Read Mark 14:43-52
Do I Follow Jesus Or Not?
After Jesus said that his betrayer is coming, Judas Iscariot appears with a crowd of people armed with swords and clubs. They were sent by the religious leaders: the chief priest, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Judas immediately went to Jesus and kissed him and called him “rabbi,” an intimate word. Judas told the crowd that the person he kisses is Jesus and they should arrest and take him away.
When the people arrested Jesus, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest’s servant. Jesus rebuked the crowd for how they were arresting him but said, this was necessary to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy giving evidence of him being the Messiah.
Everyone deserted Jesus and fled except a young man wearing a linen garment following Jesus from a distance. When the crowd seized him, he fled naked, leaving His garment behind.
1. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and had him arrested and taken away. He was paid 30 shekels of silver for doing so. At what cost are we willing to sell our soul over to the devil? Is there anything standing between you and your relationship with Jesus?
2. The religious leaders made sure they sent a lot of people to arrest Jesus. It says a crowd but some feel it could be as many as 200 to 600 people. The religious leaders wanted Jesus out of their lives. There was too much in the world that captivated them. They loved the praise and recognition of the people. James 4:4 says that friendship with the world makes one an enemy of God. Our spiritual lives shouldn’t be about getting people focused on ourselves but rather helping get people focused on Christ. We need to role model that for others and don’t let the things of this world interfere with our walk with Christ.
3. Peter was quick to protect Jesus until fear took over. Fear of what might happen to them influenced all the disciples to run away leaving Jesus behind. There was one man who stayed back a little while following Jesus, but when the crowd grabbed him by his outer garment, he fled naked leaving the garment behind. Fear of what might happen to them caused them to run away.
Are you quick to abandon God because of your love for the things of the world? Does fear of persecution or of the unknown affect your commitment and investment in your relationship with the Lord? The first thing to disappear when one quits pursuing Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength is their time in God’s word followed by their time with Christian fellowship. I pray we are all faithful to the end.
