For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2014:12-72&version=NIV
Lots here: last supper, Peter's denial (foretold and fulfilled), the prayer in Gethsemane, the arrest and trial.
Let Mark's gospel here linger in the heart and mind. This is truly a Holy week...the One whom we have encountered throughout the Gospel, powerful, authoritative, is willingly and humbly in His last days for the world's sake, for our sake. He lays His life down as a ransom (10:45).
Can you imagine having Jesus say to you, "it would be good for you if you had never been born!"? Wow.
ReplyDeleteIt's comforting to know that the author of creation felt fear just like I do. His statement of "take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what YOU will" has helped me through many a troubled night.
Yesterday Wendy commented on Judas' betrayal. I responded that I was of the belief that Judas truly loved Jesus. Notice in verse 44 he says, "seize Him and lead Him away safely."
Verse 61 tells us that even in the midst of multiple accusations He kept silent. I love the example. It's hard to do when people, even those you love, are berating you, but it's often the best course of action.
vs. 62 Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with clouds of heaven." Hurray! I can't wait :)
Peter's denial...another example of our difficult behavior under stress and especially when we're afraid. It's good to see Jesus' specific forgiveness of Peter after the resurrection.
GOD bless, all.
"It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
ReplyDeleteDo you think that Jesus saying "It would be better for him if he had not been born" is a warning about the judgment God will place on Judas? Jesus loves Judas, I wonder if this isn't a warning about the angst he knows Judas will suffer once he fully realizes what he has done. Will Judas' earthly actions separate him from Christ for eternity?
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
ReplyDeleteWendy, I believe with every fiber of my being that, once saved, always saved. Period. End of issue. I know many that have other opinions, but this one is mine. The question then, for me, is this: Did Judas in his heart give his life to Jesus or didn't he? If he did, then he is saved for all eternity regardless of the hell he lived in for the remainder of his days on earth. If he didn't, well...