Mark 14

In the evening He came with the twelve. Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.” And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭17‬-‭26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

These verses describe the famous “Last Supper.”  Many Christians commemorate this act today because Jesus said “…This is My body, which is given for you.  Do this to remember Me” (Luke 22:19).  For those of us that participate in communion, we need to make sure that we remember the meaning behind it and that we do not let it become just a meaningless ceremony.  When we partake of communion, we are remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, so that we could be forgiven of our sins, and our relationship with our heavenly Father could be re-established.  Communion also affirms our unity with Jesus.  We are confirming that He is our Lord and the source of our lives forever: “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me and I in him” (John 6:56).   Taking communion helps us to prepare for the future return of Jesus as well: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).   

Then they all forsook Him and fled. Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭50‬-‭52‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When faced with unexpected adversity, the disciples turned on Jesus and deserted Him.  One follower was so intent on getting away that he ran right out of his clothing and did not care that he had to run away naked.  Jesus could have easily resisted arrest and overpowered the guards that were sent to arrest Him.  He had the power to get away if He truly wanted to.  But He knew that the appointed time had come for Him to lay down His life: “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.  This command I received from My Father” (John 10:18).  In what ways, and for what reasons do we betray, desert or deny Jesus?  Thank God that He always forgives us for what we do in times of weakness.  

And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’” But not even then did their testimony agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭53‬-‭65‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There were multiple witnesses that gave false testimony against Jesus, but He said nothing in order to defend Himself.  This fulfilled a prophecy about the Messiah that was written by Isaiah, over 700 years earlier: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).  Being falsely accused is a terrible position to be in.  Most of us would become offended, hurt, angry, and end up shouting in order to have our side of the story heard.  Jesus had the wisdom to know that acting in this manner would not change the outcome.  Instead of allowing emotions to guide His actions, He chose to stay quiet.  This is yet another example of the sinless nature of Jesus.  “Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made Him share our sin in order that in union with Him we might share the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).