I really find this next progression interesting. Jesus is welcomed as the King into the city. Then He has Passover with His disciples but the drama is about to begin. The guards are led by Judas to take Jesus when He is praying in a garden.
"And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none." - Mark 14:53-55 ESV
As my friend P Devendra said in a recent video. I am paraphrasing, 'What could they say against this man? He healed and cared for people.' There really was no way to accuse Him. He was innocent. He was the purest man who ever lived.
"For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.'" Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?"" - Mark 14:56-60 ESV
Ah Ha! He threatens our structured way of life!
I see this same obstacle in evangelism all the time. The common man receives Him gladly but then some authority in a person stands up and objects to what is seen as a destructive change. It appears that things are going to get taken away and to someone who has only those things it is challenging.
"But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." And the high priest tore his garments and said, "What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?" And they all condemned him as deserving death." - Mark 14:61-64 ESV
Jesus is silent about our real and imaginary loss. He just proclaims who He Is.
"And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, 'Prophesy!' And the guards received him with blows." - Mark 14:65 ESV
They are cruel to Him and play games at His expense by hitting him with His face covered and daring Him to use His 'prophetic power' to tell them who it was that struck Him. These same people who could find no objective proof against Him have to vilify and mock Him to justify the evil they are planning.
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me...' " - Matthew 16:24 ESV
Security seems to become more and more important to a person as they get older. Things getting ripped down or taken away is a real fear. Is Jesus able to take care of us?
I say He is. Resurrection always follows the death and burial we experience at the cross. Jesus said, 'you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power' and those who believe see that now by faith. His power is able to save us. That power is able to preserve us. If our natural structure does get torn down it is for a reason. God wants us to be free.
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