STATION 3

Jesus Tried By The Sanhedrin
Mark 14:53-65

Devotion:
Have you ever read this piece of scripture and wondered why Jesus didn’t just prove to those accusing him who he was and what he came to do? It seems like it would have been so much easier for all, including those of us who seek to follow Jesus today, if he had only said, “I am the Messiah, the anointed Son of God who has come to bring the eternal kingdom of God that will come not with an army, but through the changing of hearts. I will bring the kingdom through my death, to save the world, because I am the Messiah.” Yet Jesus didn’t say any of this. When we confess Jesus as Christ or Messiah, we are recognizing him as our Savior, but we are also declaring that he came to bring the kingdom of God. We are part of this kingdom, called to be involved and active and called to make it a reality for others. Our calling as followers of Jesus is to do the works of the kingdom, so that the reign of God is known in the world.

Reflection:
When you think of the kingdom of God are you thinking of something far off or something in the here and now? How are you being called to bring about the kingdom in the here and now? Think about your role in the kingdom of God here on the earth and how God is using you to bring that kingdom to those in need.

Prayer:
O Lord, the Jewish officials didn’t understand what it meant for you to be Messiah. Your own followers didn’t understand what it meant for you to be Messiah, so they scattered and hid in your hour of crisis. Help me to understand what it means when I confess you to be the Messiah, the Anointed Son of God. And may this confession lead me to a life of true discipleship. Let your kingdom come, Lord, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. And let this happen in my life, even today! Amen.