Mark 14:1 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him.
“Isn’t that just like Jesus.”
Our small group was studying Mark 14, the scripture leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. As we talked about the twelve disciples, someone made the comment, “Isn’t that just like Jesus to surround himself with the likes of fishermen and tax collectors?” He didn’t seek the famous or connected, but common people.
Isn’t that just like Jesus. A passing remark that struck a deep chord and stayed with me during the whole study.
When Mary of Bethany poured the costly perfume on Jesus, the disciples rebuked her. “Why are you wasting money that could go to the poor?” they scolded. But Jesus saw the whole picture. She was preparing him for his approaching burial. He came to her defense and told them to leave her alone. She was doing a “beautiful thing” (Mark 14:6).
And I thought…. isn’t that just like Jesus. He still comes to the defense of those who love him, and it is still a beautiful thing.
When Judas led the crowd of chief priests and scribes to the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus, the Lord didn’t resist. But Peter did. Peter whipped out his sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest’s servant (Luke 22:51). His action indicated more than the loss of an appendage. Everyone who worked in the Temple had to be physically perfect. Any deformity disqualified them from their position. So the servant would live the rest of his life disgraced, permanently removed from service. But in his last miracle before the cross, Jesus healed the servant’s bleeding ear.
And I thought…. isn’t that just like Jesus. He still restores our dignity and stops the bleeding in disgraced lives.
After Jesus’ arrest, all the disciples deserted him (Mark 14:50). Of course, he knew they would. He knew Judas would betray him for a few pieces of silver. He knew Peter’s bold declaration of undying love would turn into bold declarations of denial. Yet he loved them to the end. He gave himself in death so they, and all who believe, could have life.
And I’m thinking…. isn’t that just like Jesus.