calls his confession blasphemous. The events that follow are absolutely appalling as the darkness further descends on backslidden Israel.
You are the Christ, the Son of the Blessed! Once again I surrender my life to you.
Have you come out as against a robber ...
The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand. And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled.
There is a tendency, especially for those of us who have read this passage many times, to gloss over what is really happening to our Lord. A man who has daily shared meals with him and walked at his side for many years has turned his back on him and done something unspeakable. I wonder if his heart was breaking as one disciple betrayed him with a kiss and all the others fled from his side? It was such a sad prelude to the cross of his suffering.
Jesus responds to Judas' kiss with words that point to the dark cowardice of the religious leaders. Instead of engaging Jesus in an open forum these come in the darkness of night to seize him. It speaks so clearly of their dark motives and spineless actions. Yet, in contrast to their actions, we see in Christ an example of courage and brilliance. Betrayal could not quench his light. He remains for us an example of courage under extreme pressure.
Praise you Lord Jesus. Help me to embrace your light and your courage today.
There is a tendency, especially for those of us who have read this passage many times, to gloss over what is really happening to our Lord. A man who has daily shared meals with him and walked at his side for many years has turned his back on him and done something unspeakable. I wonder if his heart was breaking as one disciple betrayed him with a kiss and all the others fled from his side? It was such a sad prelude to the cross of his suffering.
Jesus responds to Judas' kiss with words that point to the dark cowardice of the religious leaders. Instead of engaging Jesus in an open forum these come in the darkness of night to seize him. It speaks so clearly of their dark motives and spineless actions. Yet, in contrast to their actions, we see in Christ an example of courage and brilliance. Betrayal could not quench his light. He remains for us an example of courage under extreme pressure.
Praise you Lord Jesus. Help me to embrace your light and your courage today.
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him.
And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come.”
The phrase that I have used in this post title is often used to explain moral failures and the capitulation to fleshly temptation. While that is probably an appropriate explanation of events like that, I think that it is interesting to note that Jesus uses it to describe a failure to persevere in prayer. Three times the Lord chided the disciples for their failure to pray. It makes me wonder why, after seeing their friend so troubled, they could not prevail with him.
The underlying foundation of prayer is the idea that God wants to help us and He is able to do so. Yet sometimes this deep truth is forgotten when we our flesh is tired and weary. In times of testing it is good to remember that a prayer can be a simple as Peter crying out to Jesus "Lord save me!" when he began to sink as he walked on the water. A good reminder to us that our Father cares and wants to hear the cries of our heart when we pray.
You are listening Lord. Help us to remember to pray throughout our day.
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him.
And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come.”
The phrase that I have used in this post title is often used to explain moral failures and the capitulation to fleshly temptation. While that is probably an appropriate explanation of events like that, I think that it is interesting to note that Jesus uses it to describe a failure to persevere in prayer. Three times the Lord chided the disciples for their failure to pray. It makes me wonder why, after seeing their friend so troubled, they could not prevail with him.
The underlying foundation of prayer is the idea that God wants to help us and He is able to do so. Yet sometimes this deep truth is forgotten when we our flesh is tired and weary. In times of testing it is good to remember that a prayer can be a simple as Peter crying out to Jesus "Lord save me!" when he began to sink as he walked on the water. A good reminder to us that our Father cares and wants to hear the cries of our heart when we pray.
You are listening Lord. Help us to remember to pray throughout our day.
My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.
And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” [Mark 14:32-36 ESV]
My first wife Ellen suffered heart and kidney failure when she was 39. My kids and I watched her slowly die the following four years. Every day I fervently prayed for her healing. Yet a month before she died I found myself praying a prayer of both acceptance and release. I committed Ellen into the loving hands of Almighty God and said that whatever He wanted was OK with me. It was one of the toughest prayers that I have ever prayed.
Such is the prayer that we see Jesus praying in the garden. He was visibly distressed and troubled. His disciples could actually see it on his face. Sorrowful, painful and troubling words come from his mouth as the Son wrestles in prayer with the Father. As he prays we begin to understand what it is like to pray in impossible times. When he ends saying "not what I will, but what you will" he paints a glorious picture of what it means to pray.
I offer my sorrows up to you again today Lord. Not my will but thine be done.
Such is the prayer that we see Jesus praying in the garden. He was visibly distressed and troubled. His disciples could actually see it on his face. Sorrowful, painful and troubling words come from his mouth as the Son wrestles in prayer with the Father. As he prays we begin to understand what it is like to pray in impossible times. When he ends saying "not what I will, but what you will" he paints a glorious picture of what it means to pray.
I offer my sorrows up to you again today Lord. Not my will but thine be done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)