“We have been with Jesus and the disciples now for nearly fourteen chapters. They have been his constant companions since he called the first of them back in chapter one. Every story we’ve looked at has involved them. They understand. They don’t understand. They confess. They believe. They forget to bring bread. They fail to act in faith. They marvel. They are afraid. They rebuke Jesus. They ask him questions. They forsake all to follow him.
They are there, on the inside with Jesus, every step of the way. The crowd gets a parable. The disciples get an explanation of the parable. The crowd gets fed. The disciples get a lesson and a challenge. Many of the miracles Jesus does he does for their sakes alone. He is teaching them, preparing them, strengthening them, being patient with them, promising them, warning them. For them he calms the storm. For them he walks on water. For them he takes a child into his arms and says, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” “The first shall be last, the last shall be first,” all of this has been for the disciples. They have been with him in every story, every step of the way, from the Sea of Galilee where he found them in chapter one, to right here in an olive grove just outside the city gates of Jerusalem. Jesus and the disciples. Jesus and the disciples.
And now all of that is about to change.
Now the disciples will fade into the background. Now Jesus will face the end alone. But he has prepared them for this, or tried to. He’s been telling them since chapter eight what is going to happen to him. And now the time has come. Jesus has resigned himself to the will of the Father completely. The chessboard has been set, the pieces are all in place. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him.”
Click here: Mark 14:43-52 - Jesus Betrayed and Arrested
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