Scripture Reading : Mark 14:43-72
Theme : The Arrest & Trial of Jesus
- Jesus is Betrayed. In Middle Eastern culture, a kiss on the cheek was a sign of respect and showed the closest love and affection reserved for those with intimate relationships, like a disciple with his teacher. Judas chose to betray Jesus with such an act, showing forth his hypocrisy. The young man who fled naked was probably Mark himself, since the mob would have first gone to his house, where Jesus observed the Passover. Awoken by the commotion, Mark probably got up and hastily followed the mop, wrapped only with a linen sheet.
- Jesus is Tried. The first trial Jesus faced was from the religious authority, the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the Supreme Court of Israel, consisting of 71 members, led by the High-Priest. The trial of Jesus was illegal even by Jewish law, because Jewish law forbade the trial of anyone at night. However, the Sanhedrin wanted to quickly condemn Jesus to death, because it was their plot all along.
- Jesus is Denied. Peter followed along, most likely together with John (John 18:15), while the rest of the disciples fled (Mark 14:50). However, when a servant-girl recognized Peter, he denied Jesus three times, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction. At this point, Peter was filled with sorrow and wept godly tears, unlike Judas, who went to hang himself (Matthew 27:3-10).
Praying the Scripture
- Do we claim to love Jesus and follow Him, like Judas? Judas even showed outward signs of loving Jesus, including the kiss. However, his heart was full of hypocrisy and he betrayed Jesus. Let us pray that we will not only claim to love Jesus outwardly, but also genuinely love Him in our hearts.
- Jesus kept silent during His trial, because He was determined to go to the cross to offer His life for sinners. If He had defended His own innocence, He would not have died, jeopardizing God’s plan to save sinners. Let us thank God for His willingness to die for our sins on the cross.
- The fact that Peter (& John) followed Jesus to the courtyard of the High Priest showed that there was some courage in them. Before we condemn Peter for denying Jesus, we should examine ourselves – we might not even have as much courage as he did. Nevertheless, Peter denied Jesus, but he repented. We may be guilty of denying Jesus when we are afraid of letting others know we are Christians, or shy away from telling them the Gospel. Let us repent, like Peter, and boldly acknowledge our Lord and Savior.
经文：马可福音14:43-72
主题：耶稣的被捉与受审
- 耶稣被卖。在中东文化里，亲嘴是尊敬的表示，象征人因亲密关系才有的爱与情意，如门徒与他的师傅。犹大选择以这样的举动出卖耶稣，显明他的虚假之心。那个赤身逃走的少年人有可能就是马可，因为那群暴民会先到他的家，也就是耶稣过逾越节的地方。马可或许因那场骚乱被惊醒，起身便仓促地跟着他们，身上只披着一块麻布。
- 耶稣受审。耶稣面对的第一场审讯是对着公会，即以色列的宗教权柄。公会是以色列的高等法庭，有71成员，由大祭司带领。耶稣的审讯即便在犹太法律中也算是非法的，因为犹太法律禁止任何人在夜间受审。然而，公会想要迅速将耶稣判死，因为那是他们初衷的计谋。
- 不认耶稣。彼得在后跟着，而约翰大可能也是（约18:15）；其他门徒则逃走了（50节）。可是，当一个使女认出彼得时，他就三次不认耶稣，由此应验了耶稣的预言。这时，彼得充满了悲伤，流下敬虔的眼泪，不像犹大，出去上吊（太27:3-10）。
用经文祷告
- 我们是否像犹大一样，声称爱耶稣并跟随祂呢？犹大甚至做出了爱耶稣的外在表示，包括亲嘴。然而，他却是虚情假意的，且卖了耶稣。让我们祷告我们不但会表明自己爱耶稣，心里也是真心爱祂的。
- 耶稣受审时都不说话，因为祂决意要上十字架，为罪人献上自己的生命。耶稣若为自己辩护，祂就不会死，从而毁了神救罪人的计划。让我们感谢神愿意为我们的罪被钉十字架。
- 单凭彼得（与约翰）跟着耶稣到大祭司的院子里，就能表明他（们）还是有胆量的。在我们谴责彼得不认耶稣之前，我们要检讨自己，因为我们或许连他的胆识也没有。彼得确实曾不认耶稣，但他为此悔改了。当我们害怕人知道我们是基督徒，又或者我们不敢向人传福音时，我们或许就是不认耶稣。让我们像彼得一样，为此悔改，并勇胆地认我们的救主。
