What Jesus Did

[During Jesus' trial,] the leading priests kept accusing him of many crimes, and Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer them? What about all these charges they are bringing against you?" But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate's surprise.

—Mark 15:3-5 NLT

Key Thought​

Once again, as Old Testament Scripture had promised (Isaiah 53:7), Jesus does not try to defend himself. He is silent. Pilate is surprised at such silence. Why would Jesus not defend himself? Because the...

 

Very early in the morning the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law — the entire high council — met to discuss their next step. They bound Jesus, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.
Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

Jesus replied, "You have said it."


—Mark 15:1-2 NLT

Key Thought​

What follows is another sham trial and another travesty of justice. Jesus was condemned to die by the Jewish high council and the...

 

But Peter denied [being with Jesus] again.
A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, "You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean."

Peter swore, "A curse on me if I'm lying — I don't know this man you're talking about!" And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.

Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he broke down and wept.


—Mark 14:70-72...

 

When the servant girl saw [Peter] standing [outside while Jesus was being abused by the guards], she began telling the others, "This man is definitely one of them!" But Peter denied it again.
A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, "You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean."


—Mark 14:69-70 NLT

Key Thought​

Galileans were not very well liked by many in Jerusalem. They had a bit of a different accent. Galilee was known as Galilee of the...

 

Then [Jesus] returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Couldn't you watch with me even one hour?"

—Mark 14:37 NLT

Key Thought​

How this situation must have hurt the Lord. My heart breaks for Jesus as he endures this time in Gethsemane. He knows he is going to the cross. He knows Judas will betray him. He knows his closest followers will abandon him. He knows that Peter will deny him. He knows the other ten will run away and leave him alone...

 

But Peter denied [having been with Jesus]. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.

—Mark 14:68 NLT

Key Thought​

Peter denies the Lord, just as Jesus had warned him that he would, but this is only the first denial. On cue, the rooster crows as if God is trying to stir Peter's soul to a new-found fortitude or to remind him of his failure that has just begun to unfold. As the verses that follow show (Mark...

 

[When the guards took Jesus away], Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, "You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth."

—Mark 14:66-67 NLT

Key Thought​

Peter needs to warm his soul, but the fire can warm only his body. The chill that Peter faces is the kind of chill that descends on those who are profoundly disappointed, confused, and...

 

[After the high council said that Jesus deserved to die,] some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. "Prophesy to us," they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.

—Mark 14:65 NLT

Key Thought​

I never cease to be amazed at the thoughtless cruelty that human beings can inflict on each other. No wonder that we human beings need a Savior who bears our insults, our violence, our injustice, and our humiliation...

 

[When Jesus said, "I AM,"] the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, "Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?"
"Guilty!" they all cried. "He deserves to die!"


—Mark 14:63-64 NLT

Key Thought​

When Jesus said, "I AM," he declared that he is God (Mark 14:62; Exodus 3:14). Jesus now comes to us and demands a decision. He offers us the body of his work, his life here on earth, and his resurrection as the...

 

Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, "Well, aren't you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?" But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?"
Jesus said, "I Am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven."


—Mark 14:60-62 NLT

Key Thought​

Jesus' only response — and it is...