Bystanders

Mark 14:46-52

Theme: The Servant’s Last Days

Key verse: v.3

72 verses; 1595 words

Grade level: 3.6

What is a bystander?

a person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part.

Bystanders do not take action.

Bystanders do not take sides.

Bystanders do not take stands.

Here are five people at the false arrest of the Lord Jesus Christ:

I. The Arrested. V.46

They put their unholy hands on the Holy Saviour.

And they laid their hands on him,

“hands” (Acts 2:23)

They took Jesus without a reason.

and took him.

No warrant.

No warning.

Here are five people at the false arrest of the Lord Jesus Christ:

I. The Arrested. V.46

II. The Attacked. V.47

The weapon.

And one of them that stood by drew a sword,

Loudmouth Peter.

What would have happened if the Lord had not stopped him?

The wounded.

and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

Malchus, the high priest’s servant (John 18:10)

Here is the last miracle of Jesus before His crucifixion.

Here are five people at the false arrest of the Lord Jesus Christ:

I. The Arrested. V.46

II. The Attacked. V.47

III. The Almighty. Vs.48-49

The words of Jesus. v.48

48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

Most officers never have to draw their gun when arresting someone.

98% of all arrests in 2021 no weapon was ever drawn.

(https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/archives/ncjrs/176330-2.pdf)

The works of Jesus. v.49

49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

Why not arrest Him in the temple? (Mark 14:1-2)

Why not during the day?

Here are five people at the false arrest of the Lord Jesus Christ:

I. The Arrested. V.46

II. The Attacked. V.47

III. The Almighty. Vs.48-49

IV. The Available. V.50

They left the Lord.

And they all forsook him, (Mark 14:31b)

They ran from the Lord.

and fled.

They ran from His Presence.

The ran from His Provision.

Here are five people at the false arrest of the Lord Jesus Christ:

I. The Arrested. V.46

II. The Attacked. V.47

III. The Almighty. Vs.48-49

IV. The Available. V.50

V. The Author. Vs.51-52

They grabbed him up. v.51

51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

“certain young man” - Dressed as a Roman in a linen cloth. Most believe him to be Peter’s nephew John Mark.

The other young men tried to take him.

He left them as all backsliders leave the Lord. v.52

52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

Here is what they leave:

When one leaves the Lord they leave their covering.

When one leaves the Lord they leave their conscience.

When one leaves the Lord they leave their commission.

When one leaves the Lord they leave their concern.

Conclusion:

Are you a bystander?

Doing opposite what you claimed for Lord like the disciples.

Are you a back stabber?

Turning on Jesus like Judas.

Are you a backslider?

Walking away like they all did.