Mark 14:53-65 - Man’s Failure, Christ’s Success

In this episode, we’re diving into Mark 14:53-65, where Jesus faces a mock trial in the dead of night. We’ll unpack the injustice of the religious leaders’ deception, their desperate attempts to condemn the sinless Savior, and Peter’s heartbreaking denial. Yet, even in this darkness, we see God’s sovereign plan unfolding, pointing us to Christ’s unwavering strength. Join me as we explore the failure of man and the triumph of Jesus, our Messiah. Let’s dig into God’s Word and look to Jesus, our true hope!

Transcript

103 - Mark 14:53-65 - Man’s Failure, Christ’s Success

Intro

• If you have your Bibles please turn with me to Mark 14 and find verse 53.
  • We come to the initial trial of Jesus before the daybreak…
    • Actually, to be more accurate what happened across these verses seemed to happen in the dead of night.
  • If you will recall our previous verses you will find our Lord praying in the garden well into the night.
    • As He prayed, a mob fell upon Him and arrested Him…
      • In our verses we find that He is brought before the High Priest for nothing more than a mock trial.
    • The end had been determined, His true guilt was irrelevant, justice was not something that was sought but, instead they wanted His blood.
  • What we find in the dark of night is not justice being done but injustice prevailing, when we see what transpired across our text…
    • It is no wonder that this did not occur at noonday.
      • In the same way that evil is practiced in the dark so is it fitting that these proceedings take place in this way.
    • For if Jesus had been given a fair trial none would have found Him guilty of wrong, for He was without sin.
  • Yet even in this injustice we find the Sovereign Hand of God working in the midst of this darkness to bring about His Glorious Plan and Purpose.
• Today as we examine this text we will turn our attention to the people within these verses and draw lessons today from what we find.
  • So let us turn our attention to the Word of God and open in prayer.

Mark 14:53-65

• Mere hours from the cross, in the dead of night Jesus is found accused and condemned before the religious rulers of His day.  
  • Though tensions have been rising now for some time everything is now going to be progressing quickly from this point forward.
    • After this mock trial Jesus is delivered over to the Roman authorities and within just a few verses He is condemned to die.
  • By the time we get to Mark 15:24 we will find Him upon the cross.
• I point this out just to keep our verses in context with what is about to happen.
  • So let us examine these verses beginning with our first point…

Deception in the Darkness - (Vs.53, 55-59, 65)

• What we just read in these verses was anything but fair, nothing was done right…
  • Though we know this, we may not know just how much injustice was done without understanding some of the practices of the day.  
  • This group had such hatred for Jesus that they violated their own rules, on several fronts, to condemn Him to death.
• One commentary pointed out these violations and it would do us well to take them into consideration today.
  • First, and most obvious even to us today, they were not to make judgments at night…
    • This is basic, right?
      • What reason would there be to make a judgment in the dead of night?
      • What crime is so heinous that it should not be tried during the day?
    • The fact is that because they did this under the cover of night their own sins were exposed.
    • They, at this point and even prior to now, did not desire what was right…
      • They did not want justice, they did not truly consider whether or not Jesus was the Messiah.
      • They concerned themselves with one thing, maintaining power, and they were willing to do whatever necessary to maintain their powerful position.
    • Yet even in this I consider the Words of King Solomon that he wrote in the book of Proverbs.
      • Proverbs 21:1 - “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”
      • Even though they sought their own way it did not disrupt the plan of God but worked right into His Glorious Will.
  • The second fault of this group was that their judgments were not to be made outside of the sacred chamber in the temple…
    • We find in our text that they are not where judgments were to be rendered.
      • To say it differently…
      • They are not doing this when they should, or where they should.
    • Again, this points to the injustice of this whole proceeding, nothing is done in a way that is meant to produce a just outcome.
    • The end had already been decided, they had planned to put Jesus to death.
      • Now, from their perspective, nothing was going to stand in their way.
  • The third clear violation of this group was that a capital offense was not to be ruled upon during the Passover… 
    • Remember previously in our text they had decided to pursue Jesus but not until after the feast.
      • Look back at verse 1 of Mark 14.
        • Mark 14:1-2
      • Though they feared the people, though it was against their own governing guidelines to pursue the life of an offender during this time…
        • For Jesus, they made an exception.
    • Which again points to why they made this ruling in the dead of night in a place that was atypical.
• Beyond their violations of their own guidelines we also find other deceptions taking place within this mock trial.
  • We cannot overlook the fact that they did not have enough evidence to put Him to death.
    • Look again at verse 55 as Mark tells us plainly at the end of that verse.
      • Vs. 55 - “Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none.”
    • What were they to do at this point, they do not have the witnesses they need?
      • Well it seems they manufactured witnesses, in verses 56-58 we are told about the witnesses that do testify against Him.
      • However, even in this we do not find agreement, look again at verse 59.
        • Vs. 59
    • So they turned from hoping to find two witnesses who agreed and turned to Jesus Himself.
  • We will not talk about His response at this time, we will do that in just a few minutes, but how clearly we see just how twisted this whole charade.
• False witnesses twisting Jesus’ words to try and manufacture a crime, a trial in dead of night at a place where decisions were not supposed to be made. 
  • Everything about this moment screams injustice, it reveals the wickedness of man and shows just how far men will go for the sake of their own agenda.
    • Church, we would be fools to think that this is somehow a unique moment to human history.
      • Is not history scattered with unjust people doing unjust things, putting people to death that do not deserve it, simply because their power dynamic was threatened?
      • We could simply consider the reformers who strived to place the Word of God in the hands of the people of God.
    • Those who were in control at the time did not want the common people reading the scriptures.
      • They desired it to be left in a language that only the people they educated could read.
        • In this way they were able to, for a time, maintain control of the people. 
      • This was the desire, but God worked through Godly men to place the scripture into the language of the people.
        • Many of the men who worked toward this effort paid for this with their own lives.
  • Again, injustice for the sake of control is not isolated to this moment in our text…
    • But throughout human history, and until our Lord returns, deeds will continue to be done in the dark.
• This simply testifies to the darkness of the heart of mankind for which there exists only one remedy and that is faith in the sacrifice of the savior.
  • These verses remind us of the great need of man to be redeemed.
  • We see this also in a similar way as we turn to our second point the…

Decision that led to Disaster - (Vs. 54, 66-72)

• Not only are we told about how the trial unfolds in our verses we find that someone followed, read again with me verse 54.
  • Vs. 54
• Peter, the rock as named by Christ, decides…
  • After cutting off a servant's ear, after being rebuked by Christ, after fleeing when Jesus was arrested, to now draw near to this situation.
    • This proves to be the catalyst to Peter's greatest failure, we are familiar with the verses that close out this chapter, we looked at them a few weeks ago.
  • Just to remind you though, what we find is Peter denying even knowing His Lord.
    • Not once, not twice, but three times he denies even knowing Jesus…
      • The final time it is with cursing that he denies him.  
    • The lowest point for Peter is found in this chapter and again, the verse we just read seemed to be the catalyst for this moment.
  • It may seem like an insignificant verse but how consider how it can exist as a warning to us today.
• J.C. Ryle looked upon these verses and observed that, “...Christians sometimes thrust themselves into temptation.”
  • He drew this out from the fact that Peter had been warned prior that he would deny Jesus before the morning dawn.
    • When warned about this Peter rejected Jesus’ statement by saying that he would instead die with him, but he could never deny him.
    • His weakness was manifested in his actions in the garden…
      • He could not stay awake as Christ requested, he attacked when and was corrected, then, like the rest, he fled.
        • Should he not have known his weakness?
      • Should he not have realized that as much as he had failed before he was surely to fail again?
    • Yet even if that crossed his mind he pushed forward and went to a slippery place where he was sure to fall.
  • Fall he did and how great was that fall…
    • Again, Peter’s lowest point is found in the closing verses of this chapter.  
    • Let’s read them again to be reminded of the fall of this apostle.
      • Vs. 66-72
    • This is the apostle who left his business and followed Jesus…
    • This is the apostle whose mother in law was healed by Jesus…
    • This is the apostle who walked up on the water as Jesus commanded…
    • This is the apostle who witnessed the transfiguration of Christ and saw Him in His Glory…
    • This is the apostle who plainly testified that Jesus was the messiah and the Son of God…
  • Yet now he claimed that he knew Jesus not.
• Consider the words of Pastor Ryle who pointed out that which is common to Peter is common to us today as well…
  • “...when a believer has once begun to backslide and leave his first faith, he seldom stops short at his first mistake. He seldom makes only one stumble. He seldom commits only one fault.”
    • It is worth pointing out that what he means by leaving his “first faith” is not a loss of salvation but rather a falling into sin.
    • Something that is common to even the strongest of believers for we all still carry around this flesh that we war against.
      • It is as Peter writes to us in 1 Peter 2:11…
        • 1 Peter 2:11 - “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
      • He writes this as one who understood the battle that we daily fight.  
    • We are in battle as Christians and we are, at times, our own worst enemies.
      • For this is why Christ commands us to pray at the close of His teaching on prayer…
        • Matthew 6:13 - “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
      • The fact is we are still a fallible people carrying around the desires of the flesh that wage war against the work of the Spirit.
    • Once more Peter in these verses is an example of what happens if we do not flee from temptation.
• Pastor Ryle continues, this is the last part of his statement…
  • “A blindness seems to come over the eyes of [Peter’s] understanding. He appears to cast over-board his common sense and discretion. Like a stone rolling down-hill, the further he goes on in sinning, the faster and more decided is his course.”
    • These are difficult words but do they not prove true, not only in the life of Peter but what about others?
      • Consider a man who, we are told, was a man after God’s own heart.
      • Of course we know the only one with this title in scripture is the most beloved king of Israel, David.
      • Nothing more than a shepherd when he is first introduced but then becomes one who is known for passionately following God.
      • Consider a few things we know of David…
        • He conquered the giant with the strength of his God.
        • He was anointed and then pursued by the current king even multiple times being a position to take the life of Saul.
          • Yet, when that temptation arose he refused and even mourned cutting off a corner of his robe.
        • We see him seeking the will of God when it comes to how he goes out to battle even at times daily relying upon God’s guidance.
        • David even penned the majority of the book of Psalms…
          • With at least 73 being attributed to him.  
      • Yet for all that…
        •  David’s record became incredibly tainted as he is found to have committed adultery and murder across a single chapter.
          • The subtlety behind this great sin was found in the opening verse of 2 Samuel 11.
          • 2 Samuel 11:1 - “In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel…But David remained at Jerusalem.
      • What follows in that chapter is the narrative of David’s great sin that created division in his family among his children, division among his own servants, and ultimately division in all Israel.
        • A simple thing led to a great fall for this godly king.
    • The fact is, it matters not who we look to…
  • We can find countless examples throughout the scripture of people who, because of a small thing, fall into a great sin.
• We would do well today then to consider our own lives in light of our text, what small thing are we allowing that can lead to a great fall?
  • What are we neglecting today, that can be easily corrected, but if left unchecked can cause a terrible undoing of ourselves.
    • For David it seemed to begin with idleness…
    • For Peter maybe it was fear of man…
  • For us it may be much the same or it could be something entirely different.
    • However, do not neglect to see the fact that a small thing can lead to a great and mighty fall.  
  • So on this point I urge you to consider your past failures, think about your shortcomings, and then strive to avoid those areas of temptation in your life.  
• Quite simply, believer, I am urging you to consider where your weakness lies and then to avoid walking in those places.
  • Now let us turn our attention to our final point, as we look to the Savior and see a…

Determined Declaration - (Vs. 61-62)

• Against the backdrop of the unjust trial, against the backdrop of Peter’s failure, we find Christ holding strong.
  • Though initially in silence and then with a bold response that leaves no question in who Jesus was claiming to be.
  • Let's read verse 61…
    • Vs. 61
• There are a couple of things to note as we consider this verse…
  • First, consider with me how this fulfills what we find told of our Lord from Isaiah 53.
    • 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.”
    • We see this playing out twice in our verses…
      • Initially we find this playing out as the false witnesses are brought forward.
        • Jesus makes no effort in correcting what is misspoken about His teachings.
        • He simply lets them spin their web of lies and as we have seen they did not gain anything from it.
      • Then we see Isaiah 53:7 playing out in our final verse, let’s read it again.
        • Vs. 65
      • Though He was beaten, though He was spit upon, He did not speak a word.
    • He remained silent as they accused Him and then silent as they beat and crucified Him.
  • The second thing that I would ask you to consider as we consider Christ, is the one statement that He does make when the high priest asks Him directly.
    • The high priest asked him one question that had two parts…
      • He asked, “Are you the Christ…”
        • Christ simply means Messiah, so he is asking Jesus if He was the Promised One to come.
        • The One that Moses talked about, the One that was to come from the line of David.
        • The One in which the prophets pointed forward to.
      • In the second part of his question he asked if Jesus was “the Son of the Blessed?”
        • It is important to note that every time we see the word “Blessed” in the New Testament it is used as a word to describe God.
        • So he is plainly asking Jesus, are you claiming to be the Son of God?
      • This single question paired in two parts is presented to Christ and He gives a clear and straightforward response.
    • Look again at it, verses 62.
      • Vs. 62
  • There are some things in Jesus’ statement that are worthy of our time this morning.
    • As we look at what Jesus says I just want to point out that Mark is the first Gospel written.
      • I point this out because some critics claim that Jesus did not clearly claim to be God, but John forced in his Gospel to make it clear.
        • In other words the claim is that Jesus never confessed to be God but that was a doctrine that developed later which is why it is so clear in John’s Gospel.
        • So, to that end, let us ask, does Mark record Jesus making claims of Divinity?
      • As we have already discussed previously in this Gospel we do see many times where Jesus shows Himself to be Divine.
        • Consider though that even if it was unclear up to this point, Jesus' statement that we just read blows that falsehood out of the water.
    • The first thing He speaks is two words…
      • “I am…”
        • Not only is He answering in the affirmative but this is the same language used in the Gospel of John that echoes God’s statement to Moses in Exodus 3 at the burning bush.  
          • In other words Jesus not only says “yes” but He is saying, I AM.
        • Pointing to an equality with God the Father that they believed no man could have.
        • Jesus claimed to be the Eternal One, the self existent One that has always been and who will always be.
      • If that phrase is not underlined in your Bible I would encourage you to underline it and then write Exodus 3:14 in the margin.
        • Exodus 3:14 - “God said to Moses, “I AM who I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
          • Along with that reference I would also encourage you to write John 8:58, where Jesus uses the same language.
        • John 8:58 - “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.””
      • The point is that even in Mark's early Gospel we see a clear statement of Divinity by Christ that was very much understood by the religious leaders who then cried, “blasphemy”.
    • Jesus’ statement in verses 62 does not stop there though, He continues with another clear statement of Him being the Messiah.
      • Again, He said…
        • “...you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
      • Kent Hughes commentary on this statement says…
        • “It was both a confession and a terrible warning, alluding to three Old Testament messianic passages to tell them that he was their coming Judge!”
          • He goes on to say a bit later in his commentary that Jesus was basically saying that…
        • “You are judging me, but I will judge you.”
      • A warning for those who were about to condemn Him to death.
  • They knew what He meant, they understood what He claimed, and they cried, “blasphemy”.
    • Yet His life and His ministry testified again and again that He was not speaking blasphemy but He was speaking the Truth.
    • He was God in the flesh and He came to be despised and rejected by man so that He could offer salvation to man.
      • That is something that I pray we have all received by faith today…

Closing

• As we close let us reflect upon these verses I want to remind you of the failure of man…
  • Man’s opposition to God, the weakness of our flesh, that we see so clearly in our verses.
    • Yet against the backdrop of man’s failure is the complete success of the Son of God.
  • He stood strong when we were weak, He died in our place bearing the wrath of God, and we are reminded of that even in our text today.
  • I urge you to consider and respond as the Spirit draws you, the altar is open, and I will be down front.
• Let us pray.