OceanSide church of Christ

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PRE-CRUCIFIXION EVENTS

CONNECTED TO THE SERVANT OF GOD (2)

Mark 14

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Last week we looked at the first half of Mark 14. 

1.     We noted that the events of this chapter are “pre-crucifixion” events.

2.     We examined five of the events in that lesson:

a.     The PLANNING of the chief priests and leaders to put Jesus to death.

b.    The ANOINTING of Jesus for the burial by Mark’s unnamed woman.

c.    The BETRAYAL of Jesus by Judas.

d.    The REMEMBRANCE feast, or, Lord’s Supper instituted by Jesus.

e.     The PREDICTION by Jesus that His disciples would be scattered.

 

B.    Note that all of these situations have something to do with the imminent death of the Son of God.

1.     Jesus could now begin to feel the heavy burden of the crucifixion.

2.     What was He to do at this time?  This leads us into tonight’s lesson.  Jesus’ action involves the sixth pre-crucifixion event.

 

I.           PRAYER  (Mark 14:32-42)

 

A.   The Place:  Gethsemane (Mark 14:32)

 

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane:  and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

 

B.    The Pain (Mark 14:33-34)

1.     The three-fold description:

a.     Sore amazed:  to throw into terror or amazement

b.    Very heavy:  to be in distress of mind, full of heaviness, deep anguish

c.    Exceeding sorrowful:

1)     Literally: grieved all around

2)     Intensely sad

2.     This would not be the only pain He would experience in the garden.

a.     Luke 22:44

 

And being in agony he prayed more earnestly:  and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

 

b.    Hebrews 5:7

 

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.

 

C.   The Prayer (Mark 14:35-36)

 

And he went forward a little, and 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 unto thee; take away this cup from me:  nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

 

1.     Recipient:  Jesus prayed to the Father

2.     Resources:  Jesus acknowledged the Father’s power

3.     Request:  Let this cup pass from me

4.     Resignation:  He submitted His will to the will of the Father

5.     Repetition:  The prayer was prayed three times (Mark 14:39, 41)  Verse 39 states:  …and he spoke the same words.

6.     Resolve:  Jesus was ready to face the challenges of the crucifixion (Mark 14:41b-42)

 

…it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

 

a.     There is a lot of difference in the emotional well-being of Jesus now as compared to when He first prayed.

b.    This communication with the Father strengthened Jesus for the task at hand.

c.    We can receive similar assistance in prayer (Heb. 4:15-16).

 

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

II.         ARREST (Mark 14:43-52)

 

A.   Detained (Mark 14:43-46)

1.     The crowds (Mark 14:43)

2.     The kiss (Mark 14:44-45)

 

And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

 

a.     A kiss of greeting is turned into a kiss of deception.

A kiss of friendship is turned into a kiss of betrayal.

A kiss of joy is turned into a kiss of death.

b.    No wonder Jesus asked:  Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? (Luke 22:48).

3.     The capture (Mark 14:46)

 

B.    Defended (Mark 14:47-49)

1.     Sword (Mark 14:47):  This was the action of Peter (John 18:10)

2.     Self (Mark 14:48-49)

a.     Their style (manner or fashion in taking Him) of arrest (Mark 14:48-49a)

b.    The scriptures were fulfilled (Mark 14:49b)

 

C.   Deserted (Mark 14:50-52)

1.     The disciples in general (Mark 14:50)

2.     The disciple specifically (Mark 14:51-52)

3.     LESSON:  Go back to Mark 14:37-41a.

a.     Jesus had warned His disciples, saying:  Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

b.    Yet, three times He found them sleeping.

c.    If they had prayed, could they have withstood the temptation to flee?  Could prayer have brought the courage to stay?

 

III.       THE TRIAL (Mark 14:53-65)

 

A.   This was the first of several trials that Jesus would face (Mark 14:53).

 

And they led Jesus away to the high priest:  and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

 

1.     This was an illegal trial for several reasons.  One, it was held at night.

2.     It shows the extent of the “craft” used by the Jews to “put him to death” (Mark 14:1).

 

B.    False witnesses could not be found that could agree (Mark 14:55-59).

 

C.   The charge against Jesus was blasphemy (Mark 14:60-64).

1.     The Question:  Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

2.     The Affirmation:  I am.

3.     The Accusation:  Ye have heard the blasphemy.

4.     The Condemnation:  And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

5.     NOTE:  Keep this charge in mind.  Soon Jesus will stand before the Roman governor Pilate.

a.     Will this charge hold?

b.    Will this be the charge against the Christ at that time?

 

D.   Here we see how evil men operate against those whom they envy and fear:  ignore, isolate, indict, and incinerate.

 

IV.        DENIAL (Mark 14:66-72)

 

A.   Peter fled, then he followed the action at a distance (Mark 14:54).

 

B.    Three times Peter was confronted about having been one of the disciples of Christ.

1.     One of the maids of the high priest:  And thou was with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied… (Mark 14:66-68)

2.     Another maid:  This is one of them.  And he denied it again (Mark 14:69-70a).

3.     Others:  Surely thou art one of them:  for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.  But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man of whom ye speak (Mark 14:70b-71).

 

C.   Once the three denials took place, the cock crew the second time.  Jesus’ words had come to pass (Mark 14:30). 

1.     Peter had met Satan face to face and lost the battle.

2.     His heart, however, was good.

a.     Mark 14:72b

 

And when he thought thereon, he wept.

 

b.    Following the Lord’s resurrection, Jesus and Peter came together about this matter.  He was asked three times by the Lord:  “Peter, lovest thou me more than these?” (John 21:15-17).

 

D.   Most of us will never deny the Lord with our words.  However, our actions often denote a denial of Him.

1.     Let us profess that we know Him.

2.     Let us live before others so they know that we know Him.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   After Jesus’ prayer, He was ready to face all that came with the crucifixion.

 

B.    The next chapter is going to highlight that awful, yet, awesome event.