SCRIPTURE: MARK 14
JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY (vs. 1-11)
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man know as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. Some rebuked her saying: “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more thana year’s wages ands the money given to the poor” (v. 5). But Jesus said. “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached through the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (vs. 6-9).
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
THE LORD’S SUPPER (vs. 12-26)
Jesus sent two of his disciples and told them: “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters., ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples??” He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” (vs. 13-*15)
The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me, one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” (v.18-21) While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, :Take it, this is my body” (v. 22). Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” (vs. 22-25) When they had sung a hymn, they went ou8t to the Mount of Olives.
JESUS PREDICTS PETER’S DENIAL (vs. 27-3 1)
Jesus told his disciples, “You will all fall away, for it is written: “IO will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (v. 27). But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not” (v. 29). Jesus answered: “I tell you the truth, today – yes, tonight – before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” (v. 30) But Peter insisted: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you”. (v. 31)
GETHSEMANE (vs. 32-42)
Jesus and his disciples went to a place called Gethsemane. He told his disciples to sit here while he went to pray. He took Peter, James and John along with him and told them to stay and keep watch. Jesus said this prayer to the Father three times: “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will but what you will” (v. 36) Upon returning to his disciples he found them sleeping. Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (v. 38) The third time he returned, they were still sleeping. So Jesus said, “The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (v. 41-42)
JESUS ARRESTED (vs. 43-52)
Judas appeared with a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders. The betrayer had arranged a kiss signal to arrest Jesus. When Judas approached Jesus and kissed him, the men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN (vs. 53-65)
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance at the courtyard. He sat there with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus but could not find any. Their false testimony did not agree. Then some stood up and said: “We heard him say, “I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man ” (v. 58) The high priest asked Jesus to answer the testimony but Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked Jesus: “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” (V. 61). Jesus said” I am. Ando 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). The high priest tore his clothes and accused him of blasphemy. They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him. They blind-folded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy” And the guards took him and beat him.
PETER DISOWNS JESUS (vs. 66-72)
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.. She looked at Peter closely and said, “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus”. But he denied it saying, “I don’t know or understand what you are talking about. Then he went out into the entry way. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them” (v. 69). Again Peter denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” (v. 70) Peter began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you are talking about” (v. 71). 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 ands wept.
THOUGHTS:
LOTS OF PREPARATIONS WERE MADE IN THIS WHOLE CHAPTER
- Judas prepared to betray Jesus.
- Mary prepared the burial of Jesus.
- Jesus prepared fellowship with His disciples and predicted the denial of Peter
- Jesus prepared His death through His prayer to the Father
- Jesus prepared His arrest by the chief priest, elders and teacher of the law.
Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha was the one who poured perfume on Jesus’ head. In the book of John, he specifically mentioned about Judas’ indignation over Mary’s act of worship. Judas was the treasure of Jesus’ ministry and had embezzled funds. No wonder he wanted the perfume sold so that he could benefit from the proceeds. Jesus praised Mary for her unselfish act of worship by willing to sacrifice to him what is most precious. How about you? Are you willing to do likewise?
Why did Judas betray Jesus? Judas expected Jesus to start a political rebellion and overthrow Rome. As treasurer, Judas certainly assumed that he would be given an important position in Jesus’ new government. But when May poured out the perfume, Judas began to realize that Jesus’ kingdom was not physical or political but spiritual. Judas’s greedy desire for money and status could not be fulfilled if he followed Jesus. So he betrayed him in exchange for money and favor from the religious leaders.
Judas had determined to betray Jesus but in shrewd hypocrisy, he still shared the fellowship of the last meal. Sometimes, we also betray Jesus in similar manner when we disobey Him, distrust Him, and reject His authority.
The Lord’s Supper was also called Communion or Eucharist which is celebrated in worship services today. Jesus and his disciples ate a meal, sang psalms, read Scripture and prayed. Then Jesus took the bread representing his body and the wine representing his blood to explain the significance of his crucifixion. Jesus offered himself, the spotless Lamb of God as a sacrifice to forgive sin once and for all. His blood sealed the new agreement between God and us. All of us can come to God through Jesus in full confidence that God will hear us and save us from our sins.
When Jesus prayed at Gethsemane, He expressed his true feelings and reaffirmed his desire to do God’s will. He was aware of the sufferings he had to endure. Yet he prayed, “Yet I want your will not mine” Are you willing to commit to God and pay whatever the price in order to gain what is priceless – eternal life?
The false witnesses finally agreed to use this statement to accuse Jesus of rebellion. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”. Jesus was not talking about Herod’s temple made with human hands. The temple he was talking was about his own body. That was why Jesus refused to answer them. Not answering was wiser than trying to clarify the fabricated accusations.
The abandonment of Peter and the disciples had caused Jesus great pain. Sometimes, we also deny Jesus in vital areas of our lives. So, do not try to excuse yourself by pointing at others whose sins seem worse than yours.