Today’s scripture: Mark 14:41-52 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Cheryl Stonestreet):
I have read this passage a few times in my life and I’ve always wondered why verses 51 and 52 were included with this story. Here we have one of the most serious confrontations in the life of Jesus, and it is followed by an aside about a young man running away naked! Is this some sort of universal comic relief?
I have pondered this for some time. What is this about? After more consideration and prayer, I realized this small byplay might be a metaphor for the truth revealed; everyone was left exposed.
- In earlier passages, Peter, James, and John saw how distressed and agitated Jesus had become that night, yet still could not stay awake. Jesus even called Peter by his given name of Simon, not Peter — his rock. They were exposed for their human frailty.
- Judas, the most obvious of all, was exposed for his betrayal.
- The chief priests, scribes, and elders were exposed for their hypocrisy. “Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me…”
- The people in the angry mob were exposed for allowing themselves to be misguided. Someone had to stir them up. They didn’t just gather randomly one night with swords and clubs.
All of them deserted and fled, each left exposed to their own failings while Jesus exposed himself saying, “. . .let the scriptures be fulfilled.”
In my lifetime I have allowed my human frailties to get in the way of doing the right thing. I’ve fallen asleep at the wheel. I have said things about people and written tangent emails that were hurtful. I have been a hypocrite, saying one thing and acting another way. And I have had moments in my life where I have taken on a mob mentality, and I’ve not thought things out for myself.
Thankfully we have God’s grace and forgiveness to start anew when we blunder and when we become exposed. Jesus made that possible by boldly going through with his tragic destiny.
Prayer for the day: When I have become exposed by my own misdeeds, I thank you for giving me the chance to start over again. Help me to be more like Jesus and to walk boldly toward what is right, your will for me.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.