Mark 14:53-65

Mark 14:53-65

1. Let us observe how foolishly Christians sometimes thrust themselves into temptation.
2. Let us observe how much our Lord Jesus Christ had to endure from lying lips, when tried before the chief priests.
3. Let us observe what distinct testimony our Lord bore to His own Messiahship, and second advent in glory.

"Once out of the way of holiness, there is no saying to what we may come. Once giving way to petty inconsistencies, we may find ourselves one day committing every sort of wickedness. Let us keep far from the brink of evil. Let us not play with fire."

"Let it never surprise true Christians if they are slandered and misrepresented in this world. They must not expect to fare better than their Lord. Let them rather look forward to it as a matter of course, and see in it a part of the cross which all must bear after conversion."

"Let it be one of the leading truths in our own personal Christianity. Let us live in the daily recollection that our Savior is one day coming back to this world. Let the Christ in whom we believe, be not only the Christ who died for us and rose again--the Christ who lives for us and intercedes--but the Christ who will one day return in glory, to gather together and reward His people, and to punish fearfully all His enemies."

Questions:

1. You probably know the line from the hymn, “prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” Are we aware of the evils of our own hearts, and the temptations to sin? When was the last time we asked God to keep us from temptation?

2. When harassed and Christ’s service is uncomfortable, are we surprised as if something strange were happening to us or do we bear such things patiently? Are we aware of the sufferings of our Master, and that we should expect no better treatment than Him?

3. Is the return of Christ one of the leading truths of our own personal Christianity? When was the last time you thought about and rejoiced or took warning in Christ’s second coming?