March 22, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

God On the Mountain

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

So great a God, so great a love, so great a salvation, so great a destiny. Lord, my heart is overwhelmed.

Read Mark 14:43-52

For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.

[43] Just 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. [44] Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” [45] Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. [46] The men seized Jesus and arrested him. [47] Then 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? [49] Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” [50] Then everyone deserted him and fled. [51] A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, [52] he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Reflect

“For me it was in the garden, he said not my will but thine; he had no tears for his own griefs, but sweat drops of blood for mine” (C.H. Gabriel, 1856-1932).

The opposition intensifies on the Mount of Olives. The betrayal that was prophesied at the Passover meal becomes actualized on the hill, and Judas’ prearranged sign of friendship becomes a “signal’ which marks Jesus for execution (44). Two kisses have intermingled–the betraying kiss is hidden in the kiss of intimacy. It is a sign of the approachability of God that Judas knew that familiarity. Access and closeness were guaranteed: “We ate the food / We drank the wine / Everybody having a good time / Except you / You were talking about the end of the world … In the garden I was playing the tart / I kissed your cheek, and broke your heart” (Bono/U2, The End of the World). 

Peter lashes out in the heat of the moment, trying to control the chaos and devastation of what he is witnessing. He slices off an ear with a sword (47), but we learn in Luke that Jesus immediately heals and restores (Luke 22:51), making it clear that his Kingdom will advance in another way. When these two parts of the story are taken together, we see that Christian vulnerability allows us to be wounded, especially emotionally, and that this may mean we can be bruised and hurt by unscrupulous men or women, and handed over by those we once trusted. Jesus’ Kingdom is not one of the sword.

Lastly, a man runs naked from the scene in the panic. That’s a final clue in the events of this fateful night that Jesus would bear such a shame for the fearful and the lost, by becoming naked in his sacrificial death on the cross.

Apply

Have you recently lashed out in defense, or been on the receiving end of someone else’s panicked or stressed reactions? If so, ask for healing.

Closing prayer

Father God, Your ways are not my ways, Your thoughts are not my thoughts. I ask for wisdom to live a life worthy of You.

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