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Facing Denial and On Trial
4/3/07
Mark 14:66-72 and 15:1-20
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2014:66-15:20;&version=31;
Have you ever denied knowing someone because of what others might think or you were too embarrassed to say that you associated with them? Maybe you have been rejected by a person you thought was your friend, but they turned against you, without giving you an explanation. We all go through broken relationships at some point in our lives and it is never easy. Keep all this in mind as we look at this passage.
To set the scene, Jesus has been arrested and now Peter is in the courtyard. Three different times various people recognize that Peter was one of the followers of Jesus, but each time his denial gets more intense. By the third time, he is really getting upset and starts cursing. Then the rooster crows for the second time and he remembers what Jesus had said. Then he broke down and wept.
Meanwhile Jesus is on trial. Pilate asks Jesus if He is the King of the Jews, to which Jesus said He was. The chief priests were making all kinds of accusations against Jesus. So Pilate asked Him, “Aren’t you going to answer?” But Jesus remained silent. Then we are told Pilate was amazed. I am sure he could not understand how Jesus did not want to answer the charges against Him. There was a custom at the Feast that the people could have a prisoner released. So Pilate let the people have their say. They asked for Barabbas to be released. Notice how Pilate puts this next question, “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" (emphasis added) The people shouted, “Crucify him!” Then Pilate says, “Why? What crime has he committed?” But the people made the same plea again and even louder. We see that Pilate really believed that Jesus was innocent. But, remember, this was all part of God’s plan. So to please the crowd, Pilate did as they asked. He sent Jesus to be flogged and crucified.
Look at what the soldiers did to Him. They put a purple robe on Him, placed a crown of thorns on his head, mocked and spit on Him, and struck Him on the head with a staff. Then they put His own clothes back on Him and led Him out to be crucified.
In closing, take some time to reflect on all the humiliation Jesus went through, as well as the denial by Peter. Then check back in a few days for additional blog entries as we continue to reflect together on the crucifixion and the resurrection. Until then, always remember that God loves you!
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