No Greater Love

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

NO GREATER LOVE

Mark 15:21-24

21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

NIV

The time has come, after all sort of ridicule, having been beaten to within an inch of his life, being filled with bruises, racked with pain, bleeding from multiply cuts from the whip, having had not an ounce of nourishment since his last meal with his disciples, now bearing the weight of a heavy cross, he makes his way to his death. His physical struggle is so great a by-stander is force into service to the cross the remaining distance. This is not a pretty picture to image, Jesus is but a physical shadow of his former self, when he taught the people, healed them, brought great hope of things to come. Although what is about to happen brings the greatest hope of all, his followers were certainly in great sorrow, mourning what they expected was a great loss to their cause, their hopes, and dreams of a better time, mourning the loss of their beloved leader, the one who was to set them free. But, indeed he was about to do just that, he was about to set them free indeed. The soldiers offered those who were to be crucified a drink of wine mixed with myrrh, which would have deaden the pain of crucifixion, almost like a drug, deadening the senses, making a person dulled to what was going on around them. Jesus refused as he wanted to experience this with his full facilities for he still had work to be done. He must look after the future care of his mother, he must demonstrate his deity once more, by committing his spirit upon his Father, and he must fulfill his purpose. Although the sense was filled with horrible images, pain, suffering, cries of sorrow and grief mixed with the indifference of the soldiers and appearance joy of success by the chief priest, elders and teachers of the law, this scene, this event is the most blessed thing God could have ever done for all of his creation. Through this event he was satisfying his own need for justice. How could we ever forget what was done for us? Of course we know this is not the end of the story, but for now we should mediate on how great a love Jesus had for us, that he should suffer and die in the most inhuman manner as this, so that our sin would be forgiven. What greater love has no man, then to lay his life down for others. 

Without Consequence

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE

Mark 15:16-20

16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

NIV

This is certainly the most horrific acts man could ever commit upon another man. It is almost unconceivable that man is capable of such cruelty, yet the record reflects this capacity lies within the human soul. These soldiers were not among the criminally insane or members of a street gang. They were disciplined Roman soldiers train in the art of battle. It does seem that in those days mankind in general was a little more barbaric then how we live today so perhaps this sort of behavior on the part of the soldiers was more the norm than the unusual, nevertheless is was cruel. God certainly sent Jesus to die for our sins, but he may not have intended for these soldiers to treat Jesus in this manner. This may well have been man acting on his own bad behavior knowing there was no consequence to pay for such evil intent. It might be a mistake for us to ignore this capacity which lies within heart of mankind, which would include ourselves. Surely we would not do that kind of evil against another, for one we have the laws of the land which prohibit such actions and being responsible citizens we abide by the law. Certainly we would never behave in such a manner against our Lord whom we loved with all our heart, our mind, our soul and our strength.  But we might be capable of thoughts against another, even hidden thoughts that no one else knows. Certainly our thoughts of feeling against another do not compare in any manner to the evil behavior of those soldiers. However, it would be good for us to be aware of what could lie within us. Surely we would never fall on our knees and pay homage to Jesus in a mocking way, but would we attend church, acting all righteous and holy, join in the worship of Jesus while holding some kind of grudge, unforgiveness, bitterness, or some other ill feelings toward another? Are we mocking our faith, when are praising God, but not liking what they did to the Sanctuary? Are we mocking Jesus when we say we love him, but we have some kind of hard feelings toward someone? The soldier could do whatever they wanted to Jesus without fear of any consequence. Can we live with any ill thoughts or feelings toward another without consequence? 

Satisfying the Crowd

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

SATISFYING THE CROWD

Mark 15:6-15

6 Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 9 "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. 13 "Crucify him!" they shouted. 14 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

NIV

Again, we witness through the account a historic event, recorded so we might know how all things happened, but can we make an application to our lives from what we see here? The crowd had to have its way, even though Pilate could find no reason to put Jesus to death. Jesus had not broken any law against the Government of Rome. Jesus had done nothing for which the government should become involved. But the crowd must have it way. Sometime people do things, as in the case with Pilate, to satisfy the needs of the crowd. That might be our lesson for today, in that we should be aware of our motives for the things we do. Does peer pressure play any part in our actions? This could apply to signing up to be on a committee, facilitate a small group, become a Sunday school teacher, join the choir, or be a part of something, just to satisfy the needs of the crowd. Pilate could have stood his ground, been up front, and straight forward and told the people to go home, he was not going to make any judgment against Jesus because the truth was there was nothing to punish Jesus for, but he did not, he felt he had to satisfy the crowd. Many times we might do things which God has never called us to do, just so we can satisfy the needs of the crowd. We should be stand out ground, be up front and declare we are not called to that task, that ministry and simply be the person; doing only what God has called us to do. Pilate wanted to keep the piece, not to upset the apple cart. We do not know how large an army he had under his command, and if they could have overthrown a insurrection by the people, even if he was the commander of an occupying force, with the power of the entire Roman empire behind him. He still wanted to satisfy the crowd. We must make sure what we do is because God has called us to it, and not because we feel the need to satisfy the crowd. 

The King

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

THE KING

Mark 15:1-5

15:1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of." 5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

NIV

We are here at an historical event, not a teaching of Jesus which we can hang our hat on, yet there is truth here for us to gain insight. This is not a truth we are unfamiliar with but perhaps one we do not spend as much time as we should focused on. We first should notice these chief priests, elders and the teachers of the law, who know full well any man who blasphemes God is, should be stoned as in accordance with the Law that was given to them by God through Moses. We also know that because of the other gospel accounts there were attempts by the Jews to stone Jesus, but he slipped away. Now they actually have him in custody, bound and able to do with as they wish, they do not stone him for the offense they claim he has committed which is worthy of stoning. They take him to the government, hoping the Romans would do their dirty work, thus remaining in their self-righteous clothing. Even though we might learn that church affairs, disputes and the such be handled in the assembly and not taken to the government for settlement, the truth we should focus on is the question of Pilate and the response of Jesus. Jesus had told the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law that he was the Christ, the Messiah, which would mean nothing to an unbelieving government official. But when asked if he were the king of the Jews, he said, “Yes, it is as you say.” Jesus is in fact the king of the Jews, but he is also the King of kings, the Lord of lords, he is God in the flesh. Perhaps we have become way to familiar with the King of kings, the Lord of Lords, the one who is mighty and full of power, the one who will judge the Earth, the one who will come in all his glory and bring justice to all who have done evil in his sight. Even though Jesus told his disciples that he calls them friends, after he told them that no greater love in for a man to lay down his life for his friend, we should not forget he is also our King and as such he deserves our absolute honor, respect, allegiance, submission to his authority over our lives. Should we really claim friendship with a deity who created us? Isn’t that a little strange to be friends with the King of kings the Lord of lords? Yes, he laid down his life for us showing us the greatest love a man could have for a friend, but he did that as our King, as our Lord, as our Savior. He is the King!

I AM

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

I AM

Mark 14:61-65

Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."  63 The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. 64 "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.

NIV

Man is capable of the most gruesome of behaviors in the entire kingdom of God when faced with the truth which threatens their own self-centered life. One simple question, right to the point, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? And Jesus breaks his silent with the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, “I am”. Of course he does not leave it with that but also includes those men would see him again, but when they do he will be sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. Sitting on the right hand is the ultimate place of honor which they certainly could not stand for. They wanted to discredit him before the people as a false prophet, a false teacher, and here he tells them that God the father, the Mighty One, the Blessed One would sit him at his right hand, the highest honor anyone could ever have. This had to stop, and stop now, for is they let him go on their whole power structure over the people, their own self-righteousness, their own piety would be in danger. But the truth we should see in this horrific portion of the history of mankind and its relationship to Jesus is his answer, “I am”. What more evidence do we need? How many more witnesses do we need to hear from? How much more of scripture do we really need to know? Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One, God the father. The whole of scripture points us to this one truth. The whole of our life is based on this fact, Jesus is the Christ. In addition we live our lives based on the truth he spoke when he told them he would be sitting at the right hand of God and that we, mankind would see him again sitting there. We could only conclude that we, all of mankind, will be where ever he is, of course some will be cast out and some will be invited to stay. But this truth he spoke invoked so much anger in those who were threatened by him; they did unspeakable acts of brutality against him. Things have not changed much in our times. People, who violently oppose the truth of Jesus, do unspeakable acts against him, serving only their own self-centered passions. Man will always be man, but Jesus is the “I AM”. 

Consider This

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

CONSIDER THIS

Mark 14:55-61

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'" 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

NIV

It is amazing how so many will say whatever to get on the good side of the winning team. These witnesses gave false testimony against Jesus because he was no longer the great teacher, healer, driver out of demons and the one they were sure would overthrow both the Romans and the hard core religious leaders and now he is arrested and it looks like they have won the battle, so they side with the winners. But their testimonies do not agree with each other and they only look foolish in the eyes of the chief priest. He cannot use they testimony because it is evident it is false and unworthy of consideration in the case they are trying to build against Jesus in order to have him put to death. It is peculiar how so many will stay so much that conflicts with others when it comes to Jesus. Maybe that is why we have so many denominations today. Each have their own account of what Jesus said, or at least what they thought Jesus said, or how they interpret what Jesus said differing on what he meant by what he said. Some go so far as to imply that there is but only one correct English translation which denotes how he said it. When we actually think of it, how silly to take a theology position, or build our faith based on English that was spoken over two hundred years ago. Others build their faith on what some mere mortal who lived and died determined was the correct way to apply scripture. Still others base their faith on a disagreement with another over a minor word choice of a particular translation. Are we all in some way giving false witness against Jesus because what we say and believe do not agree, even if we think we are right and the rest are wrong, for it appears we all think we are right and the rest are wrong? With all our false testimonies about what Jesus meant by what he said, it is amazing how Jesus still remains silent. We have no clear indication who is really right and who is clearly wrong. We have no shining star over one denominational headquarters and God is not raining down fire on those who falsely teach or interpret what Jesus said. So we are left to ponder if all are statements that do not agree are worthy of consideration at all. What we should be seeing is what Jesus does answer. 

Following at a Distance

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

FOLLOWING AT A DISTANCE

Mark 14:53-54

53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

NIV

At least Peter followed him at a distance, surely far enough not to be noticed by the gang who arrested Jesus. Peter sort of melted into the crowd of people but he did follow all the way into the courtyard where the temple guards were. Farther in this whole account we do find other people there as well, those who asked Peter about his involvement with Jesus, so we can surmise he melted into the crowd, not wanting to get too close to Jesus, so that he too would be questioned, or possibly arrested. It is difficult to determine if Peter was following at a distant because of his love for Jesus for because of his fear for himself. We know from the whole of the account of Peter’s life, he did love Jesus more than his own life, but for now, before the infilling of the Spirit, he is still Peter the man who followed Jesus at a distance and who we will see does deny being involved with the Jesus movement. Perhaps the lesson we should see here is just what we see in the life of Peter. Without the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our lives we are simply people who follow Jesus at a distance, and cannot give a powerful testimony of our involvement in the Jesus movement, in fact by default we are denying our love for Jesus. If Peter experienced such a radical change in his witness for Jesus because of the infilling, or what some call the baptism, of the Spirit than we should be desire that same baptism. The question of course is if we are not a powerful witness for Jesus, if we are more like the Peter we now are seeing, following Jesus at a distant then we could assume we do not have the infilling of the Spirit in our lives. Sure, just as Peter we love Jesus, but also just like Peter we are not going to get too close perhaps out of fear for our own lives. Peter liked the life he has had for the past three years, being with Jesus, going out and sharing the message, healing people, driving out demons, being a part of the inner group when crowds gathered to hear Jesus teach. Peter must have felt pretty important, especially after being the one who proclaimed to Jesus that he was the Christ. Life was good, but it was now looking like it was all going to fall apart, so Peter stayed his distance and maybe that was because of the lack of the power of the Spirit in his life. We cannot afford to follow at a distance, we must be right there with Jesus all the way, giving a powerful testimony of our love for him, and the truth of the gospel message. The power of the Spirit, the infilling of the Spirit, the baptism of the Spirit is available to all of us, and we either are or are not filled to the brim with the Spirit, it is not a sort of, half way experience, we either are filled and full of power, or we are not filled and following at a distance.