“Then
ALL the disciples forsook Him and fled.” Matthew
26:56
___________________________________________________________________________________
Eloi
Eloi lama Sabachthani {My God My God why
have you forsaken me}…
Sabachthani means to heal the world. I believe
God gave Jesus the answer before He spoke those words. God forsook Jesus in order to heal the
world.
Let’s
go back a few hours to learn more about Jesus’ last day before being thrown to
the wolves {Pharisee’s, Sadducees’,
Scribes, elders
[of the Sanhedrin],
and a crowd of people who did not believe in Jesus}.
Jesus
knew the time had come that He would be betrayed and left to fend for Himself.
He knew ahead of time that every last one of His disciples would flee for their
lives when it came right down to it; after all they were only human.
Before
passing judgment on the disciples; think about how terrifying it must have been
to know the man you have been following all these years was about to be
scrutinized by the “RELIGIOUS” leaders over all
the church affairs of your time. To
know that you had gone against everything you were ever taught by these
men before JESUS stepped onto the scene
would have filled you with so much fear that you too would have ran.
Anyone alive today that says they would have stuck by Jesus is a LIAR. Surely
reading the story of Christ Jesus’ suffering and death will bring tears to the
eyes of those today who chose to follow Him even though you have never seen nor
walked with Him.
Getting
back to the hours before Jesus was betrayed let us read how Jesus broke the
news to His beloved disciples about His upcoming demise.
When it was evening, He came with the twelve [disciples]. While they were reclining at the table, Jesus said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” They began to be grieved and deeply distressed and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” And He replied, “It is one of the twelve [disciples], one who is dipping bread in the bowl with Me.For the Son of Man must go [to the cross] just as it is written [in Scripture] 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 not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it [giving thanks and praise], and He broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take it. This is My body.” And when He had taken a cup [of wine] and 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, [My blood] which is being poured out for many [for the forgiveness of sins]. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” After they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away [and be ashamed and be afraid to be associated with Me as disciples], because it is written, ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised [from the dead], I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” But Peter said to Him, “Even if they all fall away [and desert You, ashamed and afraid of being associated with You], yet I will not [do so]!” Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you will deny [that you even know] Me three times.” But Peter kept saying insistently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing as well. Mark 14:17-31
Stop for a moment and let that soak deep into your spirit. The man whom you have put all your faith and time in for years just told you that you would FORSAKE HIM even to the point of being ashamed and afraid to be associated with Him. How do you think that would have made you feel? Would you have spoken up like all the disciples and say there is no way you would ever betray JESUS?
Then they went to a
place called Gethsemane; and Jesus said to His disciples, “Sit down here until I have prayed.” He took Peter and James and John with
Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled [extremely anguished at
the prospect of what was to come]. And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved and overwhelmed with sorrow, to the
point of death; remain here and keep watch.”After going a little farther, He fell to
the ground [distressed by the weight of His spiritual burden] and began to pray that if it were
possible [in the Father’s will], the hour [of suffering and death for the sins
of mankind] might pass from Him. He was saying, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for You; take this
cup [of judgment] away from Me; but not what I will, but
what You will.” And He came back and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Were you unable
to keep watch for one hour? Keep [actively] watching and praying so that you do not
come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” He
went away again and prayed, saying the same words. And again He came back and found them
sleeping, because their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know how to
answer Him. He came back a third time and said to them,
“Are
you still sleeping and resting? Enough [of that]! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man
is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get
up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is near!” Mark 14:32-42
And at once, while
He was still speaking, Judas [Iscariot], one of the twelve [disciples], came
up, and with
him a crowd of men with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders [of
the Sanhedrin]. Now the betrayer had given them a signal, saying,
“Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away safely [under
guard].” When Judas came, immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi
(Master)!” and he kissed Him [forcefully]. They laid hands on Him and seized
Him. But one of the bystanders [Simon Peter] drew his sword and struck [Malchus]
the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords
and clubs to arrest Me, as you would
against a robber? Day
after day I was with you, teaching in the [courts and porches of the] temple, and you did not seize
Me; but this has happened so
that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.”Then all of His disciples abandoned Him and fled. A young man was following
Him, wearing [only] a linen sheet over his
naked body; and some men seized
him. But pulling free of the linen sheet, he escaped [from them] naked. Mark 14:43-52
A few important things from this passage of Scripture, Mark 14:43-52 that are note worthy.
When it was evening, He came with the twelve [disciples]. While they were reclining at the table, Jesus said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” They began to be grieved and deeply distressed and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” And He replied, “It is one of the twelve [disciples], one who is dipping bread in the bowl with Me.For the Son of Man must go [to the cross] just as it is written [in Scripture] 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 not been born.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it [giving thanks and praise], and He broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take it. This is My body.” And when He had taken a cup [of wine] and 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, [My blood] which is being poured out for many [for the forgiveness of sins]. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” After they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away [and be ashamed and be afraid to be associated with Me as disciples], because it is written, ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised [from the dead], I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” But Peter said to Him, “Even if they all fall away [and desert You, ashamed and afraid of being associated with You], yet I will not [do so]!” Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you will deny [that you even know] Me three times.” But Peter kept saying insistently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing as well. Mark 14:17-31
Stop for a moment and let that soak deep into your spirit. The man whom you have put all your faith and time in for years just told you that you would FORSAKE HIM even to the point of being ashamed and afraid to be associated with Him. How do you think that would have made you feel? Would you have spoken up like all the disciples and say there is no way you would ever betray JESUS?
Human
nature being fallen, it is easy for us to overestimate our own goodness and
faithfulness. We assume that we will be ready to stand for Christ in the day of
trial, believing that even if everyone else were to fall away, we would remain
committed disciples. Too often, we assume that we are more virtuous and better
equipped to remain on the narrow path than our neighbors are.
Once
at the Mount of Olives in the garden called Gethsemane Jesus asked His
disciples to wait and watch for Him {because He knew the one named Judas would
soon be there to betray Him} while He went further into the garden to pray. He
only took Peter, James and John deeper into the garden with Him.
The
three disciples Jesus trusted to keep watch; because He knew Judas was coming
with a band of men carrying swords to arrest Him and carry Him to His final judgment here on earth before they
slaughtered Him and Crucified Him, ultimately let Jesus down
not once, not twice but three times. They were already showing their
weak human side which proved what Jesus had just told them as they were
approaching the Mount of Olives Mark
14:27;
Matthew
26:31.
As
the disciples regrouped Judas came to where they were gathered with a band of
men sent on behalf of the “Church” {Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, and the
elders {of the Sanhedrin}. Let’s take a moment to read how this shakedown went
down.
A few important things from this passage of Scripture, Mark 14:43-52 that are note worthy.
1. It was the leaders of the Church
{Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Chief Priest, and the elders [of the Sanhedrin]
who orchestrated this HATE GROUP against JESUS.
2. The leaders of the Church were so scared of
Jesus they sent people armed to arrest Jesus.
3. Judas’ Kiss was the ultimate betrayal
between that disciple and Jesus.
4. Out of a need to protect his Savior and
friend, Simon Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of [Malchus] the slave
of the high priest.
5. Jesus once again PROVED to that crowd of
men that His compassion for mankind was real and that His POWER to heal was for
anyone. Even while being arrested Jesus still had compassion.
6. The disciples indeed fled in fear just like
they were told would happen.
7. A man wearing only a linen sheet over his
naked body was caught following them. When some of the men seized him he was
able to escape by pulling free from the linen sheet, therefore running a way
naked into the night.
There are speculations that the young man
following them {naked except for the linen sheet wrapped around him Mark 14:51-52} could have been John Mark {the same Mark}
who actually wrote the Book of Mark. { If the Passover meal had been held in
the house of Mark’s father, Judas and the crowd may have looked for Jesus there
before going to Gethsemane. Mark, being awakened by the crowd, could have
followed them to the garden wearing only what he slept in.}.
Since the Scriptures were written not only to reveal truths about God
but about ourselves, we dare not think that it would be impossible for us to
show similar cowardice and faithlessness. Sound biblical interpretation means
asking ourselves not how we are better than the sinners we read about in the
Bible but how we are apt to be like them. When we do that, we will remember that
we have no strength in ourselves to follow Jesus and that we must look to Him
alone to sustain our faithfulness.
This point is brought home by the intriguing story in today’s passage
about the young man who fled the scene of Jesus’ arrest when the soldiers
seized him by the cloth he was wearing (vv. 51–52). Could it be that Mark leaves the man nameless so that we might see
him as representing the possible choice any of us might make if our faith were
to be tested?
Coram Deo
is a Latin phrase translated "in the presence of God" from Christian
theology which summarizes the idea of Christians living in the presence of,
under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God.
Certainly there
was a real young man who actually fled the arrest of Jesus, leaving his clothes
behind. That he was a real historical person, however, does not take away from
the fact that we can see in him a warning to us. The temptation to flee our
Christian profession is strong when there is a real cost to our obedience, and
if we trust in ourselves, we will fail. Let us ask the Lord for the strength
and grace to persevere under trial.
Things begin to move rather rapidly
after Jesus’s arrest. He was taken to the court to be judged unfairly by a
group of men who have HATED Him from the beginning of His ministry.
That next day Jesus stood there ALL ALONE, because most of the disciples had already fled back to their homes while denying there ever knew Jesus.
That next day Jesus stood there ALL ALONE, because most of the disciples had already fled back to their homes while denying there ever knew Jesus.
They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) gathered together. Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers [guards and servants] and warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the entire Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) were trying to obtain testimony against Jesus [which they could use] to have Him [condemned and] executed, but they were not finding any. Many [people] were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimonies were not consistent. Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple (sanctuary) that was made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. The high priest stood up and came forward and asked Jesus, “Have You no answer to give [in response] to what these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent and gave no answer at all. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am; and you will [all] see the Son of Man seated [with authority] at the right hand of Power (the Father), and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Then tearing his robe [to express his indignation], the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy [that is, His claim to be the Son of God]. What is your decision?” And they all condemned Him to be [guilty and] deserving of death. And some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy [by telling us who hit you]!” Then the officers took custody of Him and struck him in the face.
Peter’s Denials
While Peter was down below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came, and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, “You were with Jesus the Nazarene, too.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” Then he went out [of the courtyard] to the porch, [and a rooster crowed.] The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to tell the bystanders, “This [man] is one of them.” But again he denied it. After a little while, the bystanders again said to Peter, “You are in fact one of them, for [it is clear from your accent, that] you are a Galilean, too.” But he began to invoke a curse [on himself] and to swear [an oath], “I do not know this man you are talking about!”Immediately a rooster crowed the second time. And Peter remembered what Jesus said to him: “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And thinking of this, he began weeping [in anguish].Most Pastors who stand before you week after week conveniently leave out the part of Jesus’ journey when He was CONDEMNED by the CHURCH and the CHURCH PEOPLE BEAT HIM, SPIT on HIM, MOCKED HIM and even DENIED HIM. They teach you that JESUS was CONDEMNED to death by PILOT when the RELIGIOUS MEN had already condemned Him. The RELIGIOUS MEN took advantage of a “TRADITION” among the people of that time to have a prisoner released during the Passover. It was the RELIGIOUS people who stirred up the crowd that lonely day for JESUS to have PILOT release a known CRIMINAL instead of JESUS.
Year after year growing up in the Evangelical “PENTECOSTAL” Church I was taught that it was the wicked leader of the country that put Jesus on the cross, when it was all along the sins of mankind that put Jesus on the cross. It was the RELIGIOUS “Holy” men who condemned JESUS, it was the Disciples who abandoned Him in His time of need, it was the people who mocked Him and denied Him, and most of ALL it was the SIN of EVERY HUMAN on this planet then, now and in the future that NAILED HIM to the CROSS.
Take a moment to imagine how much hurt and anguish our Savior was feeling as He witnessed everyone He loved TURN AGAINST HIM leaving Him to fend off ALL the HATE coming from the CHURCH who claimed to love His Father and ours. Listen if you will to the crowds screaming “CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM”. Picture if you will the people who BEAT HIM, SPIT ON HIM, WHIPPED HIM, MOCKED HIM and even DENIED they ever knew HIM. Can you picture what it must have looked like to see our SAVIOR hanging on that CROSS, bleeding and crying for EVERY SIN we have ever committed. Now picture if you will the GRACE and LOVE that flowed that day to EVERY man and woman who makes an effort to FOLLOW HIM now.
What anguish must have filled the Saviour as He saw His friends so
faithless! This was one bitter ingredient in His cup; but that cup is drained
dry; let me not put another drop in it. If I forsake my Lord, I shall crucify
Him afresh, and put Him to an open shame. Keep me, Holy Spirit, from an end so
shameful.
Human nature being fallen, it is easy for us to overestimate our own
goodness and faithfulness. We assume that we will be ready to stand for Christ
in the day of trial, believing that even if everyone else were to fall away, we
would remain committed disciples. Too often, we assume that we are more
virtuous and better equipped to remain on the narrow path than our
neighbors are.
Ironically, such confidence may reveal that we will be among the first to flee our Christian FAITH when the going gets tough. After all, if we are confident that we will stand because we believe we have some kind of inherent strength that other professing Christians do not, then we are trusting in the shakiest of foundations. The disciples learned this lesson on the night our Savior was betrayed. Surely none of the disciples (except Judas) considered himself to be the betrayer who the Lord said would turn away from Him.
“Then ALL the disciples
forsook Him and fled.” Matthew 26:56
Take
sometime today and the days going forward to examine your heart and your daily
actions to see where you really stand as a FOLLOWER of JESUS CHRIST. Ask
yourself the following questions:
1.
Am
I really committed to JESUS CHRIST?
2.
Is
my life reflective of the Love and Grace JESUS CHRIST gives each of those who
decided to FOLLOW HIM?
3.
Will
I have the strength to STAND AGAINST the RELIGIOUS MEN and WOMEN who refuse to
teach the TRUTH of GOD’S WORD when all
they want to teach is FLUFFY SERMONS to make you feel good about yourself?
4.
Will
you continue to CRUCIFY JESUS CHRIST afresh so you can revel in your sins?
We could make a list so long it
would take years to answer all the questions. All we need to do is recognize
our sins, repent of those sins, and walk in the Holy Spirit so we show the
world, including the RELIGIOUS men and women who are caught up in laws and
traditions, that FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST is the BEST WAY to live your life.
I
will leave you with a list of Scriptures to study to teach you how much GOD
loves you and wants you to be successful in your journey living through His Son
Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Forever
in Christ Jesus service,
Scriptures for encouragement
Leviticus 26 – Penalties of Disobedience and Sin
Psalm 27:10 – Even if your parents abandon you the Lord will take you as His
adopted children
Psalm 37:25 – Righteous never forsaken
Isaiah 53:3 – Despised and rejected by men
Psalm 22:1 – Jesus last words were a cry of anguish
Isaiah 54:7 - God abandons the Israelites then has
compassion and mercy on them bringing them back to Himself
Lamentations 1:16 – Being left alone without
the comforter brings sorrow to the soul
Judges 10:13 – Abandoning or rejecting God to serve
other gods takes you out from under the protection of God
2 Timothy 4:16-17 – The Lord God will stand
with you through the trials in your life even when those friends and family
desert you giving you the strength and power to get through
Jeremiah 2:13 – Abandoning God to have your own way
Job 8:20 – God will never reject a man of integrity and He will never support
evildoers
Psalm 94:14 – God will not abandon His people who are doing His will
Psalm 16 – The Lord is our portion in life and deliverer in death
Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous for it the Lord
your God that will be with and not abandon you in your time of need
Hebrews 13:5 – Your character {your moral essence, your inner nature should be free
from the love of money}
Romans 11:1 – God does not reject and disown His children
Psalm 9:10 – God does not abandon those who seek Him
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 – The pressures of life will not destroy
you because Jesus is always with you
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