Thursday
Mark 14:53-72

“Jesus retains his integrity at the cost of his life. Peter loses his integrity to save his skin. Mark has contrasted them vividly,” writes NT Wright in his commentary on this passage. He says the detailed description of Peter’s failure actually highlights the solitariness of Jesus. He was betrayed by one friend, abandoned by 10 more, and now publicly renounced by his closest friend. Jesus stands alone. What he has to do now, he must do all by himself. Wright continues, “No one else can give their life as a ransom for many. Nobody else can bring back Israel’s story of failure and redemption to its climax. If he is the Messiah, there comes a moment where he has to act solo. That moment has now arrived.”