Mark 14:1-2 - Cowardly Priests and Scribes

Mark 14:1-2
1 Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 2 for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people.”

Message: Cowardly Priests and Scribes

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - About 5 days has passed since Jesus entered Jerusalem. During that time he has entered Jerusalem on a colt, fulfilling prophecy, checked out things in the Temple, come back into town and cursed a fig tree, questioned the way the temple leaders were running the temple, using it as a way to sell things and earn money and then Jesus hears many questions from temple priests, scribes and other religious leaders. Jesus responds to them and solidifies that He is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Son of Man, and God. He then prophecies of the destruction of the temple and that He will be a shepherd to all people and the Gospel will be proclaimed beyond Jerusalem.

Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away. It is Wednesday, the last week of Jesus' earthly life. Passover began the week long Feast of Unleavened Bread. Passover was about the Jews sacrificing lambs and spreading the blood on the doors of Israelite homes so that the Lord would pass over the Israelite homes and instead inflict His wrath on the firstborn sons of the Egyptians. Thus, the Israelite people were redeemed through the blood. Blood symbolically covered the sins of the Israelites. Christ's death would shield everyone from God's judgment. Jesus would be the Passover Lamb: I Corinthians 5:7 - Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.

the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him. Jesus has been a problem for them. They had been the authority for people of faith and Jesus was coming in and questioning this authority. Jesus had gained a hold on the people, specifically the people of Galilee. Jesus was even saying that they were not fulfilling their mission correctly and allowing the Gentiles to come into the temple area. As they questioned Jesus they knew that he was outwitting them. They would not bow to him, even if what he was saying was right. They had people subscribing to their rules and Jesus was talking about motives and the condition of people's hearts.

Jesus' words were valuable to the crowds. They liked what he said. And the Jewish leaders knew this and knew that their authority was fleeting. Although they wanted him dead they were not sure when the correct timing was to take him by force. for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people.” Multiple people were coming to Jerusalem because of the week long celebration and they wanted to hold off taking Jesus by force for they feared all of these people, who had probably received benefit from Jesus and His teaching, would come to His defense. However, they wouldn't end up being able to wait after Judas' betrayal. God's plan would supersede.

Summary - It is 2 days prior to the Passover, to the crucifixion. The priests and scribes are wanting to seize Jesus but they don't want to do it right now because of the number of people that would be in Jerusalem because of the Passover and the beginning of the week long celebrated of Unleavened Bread.

Promise: God has a sovereignty over events. Despite people's best intentions things will be carried out according to God's plan.

Prayer: Lord, you are Savior. You are Lord. You carry out your purposes in your perfect timing. Despite the anger people have toward You, You had a purpose. Lord, use this study to continue to minister to me so that I truly understand your message and your purposes and ways. I want to be equipped. Thank you for Your truth and Your upcoming sacrifice - for me.