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Mark: Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of Jesus

Read: Mark 15:21-47

As a rule, I don’t get real excited about New Year’s celebrations, but I am hopeful that 2018 will be a year of change, redirection, refocus, and rebuilding for the ministry that Jesus has in mind for me. That’s probably not very unique, but in the last 4 or 5 years, significant changes have happened in my life as children become adults and the umbilical cord attached to the Air Force is detached.

If I were really paying attention, this post should have been the last post of 2017, the rather factual report of the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. The first post of the new year should have been on the resurrection, the distinction between Christianity and every other religion in the world. Forgive me for not planning well.

In the last several posts, I’ve honed in on shorter passages than today’s reading. As I read through the chapter, it seems to me that John Mark wanted to provide information about these events in a brief, somewhat journalistic style. There is very little interaction in the passage–just key facts. The way I read this is simply to cover the story and move on.

  1. Yes, Jesus was crucified as a human, along with others, according to the horrible Roman authority’s system of punishment.
  2. Yes, Jesus, the man, died. His physical body quit functioning. Mine would have died at the scourging, but His body, because of His human strength, continued through to Golgotha where others watched, sneered, judged, and witnessed the cruel death.
  3. Yes, Jesus’ body was buried by a friend in a place that was known about at that time, especially by Mary and Mary.

I’ll take a quick look at these three yeses today.

Crucifixion

Not much detail here, just some details. At Hope Fellowship, we recall the Stations of the Cross during Easter (the featured image is #3). One of the images is based on this scripture:

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. Mark 15:21

Imagine making your pilgrimage to Jerusalem during the Passover celebration, then being tasked to carry the cross for someone’s crucifixion. What a dreadful way to remember Passover! Perhaps Simon is named here as the father of Rufus mentioned in Romans 16:13.

The mocked and taunted Jesus as He hung there and died under the torture designed to create as much human pain as possible before death. A sign for those opposed to the Roman rule.

Death

For six hours, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Jesus labored to stay alive as He hung there on the cross.

And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Mark 15:34

There are many schools of thought on this particular passage, as is typically the case for the theologically elite. I believe that Jesus, the human, felt incredible physical pain as well as the huge burden that was placed on Him. For those who knew the psalms, He points us to Psalm 22 as He begins to cite the incredible words from David that ends with this promise:

They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!
Psalm 22:31

Burial

In the end, the body gives up and must be tended to. Joseph of Arimathea steps in to boldly claim the body, wrap it in linen, and place it in the tomb hewn from rock and covered by stone.

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Mark 15:43

Mary and Mary were watching the whole time, keeping track of events, no doubt mourning deeply.

This is a sad sequence of events, a somber reminder of the extent to which our Savior would go for our benefit. Not the greatest way to start the new year, or perhaps the best way to start:

remember the cross
remember the pain
don’t forget the shame,
the insults, the blame;
words hurled toward the man.

remember the cross
as you consider
your debt is not so great,
your pain not too severe,
the cost for you and me
is really no loss.

remember the cross
this year
as we strive to change,
as we hope to empower
the least,
the lost,
the lonely;
those who know and
those who are blinded
to the reality of spiritual darkness.

remember the cross.

May God richly bless 2018 for you and yours. I can honestly, deeply say this to the few of you that actually read this blog: I love you. I hope the best for you in this and every year. May God pour out His favor on you and your family. May you go and make disciples and do what Jesus would have you do each day.

Go in peace and grace.

You are His son, His daughter, His.

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Reflections of 2017

A year ago I set out to blog through the Bible again, this time with an emphasis on deeper understanding and a desire to leave a legacy for my girls. It started when I was looking at some material I had sitting around: the Old Testament Challenge. That seemed like enough structure to get started, so the journey began. At some point in the year I invited you to join in the adventure, to read along with me, and walk through Scripture together.

I know it’s kinda weird publishing a journal in public. Yes, there are things I might say if this were written completely in private, but we are not islands, we are a community of believers. We are doing life together, making mistakes and holding onto each other as we work our way through pain and sorrow, joy and excitement.

After reading A.D. 30 and A.D. 33 by Ted Dekker, I walked away with a fresh perspective on studying the Bible. Dekker’s portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth in these books helped me rethink how I approach Scripture. In 2018, I hope to publish a video that evokes the imagery I started to write about in Why Study the Bible? It’s important to read and study, to learn about our heritage, mistakes made, successes achieved, to discern the voice of God, but the Bible is not to be idolized and worshipped. It really is the highlight reel, enough words to help us make the leap of faith.

The Bible gives us a set of core principles and beliefs, a common lexicon. Without it, we would all be starting our own religions–something The Tempter would love! I’m absolutely NOT advocating we avoid Bible studies, far from it! I’m merely suggesting we look at why and how we study the Bible.

Jesus did not say, go lock yourself in academic halls and study the scrolls. What He did say was to go and make disciples.

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

I hope 2018 will reinvigorate your Bible study approach, that it would infect those around you, those you are discipling and others who are just curious!

My approach to the church is changing as well. For years I’ve looked for a place to gather on Sundays to celebrate the joy and struggles of the previous week of working in the fields, trying to advance the Gospel, helping the poor, etc. For the most part, church has become the focus of the week. Church staffs around this country invest most of their efforts on the Sunday production because, “this Sunday could be that Sunday” for someone. That Sunday when the people come to hear words that bring them to redemption. I hope that happens, truly I do, but to spread the thought that you come to a building at a prescribed time in order to be saved is ridiculous.

Our lives should be centered on making disciples, of being Christ to all we meet, and teaching others to do the same. When we do that, the Sunday gathering will become a wonderful celebration of kindred spirits, of brothers and sisters coming together to embrace, to laugh, to cry, to sing unrestrained, to hear a message, to share communion, to pray for each other. Sundays might not be so organized and polished because we would be too busy during the week meeting with others to talk about Jesus, to bear each others burdens, praying with our neighbors, having coffee on a whim, or taking kids to school for a friend. Our pretty production schedules might just get messed up when Sunday is not the focus of the week, but the Gospel might get preached by every minister, every believer, everyone, if we stopped insisting that Sunday was the focal point.

In 2018, please join me in praying that we become the church Jesus intended for us to become. As Healthy Growing Churches and Healthy Growing Leaders embraces those who’ve been given a vision, I pray we will spur on others to make a difference for Christ and for His church.

The 139 Collaborative begins in 2018. We’re still building the structure, but the foundation is on Psalm 139, we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. We will praise God through serving others in many ways. It’ll be messy as two creatives work together to love on our community, but it is our prayer that it will be helpful to Anderson, South Carolina as a place to start. What happens beyond that is completely a God-thing. Our focus is here at home. Nothing too lofty. We will remember Psalm 131. Pray for insightful music, challenging videos, thought-provoking writing, and mostly that disciples would be multiplied in 2018 through this collaborative.

Thanks for joining me on the journey. I hope and pray that some words were useful.

We’re not done yet! Not too surprising, but I found that I can’t just fly through the Bible on a schedule. In 2018, we’ll finish blogging through the Bible, then who knows, maybe we’ll just start again!

Rest in peace 2017.

Love God. Love Others. Love Yourself.

–dave

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Mark: Jesus Before Pilate; Mocked by Soldiers

Read: Mark 15:1-20

In a rather factual-reporting style, John Mark covers the brief appearance of Jesus before the Roman magistrate. Not much drama in these words, but the impact is, of course, huge!

The chief priests (plural) have one last task to do: convince the Roman authority to kill the man who stands to destroy their plans.

So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. Mark 15:1

Captured with clubs and a mob, they tie the peaceful prophet and deliver Him to Pilate.

The interaction is brief. Jesus only answers one question; otherwise remains silent.

“Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied. Mark 15:2

The chief priest bait Pilate with the annual prisoner swapping routine. Barabbas, the murderer, is exchanged for Jesus, the prophet. Somehow the crowds are convinced, the masses are swayed.

“Crucify him!” they shouted. Mark 15:13

Handed over to the soldiers, they too play their part. Perhaps these are the kinds of men people associate with the military, but I’m sure you know differently. These soldiers have been thoroughly trained to be brutal, to see human life as that which can be taken at any time. Scourging a man is just a routine task, but with a crowd that’s so excitable, they see this as an opportunity to play to the people.

And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Mark 15:18

Sympathize or Not?

Should I be more sympathetic to the priests or to Pilate, the soldiers or even the crowd? After all, the Jewish hierarchy was established to combat the ridiculous kings that misled the tribes into near distinction. Reading through Judges and Kings in the Old Testament, combined with the major and minor prophets, we get the point: humans are weak and do stupid things when given too much power. The response: create a legalistic culture that has a law for everything. Sound familiar? Our current society has been seduced by such thinking, but it does not lead to a life of bliss. Rules upon rules do not satisfy.

What about Pilate? Is he merely a pawn of higher rank than others around? The Roman machine was in full motion during this time. If he acted according to his own ideas, he would surely be replaced–beginning with his execution (no doubt). I’m not sure how he rose to such a position, but I’m confident it was not out of kindness to his fellow citizen or desire to appeal to the Jews. Absolutely not! His interaction with Jesus was administrative at best, unaffected by evidence that might have changed his hardened heart, Pilate played his part, that which he had rehearsed for years.

No, I have no sympathy for Pilate or his soldiers.

I have no sympathy for the priests or the crowd they controlled.

They all missed the opportunity to hear from the Messiah, the foretold, the long awaited Son of God that came to earth to demonstrate the incredible value of humans to the eternal.

Jesus kept it simple: love God, love others, love yourself. Value people over everything else. Rich or poor, mentally challenged or genius, status or none–all people matter to God, they should matter to us.

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Mark: Peter Disowns Jesus

Read: Mark 14:66-72

The NIV heading for this section is exceptional: Peter Disowns Jesus. Ouch! Such a poignant word. In the wild sequence of events that happens in this narrative, Peter is lost and shows us he is completely human, too human perhaps, at this moment.

Denial One – Servant Girl

When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. Mark 14:67-68

In a most humiliating way, we read this girl, this servant girl, calls Peter out. In my mind, I see this hulk of a man versus this relatively small girl politely pointing and offering a rather convicting statement: You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus. For some strange reason she has a British accent–I need to work on my imagination!

She’s the servant of the high priest, so there’s no doubt she is well trained and I suspect quite articulate. I’m also confident that Peter at least recognizes this young lady as one who is connected to the ring-leader who is part of those convicting Jesus in their mock trial.

Denial Two – Servant Girl to those gathered

She’s not done yet!

When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. Mark 14:69-70a

I’m reminded that this is super early in the morning…the rooster has only crowed once (my guess); he has yet to announce the day. What is she doing up and wandering around? Perhaps she’s on breakfast duty, preparing for the day. Suffice it to say, no one is complaining that she’s around–except Peter! Those gathered are listening to her and taking notes, but apparently, not engaging in the conversation at this point. Time for coffee I guess.

Denial Three – Those Gathered Draw Curses

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Mark 14:70b-71

Peter’s accent betrays him, you are a Galilean. You’re not from around here are you? Nope! And in typical sailor fashion, Peter’s language turns sour, calling down curses and swearing at those who are finally starting to wake up.

Disowned

At this point, the cement hardens around Peter’s feet and he’s ready to jump in.

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. Mark 14:72

John Mark’s treatment of Peter’s denial makes me pause and consider the year we are about to conclude. How did 2017 go for you? How many times did I deny Christ? Were there points in time when I disowned Jesus?

Sadly, I’m sure the truth is there like the servant girl pointing out my guilt. No doubt. Peter’s example reminds us we can, and probably will, all fail at some point–perhaps many points. But here’s the thing: this is not the end of the story.

The overwhelmingly amazing part of the narrative is that we know it doesn’t end this way. Peter doesn’t know that at this point in time. He, like me, would just as well put on the cement shoes and jump in the deepest part of the sea. Guilt is a horrible ally. One of the many lessons we learn through reading these passages is to know that we are not to clothe ourselves in pity or shame. Christ died and rose from the grave to remedy this predicament.

There is more to the story. Pause and reflect, but please, keep reading!

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Mark: Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

Read: Mark 14:53-65

Betrayal complete, now the leaders have their work cut out for them as they prepare their case against Jesus. Meanwhile, Peter is doing his very best not to be the one Jesus called out a few hours earlier:

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. Mark 14:54

We’ll cover the rest of Peter’s story tomorrow.

Testimony after testimony was brought before them as they did their very best to convict Jesus.

Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Mark 14:56

There’s no indication of how long the parade of witnesses continued, nor is there any indication that someone provided any defense for Jesus, but in just a few short verses we get to the crux of the matter:

But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “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.” Mark 14:61-62

The direct question with an absolute response, plus a qualifier. Yes, earthly council of men, Jesus is the Messiah, the One you’ve been waiting for, preaching about, teaching others to get excited about. Yes, He is right before your eyes, right in front of you. You’ve heard the stories, but chose not to believe. You know people who have been healed, touched, felt, heard, and seen; yet you chose to turn away.

It’s about choice, isn’t it? If there is a God above others, why is there so much pain and suffering? If this is the Messiah, why not end all of this? Why are we in such a hurry? There are so many opportunities to serve and make disciples of Jesus, I’m no longer in a hurry to see it end so quickly. Instead of gloom and doom, perhaps the question should be: why are we allowed to feel true joy? What makes a person laugh? Even in the hardest of times, in the darkest of places, we see images of children playing. Sure, we can focus on the suffering, but there is another side to the story. This doesn’t erase difficulties in the world, but it’s there to remind us that there is suffering, but there is joy as well.

Yes, Jesus is the Messiah, but more than that, you will see Him again! Jesus doesn’t just break the silences with a short answer the question, He expands it to include His future Second Coming. He knows where this will lead. No doubt.

One day, we will see the Son returning in all His glory. For now, we wait, but that doesn’t imply sitting around and watching the sky light up.

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Mark: Jesus Arrested

Read: Mark 14:43-52

Christmas 2017 was celebrated yesterday. Lots of gifts were exchanged as a reminder of the incredible gift that Jesus is to our world. Today is Boxing Day, a day to reflect on the crescendo of the Christmas season (and pack-up stuff). We don’t really celebrate Boxing Day here, but I like the idea. Instead, however, we go back to work. The calendar calls. Time keeps moving.

For Jesus and His disciples, we read about this pivotal moment: Judas follows through on his end of the bargain with the Jewish leaders.

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. Mark 14:43

John Mark reminds us of the completeness of the betrayal scene. There is a crowd, swords, clubs, anger, defiance, tempers flare as Judas Iscariot breaches the personal space of his friend, mentor, and savior and provides the signal that could not be misunderstood: a kiss.

Peter, always being Peter:

Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Mark 14:47

The servant (John tells us the servant’s name was Malchus) wasn’t fast enough to get out of the way! Peter’s reaction is classic, but Jesus will have nothing to do with igniting a rebellion on human terms. He quickly regains control of the scene, miraculously heals the servant and quiets the crowd.

“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted him and fled. Mark 14:48-49

Jerusalem was on alert. Those who were responsible for keeping civil rest during the Passover celebration were no doubt poised to squelch any sign of trouble. In my mind, they didn’t know all the details about this particular trouble-maker, they were just following orders to go along to maintain control when Jesus is arrested.

Then everyone deserted him and fled. Mark 14:50

Interesting.

They scatter–the disciples that is. Just as Jesus told them just a few hours earlier.

The scene before dawn, late in the night, unfolds as Jesus foretold many times.

Fleeing Naked

John Mark provides a footnote to the event that I found interesting today:

A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. Mark 14:51-52

The other gospel writes add their observations, but here alone we read about one of the would-be followers of Jesus was also on the scene. This anonymous young man, like the disciples themselves, shows up on the scene in a costly garment.

Forgive me as I go out on a limb and imagine John Mark’s reason for including this footnote. Clothed with the riches of the world, he’s a fan of Jesus–like me perhaps. On the outside everything looks fine, but when you look closely, there is nothing underneath. When the pressure is on, the true character is revealed and the robes are stripped away. Perhaps this is John Mark’s reminder of Amos’ prophecy about the judgment of Israel in Amos 2:6-16. Amos caps his prophetic sermon with this note:

Even the bravest warriors
will flee naked on that day,”
declares the Lord.
Amos 2:16

They run away naked because they have nothing to offer. I have nothing to offer. The scene is embarrassing, humiliating, socially unacceptable (to say the least), but let’s be real:  only through the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice am I able to stand. I can’t be good enough, kind and gentle enough to earn salvation. It’s good to be good, but in the end, our robes of worldly goodness will be stripped away and there we are: naked.

Even the bravest will not win that day.

Lord, clothe me in your righteousness today. The birth of Jesus in such a humble manner reminds me of His greatness today. Happy Boxing Day. Remember the gifts.

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Mark: Gethsemane

Read: Mark 14:32-42

It’s almost Christmas and here I am writing about the trials and tribulations surrounding Jesus’ last days walking around in skin. Sure, I know how the story ends, goodness, but it’s still a challenge thinking about the disciples and those that surely knew Jesus of Nazareth well. At this point in His earthly ministry, literally hundreds of people knew Jesus and I’m confident that many knew Him well — even if they didn’t quite get what He was up to.

Supper is over. The traitor departed the group, though John Mark chooses to let that detail slip for now. Jesus takes His disciples to His favorite place to pray. He’s not in the temple courts, that alone should have garnered some attention. No, His prayer spot is a garden in Gethsemane.

Let your mind imagine the scene. Just earlier in the day, Jesus dispatched a few to make arrangements for the Passover meal, exclusively for Jesus + 12. At the meal, He announces someone will betray Him, that Peter would deny Him three times, and that His body and blood are to be remembered from now on when they eat and drink. This is one heck of a day.

Now they’re in the garden and Jesus invites the inner circle, including the one who will deny Him, to keep watch, because He is troubled.

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Mark 14:34

If Jesus is overwhelmed with sorrow, how did they feel? This is the Messiah. Peter made the proclamation and the others agreed. How is it the Messiah could ever be overwhelmed with sorrow? Something is not right with this scene.

Jesus demonstrates obedience:

Yet not what I will, but what you will. Mark 14:36

Ultimately, we all come to the fork in the road where we are allowed to decide: my will or the Father’s. For our benefit, Jesus comes to this place where He is presented with an eternal decision, one that has the weight of the world in the balance. His humanity in check, He chooses to take the hardest of routes, the darkest of paths, the one with the most pain and suffering.

What is your choice today? What is mine? Hard or easy? Challenging or routine? I know it’s not really that simple. There are many factors that weigh in on the decisions, but here’s the thought: with eternity in mind, choose wisely. In the end, we win, so choose wisely. When all is said and done, Jesus returns and claims those who were faithful. My prayer is that we lean on the Father’s will and as a result, we invite many, many others to join in communion with Jesus.

Sigh.

The long day is heavy upon these mere mortals. From the high of anticipation for the Passover meal to the low of considering who would be the traitor and the confusion of the new communion. They can’t stay awake all night. It’s just too much.

Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Mark 14:41-42

 

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Mark: Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

Read: Mark 14:27-31

Peter’s denial is one of the most striking episodes in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life on earth. The bold, brash, step-out-of-the-boat-guy, loud-mouth Peter speaks before letting the thought sink in when Jesus tells them all:

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ Mark 14:27

Jesus has predicted His death and resurrection several times, probably more than we have recorded in the Bible, but now He includes some disturbing news: You will all fall away.

Not that their faith is compromised, but fear will grip them and control their actions. Fear wins the day, but not for long. Jesus lets them know He will meet them in Galilee…mark your calendars!

But Peter is stuck on the first statement, he didn’t hear the rest of the story.

Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” Mark 14:29

The scene makes me laugh and cry at the same time. How many times have I declared, “Not me!” Only to watch events unfold and disaster averted only by the Grace of God. Too many times.

Jesus insists:

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” Mark 14:30

He’s not talking about some distant future, Jesus is talking about now, today, in the next few hours–Peter’s denial is practically on the tip of his tongue now!

But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. Mark 14:31

And all the others…were listening as well, following Peter’s lead (just not speaking quite so boldly). In my imagination, I see them nodding in agreement, “yeah, what he said.”

Jesus doesn’t continue the debate. What He has said is complete, this will happen, period.

The pace of events is picking up rapidly. Like a pot that’s beginning to boil, finally, the level of activity is suddenly increasing until the stove is covered in mess and it seems like you can’t turn if off — a nightmare to live through the next few days.

I can’t help but look at the other accounts of this interaction. I love what Luke has to say:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

Here’s the key in my mind: “And when you have turned back.” Not “if” you turn back, “when.” When you get back on track here’s what Jesus wants you to do, don’t miss this: “strengthen your brothers.”

Wow! Seriously? Yes indeed. When your strength returns, when your fear is vanquished, the strength that was always deep inside you will be the solid foundation, the rock upon which the church will be formed.

Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail — and it did not. His weakness as a human caught up with him, as it does with me all too often, but this is temporary.

Lord Jesus, when we make a mess of things, as the pot boils over during this joyful, trying season of the year, help us remember these words of assurance:

the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

 

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Mark: Institution of the Lord’s Supper

Read: Mark 14:22-25

We come to the point where Jesus institutes a new tradition: The Lord’s Supper. This is a significant event among many during this period we refer to as Passion Week. It’s interesting that we only have a few verses to record this huge shift during the Passover feast.

For hundreds of years, the Passover meal has been shaped and molded, a most honored tradition, that all Jews kept in strict compliance and with great joy. This was a great time for all!

Then Jesus enters the scene and changes everything–literally.

The Sacrament

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. Mark 14:22-24

Our understanding of the details of the Passover meal is unimportant to the Gospel writers. I guess they figured out we could get that information elsewhere! The focus here is on this entirely new idea: Jesus gives us His body and blood.

Jesus gets their attention, prays over the bread, breaks it, then tells His disciples this is His body: take it. He willingly offers Himself for us all.

Then he offers the wine as His blood, a new covenant, poured out for the world. Drinking blood was forbidden for Jews anytime, especially during Passover, so this must have been a difficult notion to consider. Yet the lack of dialogue at this point gives me the impression that they got it, this was a simple way of remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection.

No longer will we need to sacrifice animals, the old system is done, enter a completely new season. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice. Done.

The Assurance

“Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:25

I can imagine that Jesus looks around the room and notices His friends are rather gloomy at this point. Just a few verses ago, Jesus announced His betrayer is in their midst, now He’s just explained His body will be broken and His blood shed. It seems He wants to assure them (and us) that His is coming again, that the new tradition is here just as a reminder of better days yet to come. Finally, a bit of good news on a rather difficult night.

Next Steps

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:26

Recently, I attended a Catholic memorial service to honor the life of Friar Aubrey McNeil. It was a beautiful gathering of saints paying tribute to their fallen leader. It’s been many years since I’ve been to a Catholic service, so this is probably routine, but I was amazed at the number of hymns and singing that was included, especially in response to reading scripture or something the leader prompted. As protestants, non-denominational on top of that, we tend to shy away from all these traditions for fear of getting lost in the routine dogma that someone else invented. I’m not advocating hymnals in place of praise and worship time, but I was impressed by their reverence and cooperative spirit. There’s something about being dignified that’s refreshing.

Jesus and His disciples probably sung several psalms during the evening. This was their tradition and it was a beautiful thing. We tend to pride ourselves on individualism to the point that each family carves out its own traditions. This sounds great, but misses the point of unity that Paul talks about in reference to the church.

Traditions

My hope and prayer is that we will hold fast to the breaking of bread and passing the cup of wine in remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. When we pray before every meal, may we pause for a moment and remember. May we, the big WE, join in this prayer together each and every time we stop to eat. Everyone eats. Wouldn’t it be cool if everyone remembered?

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Mark: The Passover with the Disciples

Read: Mark 14:12-21

One of the scenes portrayed frequently: Jesus and His disciples in the upper room to celebrate the Passover. This time, it’s quite different: the bread and wine were used to represent His body and blood. Our familiar “Lord’s Supper” begins not by eating the Seder meal, a tradition created after the time of Jesus (see *Note below), but by completely changing the Passover meal.

We’ll cover the Lord’s Supper tomorrow. For now, let’s look at the preparations and the way Jesus, once again, changes the events of the evening.

Jesus has been telling His disciples all along that this week would come. I’m sure they didn’t think He meant “this” week, only 3 years into His earthly ministry, yet here we are. This is the week.

We begin by finding the place to meet:

So he sent two of his disciples, telling 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 room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” Mark 14:13-15

Did Jesus make arrangements separately without telling His disciples? Or was He foretelling the future to set the events in motion? We could get easily get caught in the cycle of trying to interpret the scene, rather than just allowing John Mark to tell us his view of the preamble to the new celebration.

By this time, I’m confident, the disciples were well known; Jesus, the Teacher, was well known and I’m sure He was welcomed as a celebrity in many circles. Check me on this, but I have no doubt there were many Jesus-fans at that time.

The disciples found the man and the room and began making preparations for the Passover–not knowing how Jesus was about to transform the meal, unaware of these troubling remarks:

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” Mark 14:17-18

Full stop. Up to this point, the even was probably filled with joy, after all, this was the celebration of the Passover, a fantastic time to remember the miraculous deliverance from the Egyptians. Out of nowhere, Jesus is now talking about betrayal. Worse than that, it’s one of the Twelve.

Sadness replaced joy. Each one examined himself and asked Jesus, “Surely you don’t mean me?” Dear Lord, not me?

Jesus doesn’t answer them directly. Instead, each one is left to stew in introspective reflection. They won’t have to wait too long to find out, but these moments must have felt like hours.

As I type this post, we’re a week away from Christmas. Another year of great anticipation for the one holiday we all agree upon as The holiday. For the disciples, Passover is their Christmas celebration. Each year, this feast is remembered as they mark another time of faithfulness, perhaps looking back over the previous months and wondering how well they did in keeping God’s commandments. To stretch this thought: whether they’ve been naughty or nice!

It’s been a pretty good year for the disciples, incredible events, miracles, healing, feeding, on and on. Why would Jesus put such a damper on the festive atmosphere? They simply had no idea of what was about to happen.

As for the one who would betray Jesus:

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.” Mark 14:21

The great good news is that Jesus completed His mission. We don’t have to walk around with a guilty t-shirt. In fact, we get to walk around with a forgiven sign.

Lord, as we enter the week before celebrating your birth, help us to remember all the details, the tragedy, the missteps, the troubles, but mostly, helps us to think about the celebration, the victory, the good news for all mankind.

 

*Jesus Didn’t Eat a Seder Meal

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