Mark 14:26-3426And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 27And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. 32And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. (Mark 14:26‑34)
THERE IS one further admonition that we will consider, concerning the remembrance of the Lord in His death. “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:2828But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (1 Corinthians 11:28). Eating of this memorial in an unworthy manner (with unjudged sins marring the testimony, with worldly associations that are not suited to a place of such nearness to Him, or in the event an unsaved person were to be a partaker) will bring judgment upon the offender for so lightly esteeming what is most holy before God. Under whatever name it may be called, “Taking communion,” “The Lord’s supper,” “The Lord’s table,” or simply “the remembrance of the Lord,” let the believer do it with clear conscience as to his walk, with a real desire to remember the One who gave His life for him, and with a response of joy and worship that will be to the Lord’s praise.
“And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” The Lord here quotes from the prophet Zechariah. We know that His disciples all were stumbled and fled the night of His betrayal, before the blow fell upon the blessed Lord in those dark hours upon the cross. Yet after all was past He took in resurrection again that place of lowly service with His disciples. When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost all believers were bound together in one body, the Church, and He abides in every member of that body forever.
Peter, however, is disturbed by the Lord’s words. Others might be offended, but not he. “Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.” v. 29. Although acting in the utmost sincerity and with the very best intentions in his love to the Lord, yet he did not know how untrustworthy his affections would prove. The Lord in faithfulness tells him: “Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice.”
Still Peter insists. “He spake the more vehemently, If I should die with Thee, I will not deny Thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.”
The Lord does not pursue the matter further, but He well knew Peter would soon, experience deep bitterness in learning how unreliable his feelings and heart were. He knew too that all who joined with Peter in this boasting, would also fail.
In John’s Gospel we read the many words of encouragement and comfort that Jesus gave His disciples at this time, but Mark, occupied with thoughts of His blessed Person as the Servant, takes us immediately to the garden of Gethsemane. This was a place familiar to the disciples, for Jesus often went there with them. In the closing hours of the night He takes Peter, James and John with Him, apart from the rest (whom He exhorts to sit and wait for His return). The three are privileged to go farther along with Him until in the solitude of the night He, being “sore amazed, and... very heavy... saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.” vv. 33, 34. How well this fills out the words of Jeremiah the prophet: “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith [Jehovah] hath afflicted me in the day of His fierce anger.” Lamentations 1:1212Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. (Lamentations 1:12).
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