Betrayed, Arrested, Denied – Mark 14
Mark 14:27-28, "And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee."
In this chapter the Lord Jesus was betrayed by Judas, he was arrested, and he was denied by Peter.
The Lord knew these things would happen before they happened. He prophesied about the betrayal of Judas and the denial by Peter. He told them he would be taken, that he would die, and that he would rise again. He told them he would go before them into Galilee.
They did not believe him. Judas did not think that what he did was betrayal at that moment. Peter did not believe he would deny Jesus. None of them believed the Lord Jesus would die. None believed that he would rise again and go before them into Galilee. Yet everything the Lord Jesus said would happen did happen just like he said it would.
God's word is filled with prophecy about what is happening in our world around us at this moment. The Bible is filled with prophecy about the rapture of the church, the seven years of tribulation, the rise of the man of sin, the second coming of Jesus Christ. When people believe in God's word they can see these things taking shape in the world all around us.
The disciples knew that something sorrowful was happening. They saw the Lord Jesus mourn in the garden of Gethsemane. A supernatural weariness came upon them and they were unable to keep their eyes open while the Lord Jesus walked through this final trial by himself. The Lord Jesus urged them to watch and pray.
This scene in the garden of Gethsemane is replaying again today in the church. There are incredible prophecies coming to pass in our time and yet for the most part the church is asleep. They do not see what is happening right now. The Lord Jesus urges us to watch and to pray. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
The religious leaders were determined to kill the Lord Jesus. His trial did not prove that the Lord Jesus was guilty of anything but what he always said. He was the Son of God. For this statement the religious leaders said he was a blasphemer and worthy of death. However, the Lord Jesus did not blaspheme. He told them the truth. He told them exactly what would happen. For this they were ready to kill him. Instead of believing in God's word they followed the work of the devil and allowed murder to enter their hearts. The story of Cain and Abel is repeated over and over.
The same is always true. When men do not believe in God their hearts are filled with the work of the devil.
John 8:37-38, "I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father."
John 8:44-47, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."
Do not be a follower of self, sin, the world, and the devil. Instead, humble yourself, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. Throw away your opinions and seek the Lord while he may be found. Let us call upon the Lord while he is near. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. (1 Peter 5:6, Luke 9:23, Isaiah 55:6, Romans 10:13).
