Lenten Reflections on Jesus' Last Week 6

 In it for the long haul:  Mark 14:53-15:20

In an ancient parallel to the trials of the ‘two Michaels’ Mark recounts how both the Jewish religious aristocracy and the occupying Roman force conspired to execute a rebel who was a threat to their power. These parallel trials happen behind closed doors, secretively and expeditiously.  Just as the disciples fled the inevitable bloody conclusion, so the crowds are wise enough to know when it is time to avoid a massacre. 

 

It is easy to condemn Peter, but I think he deserves some credit for following Jesus at a distance. Peter did what most of us would do; he said what needed to be said to save his life.  Was he wrong? If he had gotten himself killed too, who would have started the church?  How do we relate to this story when our faith has demanded so little of us?  Maybe if my faith was stronger, I would see that it actually demanded more.  What does your faith require you to do?  Is it enough to be a good person or does following Jesus require us to be more engaged in righting the wrongs not just in our own personal lives but in the lives of others?  As Christians, what is our responsibility to our secular society?  Can we bring our faith into the public sphere without expecting everyone else in that sphere to be or become Christian?  How do we engage in both social action and evangelism in 2021?  Running from both or either doesn’t seem to be the answer.  

Good to know that this is not the end of the story and that the risen Jesus still used Peter and the other disciples to start the church.