After being betrayed by one of His disciples, Jesus was arrested and put on trial. His crime? Claiming to be the Son of God. He was tried first by the high priest, who wanted Jesus to defend Himself against His accusers. But Jesus stayed silent.
Meanwhile, Peter hovered around, waiting to see what would happen. Afraid for his own life, and not wanting to be connected to Jesus, Peter repeatedly denied knowing Him.
When Jesus was tried before Pilate, He was again pressed to defend Himself, but to no effect. Then there were the soldiers who mocked and humiliated Jesus. Can’t you just picture them, egging each other on and casting lots for His clothing? And even still, Jesus refused to go on the defense (vv.16–20).
At the end of His life, in excruciating pain, Jesus cried out to His Father (Mark 15:37). A centurion saw the way Jesus died, and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (v.39). For those who still doubted, perhaps the darkened sky and torn curtain within the temple forced them to look again (vv.33, 37).
Jesus was a real man who walked this earth. His rejection was real. He felt the pain of separation from God the Father. He took on our shame and punishment so we don’t have to carry it anymore. And He did this with meekness and humility, surrendering His earthly reputation for His eternal purpose (Hebrews 12:2).
In revisiting Jesus’s death, we can learn a lot about how we ought to live. I’m reminded that becoming more like Jesus isn’t about being impressive, attractive, popular, or rich. We don’t have to be loud, boastful, or universally liked. Our Savior sure wasn’t. Scripture says it was envy that made the chief priests hate Jesus; they were jealous of His power and influence (v.10). Pilate listened to them because he longed to please the crowd and protect his own image and position before Rome.
So often we’re like those priests, the soldiers, Peter, and Pilate; we seek to protect our image and reputation at the expense of boldly knowing Jesus. Living this way is in direct opposition to the message and power of the cross.
Jesus, help us let go of worrying about how we’re perceived by others. Give us a hunger to know You and the power of Your resurrection. Help us reject what this world deems important and teach us to follow humbly after Your example instead.
“Ye need not weep because Christ died one-tenth so much as because your sins rendered it necessary that he should die. You need not weep over the crucifixion, but weep over your transgression, for your sins nailed the Redeemer to the accursed tree. To weep over a dying Savior is to lament the remedy; it were wiser to bewail the disease.” (Spurgeon)
It always amazes me that God so often works in ways that we don’t expect or understand. The chief priests and scribes mock Him and tel him to come down and save Himself, but Christ’s power is displayed by staying on the cross. His victory over sin and death comes through His death. May I never lose the wonder of the cross!
On this day it is good to ask myself if I, like Peter, am following Jesus “at a distance” (Mark 14: 54). What makes me hesitate to identify myself as “having been with Jesus, the Nazarene”(Mark 14:67)? What prevents me from admitting I am “one of them”(Mark 14:70)? I do not wish to fall for someone’s baiting me but neither do I wish to be silent out of fear of ridicule. The reason behind my occasional lack of witness is worth pondering. And resolving. Lord Jesus, forgive me. Let my loyalty to You be unwavering. Let me surrender all to You. Especially uncomfortable conversations with unbelieving family members. Amen.
I do my best not to worry about what others think of me because it’s more importantly what Jesus thinks of me (and you) and I know He loves me (and You) just the way I am (you are). And if anything when people are looking at me I want them to know that I love Jesus. And trust me just working with people I have to make sure I exercise this. The last few days I’ve had to do this. It was hard not to get defensive but mainly I want them to know that my self-control comes from Christ alone.
Heidi your words are exactly what I was trying to say. I feel the same way. And Tina…your words bring me to tears. Thank you
I can’t help but wonder this morning if the chief priests and scribes in Mark 15:31-32 knew that Jesus was indeed capable of doing the things they were mocking him for. It just feels like the attitude of a bully who is scared and insecure…Pilate even knew they wanted Jesus dead because of envy.
And yet, Jesus endures silently for the joy set before Him, patiently waiting for the Father’s plan to be fulfilled, waiting to show his power at the appropriate time, in perfect fulfillment of the Scriptures. What a powerful and wonderful and loving God we serve. I pray He cultivates a similar spirit in me.
Sunday is coming, sisters! Praise the Lord!
Tina, I agree. The angst and deep prayer Jesus felt on Maundy Thursday in the Garden of Gethsemane and the Crucifixion on “Good” Friday lay very heavy with me as well. It is like a depression falls over me that stays until Sunday. Thank you Lord for the suffering you did for the sins I commit/repent. That you would suffer years before I was even born just to save me from me.
I don’t seek to protect my reputation, but I feel that I will be looked as a fraud. I didn’t always live a Godly life. I didn’t get to really know and understand the Bible until my 30’s. Then a horrible incident happened and I turned away. My roots have not been deep. I regret that so very much. I want deep roots. I love the Lord! So thankful He doesn’t walk away as I did. I’m so thankful for the forgiveness we receive through Jesus.