Taken by Love. Mark 14:46. “And they laid their hands on Him, and took Him.” A woman came, captured by love for her Savior; her heart and hands full - to give without reservation from a soul warm, mind filled with His truth, and mouth closed. There was no talk from her; there was deeper communication in her actions so loud all were affected. There was no mistaking what she gave and what she meant; that was worship without reservation. All the spikenard was poured out; nothing was for herself or others. She knew what He said was coming!
Judas, with covetous eyes and mind bent over the bag never full enough, was never satisfied. He was fair game for darker powers with smooth, deceiving, and Satan-inspired words. His hands were with fingers bent to grasp. Furtive actions and quiet steps had him captured by his covetous self. Critical words and clammy greed captured his soul. He came into Gethsemane with steps that were now bold because of others. Puckered lips; darkness descending into his soul deeper than night; lips that likely burn still are silent forever – in hell! Jesus said of him, the “son of perdition, he was a devil!
The lamb’s leg, herbs, flatbread, and wine were reminders of the horrible and blessed past. A furnished room was full of memories of firstborn deaths, night travel, and freedom! Remembering the water ahead, fear inside, and rushing sounds of battle behind all would have moved through the minds of those gathered. The innocent personal lamb was the chosen victim whose blood indicated freedom from the bitterness of slavery and cleansing from sin – joy! Quiet songs of redemption in the room. The story was likely told by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Passover and is in this very place!
Something new, simple, and profound in the same room after supper but filled with new thoughts. I am not looking back or around now, but I am looking ahead. Faith moves forward in great leaps. A new nation, new people, and a new kingdom! A new Body, and we are a part of it. Can it be that such unity will last forever? Joy? Yes, but sorrow is deep and has mixed emotions. Dark crimson in a cup reminder of death and life both given, and blessed and mine to have – forever! “Remember Me!”
Olive trees, old witnesses from His creative hand with branches bent low, leaves quiet in night stillness except for sounds of sleep, weariness, and culture shock. Then His footsteps came nearer, stopping, some quiet murmurs, slowing words, and gathering sleep. There are solitary steps, going further in the darkness, then stopping, knees bending, face lowering, sounds of sorrow deep, strong crying and tears. Crimson sweat, repeated words, heavy heart as the Savior bows to the Father’s will, to our need, to His story, to prophecy, to love’s demands - the Son of Man is betrayed!
The feet flee, the fear is deep, and the hearts are confused. The night of the soul drops hard as the “lostness” overwhelms the souls of men. “We thought it was this time He would redeem…” A sword, an ear, feeble attempts at manliness, and then a miracle, all but overlooked. Men are lying all around on the darkened ground. But still, there was no power, courage, strength, or Spirit! All that was needed was at a far-seeing distance, but not there, not that night. The distance is that of dark from light. He’s alone!
Arrogance and haughty eyes with down-turned mouths. Lips that lie and shifty eyes with faces red and dark. And beards long and perfect, overtopped with little boxes. Their eyes will not focus on The Object. Moving hands without the stillness of peace. Shuffling feet in agitation, looking for a place of rest. Embarrassment covers the movements of souls that are dark and disturbed. Self-righteous tones that cannot overcome the night and then sounds of tearing, never heard before. Mouths filled with water looking for release and that the covered Face of the Great “I AM!”
The first sound of morning speaks loudly. Hands rubbing to get warm by a cold fire. Some have fun at the expense of others. There was no way to warm the deep darkness of hasty words. A creeping coldness down the throat goes deeper to the place where the heart, nerves, and emotions cross their paths to form a knot. It grows until words again spoken fast makes the knot become stone in the soul. Then, an early morning sound comes again. The bitter tears roll hot and heavy down the world-cold face: the heart is broken! The Lord looks!
“I am shaken in my soul by how quickly things can happen, Father. It seems unreal that all this happened within hours. Can the love that was inherent in Him ever capture me? He kept on track without deviation. In spite of all that happens and no matter how quickly, give me the faith to keep on love’s track. In His glorious name, Amen.”
MARK 15 The Gospel, as recorded by Mark, is a crisp, precise recording of events without many explanations. He wrote about giving, by the Spirit's direction, an account of incidents without referring to fulfilled prophecies or human interests. For a person searching for truth, the comment by those mocking priests and scribes, "that we may see and believe," resonates with the purpose of the Gospel.
In this chapter of Mark’s Gospel, we read about a wide variety of people involved in Jesus's crucifixion. There were both Jews and Gentiles. There were religious people like priests, and there were common people there. There were rulers and soldiers, passers-by, and criminals/thieves. All those people became united in their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ. When a position that is supposed to be of high standards of justice and equity is corrupted, nothing really compares to the depths of abhorrence we feel towards those who hold that position. This was evident in both the religious and civil trials of Jesus.