Today's Daily Bread

“I AM”

Date : Wednesday, April 01, 2026
Passage : Mark 14:43~72
Keyverse : 62  
43
Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
44
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard."
45
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him.
46
The men seized Jesus and arrested him.
47
Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48
"Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?
49
Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."
50
Then everyone deserted him and fled.
51
A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,
52
he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
53
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together.
54
Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
55
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.
56
Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57
Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him:
58
"We heard him say, ’I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’"
59
Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60
Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"
61
But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?"
62
"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
63
The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked.
64
"You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.
65
Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.
66
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.
67
When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said.
68
But he denied it. "I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway.
69
When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them."
70
Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean."
71
He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don’t know this man you’re talking about."
72
Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.
The Judge of the living and the dead was arrested and judged by mere men. Jesus did not answer any of the trumped-up charges. But He did not let one charge pass; that is, He claimed to be God. They challenged him, “Are you the Messiah and the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus answered, “I AM” (all capital; LSV). That should have been enough to make them fall prostrate and worship Him. When God first appeared to Moses, he asked His name. God answered “I AM WHO I AM.” Jesus intended to answer the religious leaders’ charge with His very name: I AM.

Because the religious leaders did not get it, Jesus added, “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (v.62). Then they violently reacted and charged Him with blasphemy.

Jesus came to save sinners from rebellion against God. Adam rejected God’s absolute words. Man’s rejection of God’s words is treason against His sovereignty. When the religious leaders rejected the Son of God, they put their religious offices above Him. An important question to ask ourselves is “What do I put above God?” We then must repent of our sin of rejection of God’s sovereignty.

Prayer: Father, thank you for teaching us that Jesus is God. Help me repent of my rebellious mind. Amen.
One Word: Jesus is above all else