“Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me; but this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures.” And they all left Him and fled” (Mark 14:49-50).
This is the way of the world. Afraid to confront in public, clandestine means are used to bring about a controlled result. What was it about Jesus teaching that made them so mad? He introduced nothing new in morality or the law; but called for all to follow the Lord’s commands. What is different is who He is, not only what He said. Those who sought His condemnation condemned Him for who He claimed to be, not what He said or did.
Lord, You are the Creator of all things. All power and authority belong to You. In rebellion, we want to control what we want to control. Therein, we violate the first commandment by not trusting You above all things. Whether in small measure or large, this is the problem of sin. You have come to free us to live in the truth. Help us to hear Your voice and live in the truth that You alone are the Sovereign One.
Lord Jesus, You willingly went with those who condemned You. I who deserve it was replaced by You who did not. You have taken my punishment so that I could take on Your life and live as life is meant to be lived. In all of the ways I live, help me to not betray You, but live according to the model You gave me with Your own life. Lead me to always live in the grace You have given me. Amen.
