Mark 14:43-52 - The Arrest of Christ

We’re diving into Mark 14:43-52, where chaos erupts in Gethsemane as Jesus is arrested. Amid betrayal, misunderstanding, and fleeing disciples, we see the truth of who Christ is—Lord and God, not just a teacher or criminal. We’ll explore God’s sovereignty orchestrating every moment and confront the weakness of believers who falter under pressure. Join me as we unpack this pivotal moment leading to the cross, digging into God’s Word to find clarity and hope. Let’s look to Jesus, our true hope!

Transcript

102 - Mark 14:43-52 - The Arrest of Christ

Intro

• Please take your Bibles and turn with me to Mark 14 and find verse 43.
  • Today we turn our attention once more to Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane but today we do not find Him praying…
  • The text we come to finds Him arrested, carried away, the disciples scattered, and chaos ensuing. 
  • Our text will leave us with a dark foreshadowing of what was to come to Him upon the cross.
• Yet even in the midst of that chaos and darkness we see a calm savior who is simply yielding to His captors and submitting Himself to the plan that predated Creation itself.
  • In our text today we will examine three points as we learn about…
    • The Truth of Christ…
    • The Sovereignty of God… AND
    • The Weakness of Believers…
  • Let us read out text and open in prayer.

Mark 14:43-52

• Let us keep in mind the context…
  • At this point we are mere hours away from the cross, it will not be long at all before Jesus is tried, condemned, beaten, and crucified.  
  • The next set of verses place Him before the Jewish ruling Council, then at the start of Mark 15 He stands before Pilate where He is condemned to die.
• Yet in all this we find that Isaiah 53 is again a good Old Testament picture of what we find happening…
  • Isaiah 53:7 - “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”
  • Though He could have called to His aid a myriad of angles, though He could have simply spoken a Word and stopped the whole thing…
    • Yet He did not and instead embraced the Cross for the sake of the church. 
  • In our first point we will be reminded that there was much speculation and misunderstanding to who Christ was and is, but we will be reminded of… 

The Truth of Christ

• There are many things out of place across our verses today, allow me to point out to you all of the ways in which those around Christ misunderstood Him.
  • First, notice who approaches alongside Judas in verse 43…
    • “...a crowd with swords and clubs…”
      • They are approaching Jesus as if He was a violent criminal surrounded by an army.
        • Is this consistent with how He lived?
          • Absolutely not…
          • Instead, throughout His life and ministry we find Him caring for people, feeding the masses, teaching in the Temple and the synagogues.
          • Never once do we find Him rallying an army or trying to overthrow the current political system.
        • The most violent thing we find Him doing is overturning the tables in the Temple.
          • Even in this He acted alone and not as one who was a dangerous criminal but as one who was zealous for the House of the Lord.
        • This was so out of place to who Jesus was that He even  pointed out this inconsistency in our text in verse 48, look again, He asks…
          •   Vs. 48b
      • In other words Jesus is pointing out that they have no need to come against Him with force.
    • This was not the only misunderstanding in our text though…
  • Second, notice how Judas addresses our Lord…
    • Vs. 45
    • Judas addressed Jesus as Rabbi, as a teacher…
      • Though He was a teacher, the  Master Teacher, He was much more…
      • Judas should have known this after walking with Him for three years.
        • What mere teacher could calm the waters with a rebuke?
          • Then later walk upon the sea as walking on dry land?
        • What teacher could call a dead man from the tomb?
        • What teacher could cleanse a leaper with a touch and yet remain clean?
        • What teacher also possessed complete authority over the demons that plagued the people?
      • Judas as much as anyone should have known Jesus to be more than a mere man.
    • Yet here we find part of the issue that led to Judas’ betrayal, he did not believe Jesus to be God in the flesh.
      • Just so there is no doubt in this, and just so we recognize that this was not a slip of the tongue for Judas please turn with me to Matthew 26 and find verse 21.
      • In Matthew 26:21 we turn back the clock a few hours to the Last Supper.
    • The verses we are jumping into provide a subtle but clear example of what we are talking about with Judas.
      • Let us begin reading together…
        • Matthew 26:21-22
          • The apostles begin to ask Jesus one at a time…
            • “Is it I, Lord?”
            • You can almost hear the sorrow in their question…
          • More than that though, consider how they address Jesus, they address Him as Lord.
            • A title that points to Him having supreme authority.
            • It is this word that is also used in Romans 10:9, you know that verse…
              • Romans 10:9 - “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
          • It is the heartbeat of our confession, that we believe that Jesus is Lord and God.
        • The Apostles were testifying to that in Matthew 26…
      • Now, keep looking with me at Matthew because there is a subtle shift in the next few verses, jump down to verse 24.
        • Matthew 26:24-25
          • Did you catch it?
            • Judas does not address Him as Lord, he addressed Jesus as “Rabbi”, as teacher.
          • Now, there is much speculation about Judas, much discussion about his intentions, even over the years people trying to defend him.
        • However, the main problem that Judas faced was that he viewed Jesus as a teacher and nothing more.
      • He had a small view of Christ and it showed in his actions.
    • Let’s turn back to Mark 14…
  • Keep in mind we are talking about how those around Christ misunderstood Him or believed Him to be someone other than who He was…
    • Was He a violent criminal?
    • Was He a simple Jewish teacher?
    • Or, was He something more?
• Let us consider now the truth of who Christ really is, scripture is clear, He is Lord and God, He is the second person of God-Head who came in the flesh to redeem a people for Himself.
  • We see Him again and again possessing the power that only God possesses.
    • The fact is that if He had not wanted to go with these men there would not have been enough people in all the world to force Him upon the Cross.
    • The fact is that Jesus, though a teacher, was something far greater, He is the Lord and worthy of our complete devotion.
  • This is not just something to consider about our verses, it is not just something interesting that we see playing out in our text, but is also something for us to consider and wrestle with today.
    • The most important thing in your life is how you view Jesus, it matters greatly.
    • Perhaps these two examples in our verses represent extreme views but the fact is…
      • If we see Jesus as less than He truly is, we will live in a way that falls short of what He deserves.
        • Let me say that again…
      • If we see Jesus as less than He truly is, we will live in a way that falls short of what He deserves.
        • And He deserves nothing short of our total and complete devotion.
        • He gets to call the shots in our lives, in our families, in our churches, He is worthy of it all.
  • Before you dismiss this consideration and simply say you are living for Christ, please remember that though…
    • Judas walked with Him and witnessed amazing miracles…
    • He was a part of the 12 apostles, he preached alongside the rest, he was even the keeper of the money bag… 
  • Yet somehow…
• Judas missed it, the religious leaders missed it, do not miss it today.
  • He is either worthy of everything or He is not worthy of any of it.
    • Let me continue on by saying, half-hearted devotion makes no sense.
  • If you believe Him to be Lord, and believe that He died in your place upon the cross bearing your sins…
    • And then you go on to live as the world lives while simply giving Him a nod once or twice a week…
      • I have to tell you that you are living inconsistent with the message of the Gospel.
    • The Gospel of Christ is not some nice story you responded to once and then move on from…
      • It is not something that should just occupy your mind once a week…
      • It is the only hope you have into eternity.
    • Please grab onto this as if you are hearing for the first time…
      • If it were not for the atoning death of Jesus you would have to bear your own sins before the Father.
  • If He really died in your place and rose again in victory then what else is worthy of your time and effort?
    • For Judas it was money, for the religious leaders it was power and authority…
      • Although for many of us I fear it can be something of even far less meaning.
      • How often we give ourselves over to comfort and entertainment in our day.
      • At least Judas gave up Jesus for monetary gain, we often pass on the Savior to keep from being uncomfortable. 
    • Brothers and sisters we must grapple with the fact that Christ is either Lord in our lives or He is not.
  • I urge you to consider this, consider the truth of Christ and whether or not your life is in subjection to Him and Him alone.
• Before we move on to our next point…
  • C.S. Lewis considered what we are talking about as he penned The Weight of Glory, allow me to share this quote from him today. 
  • “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
    • Consider your life and ask yourself, what am I living for?
    • Better yet, I urge you to turn that into a prayer…
      • For if you go to God in honest prayer He will certainly reveal to you if you are living for something other than Christ.
• Now, let us switch and consider how in these verses we again see…

The Sovereignty of God

• Though Judas betrayed Jesus, though the religious leaders sought His life, though this mob desired to violently take Him…
  • None of it occurred apart from the Sovereignty of Almighty God.
    • Is this not what Jesus is claiming in verse 49, read it again with me…
    • Vs. 49 - Emphasis on “...But let the scriptures be fulfilled.”
  • Jesus calmly and patiently points out that all that is transpiring is happening according to the Will of the Father.
• These men that sought His life were mere instruments in the hand of God.
  • I like how J.C. Ryle puts it, he says of these men that arrested Jesus that they were, “unconscious instruments in carrying God’s purposes into effect.”
    • That is not to say they were guiltless in the matter but that God used their wickedness in the plan of Redemption that has existed from the beginning.
  • It is a testament to the plan and purpose of God being carried just as His Word has testified.
    • I have told you that we will continue to be reminded of this as we inch closer to the cross.
    • God is directing every moment of this just as He desired.
  • Therefore, let us consider…
    • If our God showed Himself to be sovereign throughout His Word…
    • Is he any less sovereign today?
• Of course not, instead what we see is that God has directed our salvation through Christ and He is likewise directing the nations even today.
  • And not just the nations but even our day to day life…
    • Let us not consider that our God has for some reason stepped away from His glorious plan and purpose.
    • Instead let us realize that He is indeed both Lord and God and directing history even today.
  • I pray this is a great comfort for you, that you know that the One who sent His Son to die in your place is still directing history today.
    • We could again consider the words of J.C. Ryle…
    • “Let us rest our souls on the thought, that all around us is ordered and overruled by God’s almighty wisdom.”
      • He continues unfolding how understanding this can play out in our lives…
    • “The course of this world may often be contrary to our wishes. The position of the Church may often be very, unlike what we desire. The wickedness of worldly men, and the inconsistencies of believers, may often afflict our souls.”
      • I will continue the quote in just a moment, but how many of those things are true for you?
        • Does the world often go against your wishes?
        • Does the church not stand up to what you desire?
        • Do you feel the weight of wickedness around you?
        • Have you ever experienced inconsistencies among believers?
      • These things are real and weigh us down, and if that becomes our focus then we also may be found in an unpleasant state.
        • However, remember what we are talking about and observing, that our God is Sovereign over all these things as well as other things that are not mentioned.
      • Pastor Ryle finishes out this thought after considering all these things that can stand against us he once again turns his attention to God’s sovereignty. 
      • He continues…
    • “But there is a hand above us, moving the vast machine of this universe, and making all things work together for His glory.”
• This is not some fantasy idea that he used to simply make himself feel better, no friend this is rock solid biblical truth that we find in His Word…
  • Romans 8:28 - “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
  • In this I would ask you to consider the horrors of the cross of Christ.
    • As you think of Jesus hanging upon the cross, suffering under the wrath of God for sins not His own.
      • Yet God took that terribly dark day and brought about salvation for man.
      • He turned the worst of circumstances around to bring about the best outcome imaginable.
    • Is He any less able to do the same for us today?
  • If the perfect Lamb of God perishing upon the cross can mean the salvation of man then do not think that your situation, that is discouraging you, is any less able to bring Glory to the Father. 
• I urge you as we consider the sovereignty of our God today to rest upon that, to lean into that, and take comfort in the fact that our God rules and reigns even now.  
  • Now let us turn our attention to the final point of our text today…

The Weakness of Believers

• This weakness can be observed in three ways across our verses…
  • First, we see it in Peter’s response who decides to take it upon himself to fight off the surrounding crowd.
    • Vs. 47
      • We know this is Peter from John’s Gospel and we know that Jesus in turn healed this servant.
      • However we still find Peter responding with force to be a sign of self reliance…
        • Which is really a weakness when considering who he is with.
    • He is with the one that in the past has simply walked through crowds that have tried to kill Him.
      • Luke 4:29-30 - “And they rose up and drove [Jesus] out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.”
      • It is as we have already talked about, there is no amount of people able to withstand the Son of God if He is unwilling to go with them.
    • Peter, in our text, is relying upon himself and trying to force what he thinks should be happening.
      • Well it is a good thing that believers today never try to do anything like that, right?
        • We never try to rely upon our own wisdom and strength to accomplish what we think needs to happen, right?
      • Church, how often can we be found fighting against the purpose of God because we are relying on what we want to happen.
        • Let me remind you that one of the worst things we can do is fight against what our Lord desires for us.
        • Unfortunately this problem we see Peter struggling with is one that is present even today.
      • This is a weakness because it causes us to think much of ourselves.
    • The reality, Peter could have no more changed the course of this than he could have shifted the moon in the sky.
  • Second, we see the weakness of believers in how they flee from Christ…
    • Vs. 50
      • It is just as Christ spoke to them earlier in this chapter, look back up with me to verse 27.
    • Vs. 27
      • Flee they did, as they turned from the one they had followed to save their own skin.
    • This response is also one that is not uncommon to people today, to deny Christ to turn from Him when we find it inconvenient.
      • Perhaps we are surrounded by those who mock Christianity so we choose to keep our allegiance hidden.
      • Perhaps we are found in a situation where it would cause us to be uncomfortable to align with Christ.
      • For some believers it is more than just being uncomfortable but it can be dangerous for others to know that they follow Christ.  
        • This is the case across Nigeria today, where we learned this week that 50 of our Christian brothers and sisters were killed for their trust in Christ.
        • This comes just a little bit more than a month after learning of the death of 200 of our brothers and sisters also in Nigeria.
      • Considering that, do you think the temptation might be to conceal your faith?
    • That is what is happening in these verses and we must consider that it can be a weakness in us as well.
  • Then, third, our final two verses illustrate for us another weakness of believers.
    • Vs. 51-52
      • There is much speculation about these two verses…
        • Some, actually many, believe this to be a young John Mark, who was also the author of this Gospel.
          • Which is why he would know about this account and why it is not recorded in any of the other Gospel accounts.
        • Though some also believe this to be a younger brother of Jesus, some the rich young ruler, or others think it to be an unknown man who was either from the house in which the passover was celebrated or in the garden where they prayed.
      • There is no clear answer, however, that does not mean these verses are without a lesson for us today.
    • What is represented in these two verses is a man whose shame is completely uncovered by his fleeing from the Savior.
      • What we find is this man would rather escape naked than be associated with Jesus.
      • He represents the complete abandon of the followers of Jesus at this time.
      • Covered in nothing but shame he fled into the darkness of night, too ashamed for his name to even be written in this account.  
    • This weakness is much like the second, fleeing from Christ for our own benefit and gain.
      • Not wanting to be associated with Him or be known for our time spent with the Savior.
      • A tragic thing but again one that can be found common to man.
• The lesson for us across this point is found in a quote again from Pastor Ryle…
  • He writes…
    • “Let us learn from the flight of these eleven disciples, not to be over confident in our own strength. The fear of man does indeed bring a snare. We never know what we may do, if we are tempted, or to what extent our faith may give way. Let us be clothed with humility.”
    • In other words let us be confident in not ourselves but in our Savior.
  • I urge you to look to Him today.

Closing

• As we close I know passages like this can possibly be challenging, we have covered much ground and considered many things.
  • However, I rest in the fact that our God is able to sanctify us by His Word…
    • He is able to bring conviction on things in our lives that should convict us and encourage in the same manor.
  • So I urge you to yield yourself to Christ, consider what we have discussed and submit yourself to the Savior.
• The last thing I will say is that the altar is open and I will be down front if you need to respond in some way.
  • Let’s pray.