Mark 14 DEVO: The Journey to the Cross is Painful

Chapter 14:
In this chapter we read of the events that led up to the crucifixion of Jesus. As we read it and take it in, we gain an ever-increasing thankfulness for what Jesus went through for us! Here is how the events lined up:
• Jesus Anointed – A lady dumps a really expensive jar of perfume on Jesus and everyone watching sees it as a waste. Not Jesus, He is honored so much that He states, “wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
• Jesus’ Last Meal with the 12 – Gotta’ love the instructions Jesus gives about the dinner place! But as Jesus reveals “one of you will betray me” they are all sickened and each begin to wonder if it is them! Judas was soon to turn on Him. Jesus’ main concern – remember Me!
• Peter’s Pride – He thought he was better than other people who would ditch Him!
• The REAL Lord’s Prayer – Jesus gets away with his closest buddies to pray about the upcoming events because He knows He will need His Father’s strength. He is disappointed to find that His closest buddies couldn’t even stay awake to pray at His most crucial moment.
• Judas the Betrayer - He now hands Jesus over to be arrested. It’s one thing to have a friend turn on you, it’s another to have them attempt to be intimate while doing it. The kiss of Judas had to be terribly painful for Jesus!
• An Unfair Trial – “Some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: Yet even then their testimony did not agree.” The only thing they could accuse Jesus of was His claim that He was God – which He was and is!
• Peter Disowns Jesus – Just like Jesus told him, Peter ditches Jesus. Jesus is always right and Peter realized it “and he broke down and wept.”
SO WHAT?!
*What are you willing to give as a love offering to God? This lady poured out on Jesus the equivalent of a years wages. What about you? What are you lovingly willing to sacrifice for Jesus? Kind David said, “I will not give to the Lord that which costs me nothing.” How about you? How about me?
*Ever had a friend turn their back on you? If you have, you know the shock and the pain it brings. No one knew that more than Jesus and we can learn a lot from how He continued to treat that person. Jesus loved Judas and continued to show him mercy & grace until the very end. Oh Lord, only through YOU can we do the same to those who hurt us most!