Day 14: April 4, 2020

It is appropriate as we approach Holy Week (April 5-11) that today’s reading covers many of the events of the last week of Jesus’ life before the Resurrection. We see Jesus:

  • Anointed at Bethany
  • Betrayed by Judas
  • Instituting the Lord’s Supper with the disciples
  • Tried by Jewish religious leaders
  • Mocked and beaten by the guards
  • And dramatically denied by Peter

CFBC-JV has been performing an outdoor drama called “Journey to the Cross” for years (except this year, unfortunately). As a result of walking through that heart-wrenching drama, any time I read about Jesus’ last days, I am transported to that time and place. I can see the scenes in my mind. As you read today, ask the Lord to transport you to that special series of events, when our Lord willingly gave Himself to be sacrificed for us. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)

Mark 14

The Plot to Kill Jesus

1 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Judas to Betray Jesus

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover with the Disciples

12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 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.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 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 Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

43 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. 44 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.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled.

A Young Man Flees

51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.

Jesus Before the Council

53 And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. 54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 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.” 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. 65 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.

Peter Denies Jesus

66 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 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.” 71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” 72 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.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.


What emotions did you experience while reading about Jesus’ betrayal and trial? What would you have done if you were one of his disciples?

Many biblical scholars believe Mark’s Gospel relied heavily on the eyewitness account of Peter. Imagine Peter sharing his worse moments with Mark. Notice the contrast between our Savior, the perfect Son of God, doing exactly what He said He would do, and Peter, a sinful man, doing exactly what he said he would NOT do. Put your trust in the never changing, always truthful character of our Lord. Jesus did exactly what He said He would do – for YOU!


9 thoughts on “Mark Chapter 14

  1. All i have to say thank you Lord Jesus for the price you paid for us we did not deserved it but your love for us is great that we only have to praise and worship you all the days of our lives thank you thank you thank you Jesus

  2. Lord I lift Your Name on High. Lord I sing of Your praises. You came from heaven to earth to show the way. From the earth to the cross my debt to pay……….Lord I lift Your Name on High.

  3. Peter’s actions challenge me to heighten my sense of awareness of missed opportunities to be bold for Christ. These missed opportunities probably happen more often than we think.

  4. The Lord Jesus is worthy of all praises, glory, and honor. He didn’t have to die for us sinners who are unworthy. But He did because of His unconditional love for us. Today, after reading this passage, I’m reminded to obey our Father’s will no matter what it costs, just as Jesus did. Obedience to His will sometimes involves sacrifices, but it’s nothing compared to what Jesus went through.

  5. Sadness and regret for we are all like those who have betrayed and denied Jesus Christ. But the reassurance is Jesus forgave them, and we need to only ask for the same forgiveness.

    1. To answer the devotional questions, it’s disheartening that two of Jesus’s disciples were not loyal to him during a turbulent time where Jesus knew what was eventually going to happen to him. I’ve always wondered what any other disciple would have done if they were in Peter’s situation. I would have not betrayed Him, regardless of the consequences.

      This passage serves as a reminder that we, as believers, should remain true to our faith and not denounce it in whatever situation we find ourselves in.

  6. I felt their fear when faced with uncertainty and coming persecution for being Christ followers. I love their relationship with the Savior! Even those who betrayed or denied him…as we can so easily do! But yes, our Lord does what He says He will do!! Trust and obey!!❤️

  7. It’s no wonder that we need to be saved. We fall short of the glory of God, by so much. We have no hope to save ourselves. There is no way for us on our own, to be with God, but God made a way named Jesus! Thank you Lord for forgiving me of my sins, saving me and allowing me to grow as your disciple.

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