Anger Leads to Murder (Mark 14:1-10)
The chief priest and scribes wanted to kill Jesus but decided not do so during the festival of the Passover and Unleavened bread because they feared that the people might rebel. The Passover started the week of eating Unleavened bread in remembrance of the exodus from Egypt. Jesus was reclining at the table of Simon the leper in Bethany when a woman came anointed his head with a vial of very costly perfume but some were speaking against her doing this but Jesus rebuked the indignation. Judas was one of the indignant and he obviously took offense at the rebuke, because he went to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus for money. Jesus taught his disciples that anger is the beginning of murder; therefore, do not be angry and if someone is angry with you, be reconciled to them. (Mt. 5:21-26)
The Passover Become the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:10-31)
Jesus and the disciples ate the Passover meal in a large upper room. While they were eating, Jesus informed the twelve disciples, that one of them will betray him. They began looking at one another and saying, “Surely not I?” Jesus answered, “It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl.” The twelve had received more instruction than all of Jesus’ disciples. After this, Jesus inaugurated the Lord’s Supper. During the meal, and after a blessing, he took some bread, broke it, gave it to the twelve, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” He also took a cup and gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples who all drank from it, and he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” They sang a hymn and went to the Mount of Olives. Jesus told the disciples that they would all fall away, but after his resurrection, he will gather them once again in Galilee.
The Passover and Unleavened bread festival was given to the sons of Israel. It was not given to all people. It was the sons of Israel who ate the Passover lamb in Egypt and put the blood on the door frame of their house. The Lord passed over their homes but killed the first born in the homes of the Egyptians. The following day was the exodus from Egypt and they ate unleavened bread. The sons of Israel, therefore, ate the Passover and Unleavened bread in remembrance of what the Lord did for them. During the Passover, Jesus inaugurated a new covenant, in his blood through faith. The new covenant is for all who receive him as Lord and Savior. We eat the Lord’s supper as a common meal in remembrance of Jesus, until his second coming. Unlike the Passover and Unleavened bread, it is people from every tribe, nation, tongue and people on earth that eat the Lord’s supper.
The Son of Man Coming on the Clouds of Heaven (Mark 32-72)
Jesus took with him Peter, James and John to keep watch while he prayed. Three times he prayed to the Father about what was about to occur and three times they fell asleep and did not do as Jesus commanded. Judas, one of the twelve, came leading a crowd with clubs and swords. Judas kissed Jesus and the crowd sent by the chief priests and scribes seized Jesus. One of the disciples attempted to fight but Jesus gave no resistance. Jesus was arrested but all of the disciples escaped. The Sanhedrin put Jesus on trial and many false witnesses were brought but their testimony was not consistent, so the chief priest asked Jesus directly, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” In a jewish context, it could have not been any clearer, Jesus declared himself to be the God of Israel in human flesh. Peter then denied Jesus three times, which showed Jesus to be the true Prophet of God.
Jesus had demonstrated that he believed himself to be the Christ when he came into Jerusalem, riding on a donkeys colt. Jesus demonstrated the he believed himself to be the special Son of God when he told the parable about the vineyard owner. Jesus demonstrated that he believed himself to be God in human flesh when he gave answer to the high priest’s direct question. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, God incarnate; this is what Jesus believed about himself. What do you believe about Jesus?
