Devotional and Reflection Questions: Christ My Coming King (Mark 14:53-62)

Christ My Coming King


Mark 14:53-62 states, “They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another,  not made with hands.’ ” Yet even then their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus.  “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”


     There is no question that Jesus Christ was crucified for claiming to be God.  This is a crime the Jewish temple called blasphemy.  Its penalty was a public crucifixion.  Accused of this crime, they took him to the officials in the temple.  The crowds gathered to watch.  Jesus had done well in the last three years to protect himself from the people who sought to take his life.  Christ confused their efforts until the appointed time.  He even taught through parables to avoid issues.  Now people were giving testimonies against him.  Some statements agreed, and others did not.  Some were completely fabricated lies.  One person even remembered that Jesus had said he would tear down this temple and rebuild it in three days. It sounded criminal; its meaning had  not yet been revealed even to the disciples. None of what occurred in this trial was unexpected, and Jesus willingly submitted to the authorities.  At first, he remained silent, but when the appointed time came, he clearly stated who he claimed to be.  He was bold and unashamed as he submitted to willing sacrifice and glorification of the Father.  In contrast, Peter hid and feared men.  He feared the physical more than he trusted the heavenly.  His faith was not strong enough yet to stand for truth.  The first time the High Priest asked Jesus to defend himself, he said nothing.  Jesus did not need to defend himself because he had already willingly submitted to the Father and become a willing sacrifice.  Isaiah 53:7 says, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”  Jesus did this to fulfill this scripture.  The second time the high priest asked, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”  This time, Jesus answered.  He replied, not in defense but in truth.  He phrased his reply, clearly saying, “I am.”  I am meant only one thing.  This is the phrase that was given to Moses when he asked God who should shall I tell the Israelites sent me.  God said, “I am.”  The Hebrew people knew that I am referred only to the God who is, who was, and will always be, the Alpha and the Omega.  That phrase exclusively used to identify God.  In His statement, Jesus equated himself with God.  In doing so, he willingly went as a lamb to the slaughter.  He knew the consequences, he feared them, yet he submitted to God.

     Jesus’s final statement shows that the lamb who is walking to the slaughter today will not remain a lamb.  One day, he will return as a victorious conquering king.  Jesus is the fulfillment of all the writings of the Torah and the Prophets.  He is the fulfillment of hope for all of mankind.  Jesus equates himself to God and states that all authority over sin and death has been given to him.  The right hand is a reference to the authority.  A king’s scepter is always placed in his right hand.  So God, in His infinite omniscience, knew this was to occur and chose to redeem man this way regardless of the cost.  Jesus said that one day they will recognize him as having been who he claimed to be, the Son of God.  He also stated that one day they will all witness the triumphant return of the king riding on the clouds.  This time, all the inhabitants of the earth would bow and acknowledge Him as king.

Reflection Questions

1)      One what charge did the Sanhedrin arrest Jesus?

2)      Why did Jesus remain silent for the first question yet answer the second one?

3)      What did Jesus say about


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