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Showing posts from August, 2017

Sentenced

Mark 15:1-15 1 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2  And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3  And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4  And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5  But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. 6  Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7  And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. 8  And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9  And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10  For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11  But t

The Power of Fear

Mark 14:66–72 66  And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67  and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68  But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. 69  And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70  But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71  But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” 72  And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. As the numerous trials of Jesus are taking place, Peter is in the background, watching all

But He Remained Silent

Mark 14:53-65 53  And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. 54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. 55  Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56  For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57  And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58  “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59  Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 60  And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 61  But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Chri

The Generous Spirit

Psalm 112 1 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. 5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. 6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. 7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. 9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor. 10 The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish! With the righteo

Arrest

Mark 14:43–52 43  And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44  Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45  And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 46  And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47  But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48  And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49  Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50  And they all left him and fled. 51  And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52  but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked. As Je

Painful Obedience

Mark 14:32–42   32  And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33  And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34  And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35  And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36  And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37  And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39  And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40  And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41  And he