Monday, December 15, 2025
Scripture Readings
- Primary Reading: Mark 13-15
Key Verse
Mark 14:42 — “Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.”
Devotional Thought
The disciples stood on the temple mount and marveled at the stones—massive, gleaming, the pride of Israel. “Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” They could not imagine it falling. Yet Jesus told them not one stone would remain upon another. He then sat on the Mount of Olives and spoke plainly of wars, earthquakes, famines, betrayal, and hatred—and of a day when the sun would darken and the Son of Man would come in clouds with great power and glory. “Heaven and earth shall pass away,” He said, “but my words shall not pass away.” In a season when we string lights and sing of peace, these chapters remind us that the peace Christ brings is not the absence of trouble but the presence of a King who has told us everything beforehand. He does not leave His people unprepared.
Mark then turns our eyes to Bethany, where a woman breaks an alabaster box of spikenard and pours it over Jesus’ head. Some murmured at the waste—three hundred pence, a year’s wages, given to the poor! But Jesus said, “She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” She alone seemed to understand that He was going to die. Then Judas went out to betray Him, and at the table Jesus took bread, blessed it, brake it, and said, “Take, eat: this is my body.” The new covenant was announced in the same hour it was betrayed.
In Gethsemane we see the cost. Jesus fell on the ground and prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” He asked Peter, James, and John to watch one hour, and found them sleeping. “The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” Then Judas came with a kiss, and they all forsook Him and fled. Peter warmed himself at the fire and denied Him thrice, and when the cock crowed, he wept. Before Pilate, Jesus answered nothing—the silent Lamb of Isaiah 53.
This is the ground beneath the manger. The babe of Bethlehem grew to a man of sorrows who drank the cup we could not drink. As we approach Christmas, let us not skip too quickly to the cradle. The One who came is the One who endured the cross, and He is coming again in clouds of glory. Watch, therefore, and pray—not in fear, but in the glad readiness of those who know their Redeemer lives.
Reflection
- The disciples admired the temple stones; Jesus foretold their fall. What “unshakeable” things in your life might God be asking you to hold more loosely, trusting His word instead?
- In Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “Not what I will, but what thou wilt.” Where is God inviting you to surrender your will to His this Advent season?
Prayer
Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee. We confess that our flesh is weak and our watching is short. Thank You for the Son who did not turn back from the cup, who was betrayed with a kiss and denied by His own, yet endured to the end for our salvation. Teach us to watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation. Give us hearts like that woman of Bethany who did what she could, and like our Savior who said, “Not my will, but thine.” Keep us faithful until He comes in the clouds with great power and glory. Amen.