Welcome back to week 14 in our series from the book of Mark, “The Mission of Jesus.”
This week, our focus will turn to chapter 14 of the Gospel of Mark, in which the narrative arc of Jesus’ life begins a steep descent down the road of suffering. In these verses, Jesus will be anointed by a most unlikely character (a “sinful” woman), recline at table to share a Last Supper with His disciples, institute a sacrament for the nourishment of future generations, be left alone to agonize in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, be betrayed at the hands of one of His innercircle twelve, and stand trial before the chief priests. This journey to the cross has been known as Jesus’ Passion, from the Latin patior, meaning, “to suffer, bear, endure.” The Church would later name this week of the liturgical calendar year, “Holy Week,” which begins on Palm Sunday with Jesus’ Triumphal Entry and ends the following Sunday, on Easter morning.
During your times of personal worship this week, bear in mind that Jesus endured all of these sufferings on your behalf; He endured the wrath of God so that we might know His mercy and grow in ever-closer fellowship with Him through the Son.
Study notes by Ryan Brasington.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
Observe
Throughout this chapter, Mark will hold sinners and the religious elite in stark contrast. Although we may like to think of ourselves as the hero-saints in such stories, we would do well to identify, rather, with the sinners. It is there, as sinners in need of grace, that we will find Jesus’ compassion, forgiveness, and mercy.
Mark 14:1-9
1 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, 2 for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
The Gospel of Luke tells us that this woman who anointed Jesus was “a sinner,” most likely a sex worker. (Luke 7:37, 39) Luke also tells us that this Simon, the host, was a Pharisee (7:36). The contrast in characters is meant to make our jaw drop! But the most amazing thing about this scene is that Jesus points to the notorious prostitute and says, “Righteous!” and to the highly exalted religious chief, “Sinner.”
- How can you relate to those two characters?
- Which personality do you most easily assume when you encounter a “sinner”?
Father, thank you for this beautiful and sobering story in your Word! May it be to me a reminder that I am, indeed, a sinner in need of much grace. Help me to live this day as one who has been radically forgiven so that when I am wronged by others, I may be quick to forgive them in the same way.
Day 2
The Passion Begins
Observe
The Passover meal is the scene in which Jesus begins His road of suffering to the cross. Jesus, knowing that Judas has secretly met with the chief priests in order to betray Him into their hands, invites him to share in His Last Supper.
Mark 14:10-21
10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.
The Passover with the Disciples
12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
Jesus makes two predictions in this passage. First, He tells the disciples exactly what they will find when they go into the city to scout out a location to hold the Passover meal. When they found it all precisely as He said, I imagine that inspired confidence in the trustworthiness of His second, more shocking prediction: “one of you will betray me.”
- Can you think of any reason why God, in His sovereignty, may have picked the day of Passover (normally a joyful, celebratory feast!) to be the start of Jesus’ Passion?
- What do you think the disciples felt when Jesus said, “One of you will betray me”? Why were they sorrowful?
Jesus, thank you for inviting me around the table as one of your chosen disciples. Give me a steadfast heart! Help me to live this day in a manner that is worthy of your calling.
Day 3
The Lord’s Supper
Observe
In this passage, Jesus institutes Communion, the first of our two sacraments (Baptism, Matt. 28:19-20). What makes it a sacrament is that 1) it was instituted by Jesus himself and 2) it is an outward sign of an inward promise. Communion, or “The Lord’s Supper,” outwardly signifies the new covenant in Christ’s body and blood, which is renewed to us (and we to Him) whenever we eat and drink the elements.
Mark 14:22-25
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
I Corinthians 11:23-29
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for[f] you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
It may come as a surprise to some to hear that God is not always pleased with our communion or worship. There is, according to these passages of scripture, a right way (“discerning the body”) and a wrong way (“without discerning the body”).
- What does it mean to “discern the body” and to take the bread and cup of the Lord in an “unworthy manner”?
- Why do you think Jesus instituted communion in the first place? Did we really need this ceremony of crackers and juice/wine?
Lord Jesus, your goodness to me is truly astounding. Apart from your sacrifice and righteousness, I can do nothing in a manner that is worthy of Your holiness. Thank you for making it possible to know you so intimately and to share communion with you and your Bride in such a tangible and beautiful way.
Day 4
The Garden of Gethsemane
Observe
This passage takes us to the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus and His disciples on the night when He was betrayed. His closest friends and allies fall away–from twelve to eleven, then from eleven to only three (Peter, James, and John), until, finally, He stands trial alone. The sufferings of Jesus were so much more than physical!
Mark 14:26-52
26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled.
A Young Man Flees
51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.
After the wine and customs of Passover, Jesus and His disciples were understandably sleepy. Late into the night, Jesus prayed and asked His companions to keep watch with Him, but they could not. Spiritually speaking, Jesus calls to us but often finds us asleep.
- Have you ever felt spiritually asleep? Reflect on that time and ask yourself what, if anything, might have caused you to feel that way.
- What can you do today to help you be more watchful for the purposes of God?
Father, I confess that I am more ready to act boldly in your name, like Peter who chopped off the ear of the guard, than I am to simply stay awake, keep watch, and diligently do the things that no one besides You will ever see. I humble myself today and ask, “Lord, have your way in me.”
Day 5
Jesus’ Trial and Peter’s Denial
Observe
Peter managed to secretly follow Jesus and His captors to the courtyard of the high priest. Jesus, meanwhile, is charged with blasphemy for His claims to be the Son of God–even the great I AM–and begins to be mocked, spat upon, and beaten.
Mark 14:53-72
53 And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. 54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. 65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.
Peter Denies Jesus
66 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Peter warms himself by the fire, denying any knowledge of this Nazarene, Jesus. Just then, the Gospel of Luke reports, Jesus looks at Peter. In that moment, Peter remembered that Jesus had predicted his denial, and so he goes away weeping
- What lesson is Peter’s denial meant to teach us? He is, after all, the last disciple still by Jesus’ side after all the others had fled in fear.
- What do you suppose the look on Jesus’ face was like when He made eye contact with Peter after his three denials? See Luke 26:54-62.
Lord Jesus, my heart breaks over these verses of scripture. How you endured such heavy emotional and mental affliction, even before the physical scourging began. Thank you that you loved me enough to put up with it all! And not only to endure, but to do so “for the joy set before [you],” your Bride, your eternal inheritance, your most prized posession (i.e. me). May the kindness you have lavished upon me inspire a new and deeper repentance and trust in You this day.