THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 14:53-59
“Looking for evidence against Jesus so they could put him to death.” (Mark 14:55)
Here we see Jesus’ enemies trying to make up a case against Him.
They know they hate Him, they just need a solid reason to kill Him.
The sad thing is that these people are the religious leaders.
Shouldn’t religious leaders speak for truth, justice, honesty, compassion, goodness?
Sadly, through history religious leaders have often used power for the opposite.
This is part of the sin-messed world that God has to save us from.
We look to leaders in politics, business or religion, etc. for good leadership.
Instead (with few exceptions) we get greed, scandal, abuse of office, dishonesty.
Jesus is the exception: honesty, integrity, compassion, truth, justice, mercy.
Here is a leader we can look up to, a leader we can count on.
Though they try to stop Him, not even death can beat Him.
As we will see, this kind of leader comes out on top in the end!
I want to follow a leader like this. to be a Jesus follower!
And I want to be a leader like this… with His help!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, as a leader I am humbled and ashamed at how we as leaders mess up God’s world, and hurt so many people. I need You as my leader, and I need You to help me be a leader like You!
The disciples had taken flight when Jesus was arrested yet Peter came back and followed at a distance. John was also there at the cross. Peter sat in with the wrong crowd and did not stand up when many testified against Jesus. And I? Where do I stand. Am I a witness of the cross?
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follow’r of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord;
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith’s discerning eye.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of vict’ry through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.