The priests and scribes are conspiring. We’re told they “were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him” and that they decided not to do it during the feast. I don’t know if that’s referring to stealth only for the arrest or for murder as well. But we do know that Jesus was publicly killed and certainly during the feast. They only got to carry out the plans that fell in line with God’s plan. We don’t have to worry about the plots of man. God laughs at them. We are in God’s hands. If He ever puts us in the hands of man, it’s for His glorious purposes and we can rejoice.

The priests and scribes weren’t the only persecutors in Mark 14. The disciples act as persecutors as well. They scolded the woman sacrificially worshiping the Lord.

We are warned that anyone who desires to live godly lives will be persecuted. If you never experience persecution for your godliness, then you need to check your heart. What are you desiring?

The persecution continues with Judas betraying Jesus. He was a chosen disciple. He had gone out healing and preaching the gospel with Christ’s authority.

Jesus knows full well the persecution coming His way and who was an instigator in it. He still invites Judas to the table with Him. He still eats with him.

Jesus also knows how Peter will persecute Him, denying Him, turning his back on Him. He knows that the disciples will abandon Him as He’s being taken away under arrest. Peter thought he never would betray, persecute the one he loved. Turns out he loved self more.

We all do until we crucify the flesh and have Christ’s life in us. We die to self daily so that we bring Christ and His body good and not harm all the days of our lives.