Mark 14:12-25 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Mark 14:12-25. With an open mind and a humble heart, read this passage and see what sticks out to you in this passage. Is there a verse, a phrase, or a lesson you think the Holy Spirit may be highlighting for you in this passage? After you’ve thought about the passage yourself a bit, read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Mark 14:12-16 (NIV)
12 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
13 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.
14 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?’
15 He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
On verses 12-16: Before his disciples made any preparations for the Passover, Jesus was already prepared and had a plan. Great leaders don’t just rise to the occasion. Great leaders also anticipate and plan ahead.
Mark 14:17-21 (NIV)
17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.
18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me–one who is eating with me.”
19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely not I?”
20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me.
21 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.”
On verses 17-21: In response to Jesus’ prediction that one of his disciples would betray him, each disciple responds, “Surely not I?” (v19) Yet all of us in our own way have betrayed Jesus. All of us who have ever dipped our hand into the communion bowl can say that at some point, and many points, in our lives, we have turned our backs on Jesus. As Jesus suggests in verse 21, those who turn their backs on the Son of Man deserve to be punished severely and separated from God forever. But amazingly, as Jesus himself will remind us in the verses that follow, it was for sinners and traitors like you and me that Jesus came and sacrificed his life. God’s mercy is greater than our mistakes.
Mark 14:22-25 (NIV)
22 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.”
23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.
25 “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.”
On verses 22-25: Even when Jesus knew that he was going to be betrayed, even when he knew that incomparable suffering awaited him, Jesus still gave thanks (v22-23) and carried on with the mission he was given, serving and giving his life for the very people who would turn their backs on him. I am amazed by the humility and unselfishness of Jesus.
How could Jesus keep a thankful heart and continue to live unselfishly even while knowing how much pain awaited him? What kept Jesus going was His vision. While Jesus had in view his impending suffering, Jesus also had in view a longer term picture – how one day, after his suffering was done, he would be with his Father again and could drink again of the fruit of the vine anew in his Father’s kingdom. Hebrews 12 speaks of the vision of Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” In other words, having a beautiful and compelling vision of the future helps us endure great pain in the present.
When you’re going through a deeply painful time, remember that in Jesus Christ heaven’s consolation, redemption and joy are waiting. Weeping may remain for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Jesus, it is only by Your broken body and Your shed blood that all my betraying ways could be forgiven. Thank You for being the greatest leader whose vision of the future helped you endure unimaginable pain in the present. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
