Close To The Enemy's Fire

Close to the Enemy’s Fire

Mark 14:53-64

Good morning.

Solomon asked in Proverbs 6:27, Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? NKJV

According to bibleref.com, “This passage of Proverbs warns of the dangers associated with adultery.

This statement is echoed by a common proverb in modern English, which says "if you play with fire, you're going to get burned."

In much the same way, those who dabble in sexual sin don't need to wonder "if" there will be consequences, only "when" and "how drastic" they will be.”

I would add, “all sin comes with some sort of consequence.”

Please open your Bibles to Mark 14, as we go back to our line-by-line study of Mark.

Last time we were in Mark, we learned about how Judas brought a massive group of armed soldiers and temple police to falsely arrest Jesus in the middle of the night.

Then Judas identified Jesus with a kiss. It seems as if Jesus was fairly ordinary looking, even to the point that those soldiers had to have someone point Him out to them.

After the kiss of betrayal, the mob laid their hands on Jesus.

During the arrest, John 18:10 tells us, “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.”

Jesus healed Malchus but He also allowed these atrocities to take place as He humbly submitted to the Father and showed His love to those for whom He was about to die.

Warren Wiersbe said, “Our Lord’s struggle in the Garden can be understood only in the light of what would happen to Him on the cross.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. NKJV

Today’s passage covers the trial before the High Priest as Peter was warming himself at the enemy’s fire.

I. The beginning of the trials.

Read Mark 14:53

As Warren Wiersbe said, “The Jewish trial was opened by Annas, the former high priest (John 18:13–24).

“It then moved to the full council to hear witnesses (Mark 14:53–65), and then to an early morning session for the final vote of condemnation”, in Mark 15:1. (Warren Wiersbe)

Last time in Mark, we learned the religious leaders were known as the Sanhedrin, and they were made up from three groups.

The Chief Priests who led the nation in worship, the Scribes who were the Bible scholars of the nation, and the Elders who were charged with the spiritual welfare of the nation.

We also learned that Jesus was subjected to six illegal trials; three illegal trials by the Jews: one before Annas the High Priest, and then one before Caiaphas, and one before the Sanhedrin.

Jesus was also subjected to three trials before the Gentiles: one before Pilate, then one before Herod, and finally back to Pilate.

As we said last time, these trials of Jesus were terribly illegal according to Jewish law.

In today’s passage, a group of religious leaders were at Caiaphas’ house waiting for Jesus to arrive and begin the first illegal trial, after all of His followers forsook Him.

Jesus was at the beginning stages of the illegal, immoral treatment and trials from the religious leaders. Soon the Gentiles would be involved, which will culminate with His brutal death.

But where are His Disciples? They have all forsaken Jesus…

II. Peter tries to fade into the crowd.

Read Mark 14:54

Let’s talk about Peter’s progression forsaking Jesus.

1. Peter’s pride and self-confidence led to his denial of Jesus.

Peter’s denial began after Jesus’ arrest, but his denial was a slow fade into sin which began when Peter argued with the Word of God that came through Jesus.

Remember several weeks ago when we studied Mark 14:27?

Mark 14:27 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'

Mark 14:28 "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."

Mark 14:29 Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be." NKJV

Peter in essence told Jesus he knew better than Him as he proclaimed that even if all the others will stumble, he would not.

Peter was prideful and didn’t realize how weak his flesh was; we should be careful of pride, as James 4:6 says, "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." NKJV

2. Peter’s prayerlessness led to his denial of Jesus.

Earlier, Peter was sleeping when he should have been praying.

Mark 14:37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? NKJV