Mark 14:1-2

It was two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and legal experts through cunning tricks were searching for a way to arrest Jesus and kill him. But they agreed that it shouldn’t happen during the festival; otherwise, there would be an uproar among the people.

Mark 14:1-2, Common English Bible (c) 2011

The religious authorities are so afraid of Jesus (Mark 11:18), they plot to kill him.

They are so afraid of the crowd (Mark 12:12), they keep the plans secret.

Any time we find ourselves in the middle of doing something by cunning and stealth we should pause to consider our true motive.  A surprise celebration may be one thing, but plots and secrets we do not want made public are quite another.

Jesus lived with integrity and transparency.  Seems a reliable role model to me.

-Teressa Clark, 2012, 2019

Lenten Reflections 2019:  Following Jesus from the Mount of Olives to the Tomb ~ Day 22