MARK LESSON 30
We will begin this lesson in Mark 14:17.
Mark 14:17 "And in the evening he cometh with the twelve."
You remember in the last lesson that, Jesus had sent two of the
disciples to prepare the feast, and they must have gone back to tell
Jesus that all was ready. Now, all of them came back to town with
Jesus.
Mark 14:18 "And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say
unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me."
Jesus knew the thoughts and intents of Judas' heart. Jesus knew
who this was, but didn't say the name, because the others would have
jumped Him. Don't you know that this was difficult to hear? Judas'
guilt had to have already begun. To eat and drink unworthily is a
very serious thing, and that was just what happened here.
Mark 14:19 "And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him
one by one, [Is] it I? and another [said, Is] it I?"
This was to be a joyful time, but the sorrow they saw in
Jesus and this sad thing He told them troubled them greatly. Each
started examining himself, and then asked Jesus, "Is it I?"
Mark 14:20 "And he answered and said unto them, [It is] one of
the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish."
We read in some of the other gospels a little more detailed
information on this. Jesus told that it was one of the twelve
disciples. Several of the disciples were close enough to dip into the
bowl with Him, so that didn't narrow it down much. This would be the
night the Lord's supper would be established. John 13:26 "Jesus
answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped
[it]. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave [it] to Judas Iscariot,
[the son] of Simon." You see, there was really no hiding for very long
who this betrayer was.
Mark 14:21 "The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him:
but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it
for that man if he had never been born."
This was another prophecy of Jesus' death on the cross. Surely,
Judas would soon say himself, "It would have been better if I had
never been born." Even though this was part of God's plan from the
foundation of the earth, Judas chose to be part of this. Judas
activated his free will to get involved. God foreknew that Judas
would do this, but Judas had a choice.
Mark 14:22 "And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed,
and brake [it], and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my
body."
We see, here, the institution of the Lord's Supper. Jesus is the
passover Lamb. This was teaching the disciples that this bread is
symbolic of His body. It is very important that this bread be
unleavened bread, because Jesus was without sin. "Leaven" symbolizes sin.
Another reason this must be unleavened bread is that the bread on the
table of the Hebrews for eight days during this celebration was
unleavened bread. Notice here, also, that Jesus prayed over the bread
before He passed it to the disciples. This should be the order in our
communion, as well. Pray over it, pass it, and then take it. Jesus
was without sin, so the bread must be unleavened.
Mark 14:23 "And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he
gave [it] to them: and they all drank of it."
Jesus had called Himself the bread and drink of life which is
actually necessary to sustain life on this earth. He is Life. When
you partake of Jesus, you partake of everlasting Life. The blood of
Jesus is the element of salvation. Without the shedding of blood
there is no remission. You see, the shed blood of Jesus placed on the
mercy seat in heaven is what saves you and me. In the Scripture above
it says, "shed for many". It was actually shed for whosoever will
partake of His Life Eternal. This New Testament is a last will and
testament of Jesus Christ willing to His followers His Life, to live
with Him and inherit the things the Father has provided.
Mark 14:24 "And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new
testament, which is shed for many." Mark 14:25 "Verily I say unto you,
I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I
drink it new in the kingdom of God."
We know that every word the Lord uttered was to teach us, as well
as the disciples, something. This statement "fruit of the vine" lets
us know that grape juice would be used to symbolize the blood of
Jesus. Jesus had just told the disciples that the bread was symbolic
of His body and the wine was symbolic of His blood. In the kingdom of
God, we shall eat food at the Master's table set before us. We read
of the river of life which we shall drink from and the tree of life
which we shall eat fruit from. All of these elements symbolize
eternal life with Him where He provides all our needs.
Mark 14:26 "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into
the mount of Olives."
Notice here, also, that the disciples and Jesus sang. This
"mount of Olives" is where the garden of Gethsemane is, and it is in
very close proximity of Jerusalem. It is, in fact, a hill
overlooking the old city of Jerusalem. It is called the mount of
Olives, because it is covered with olive trees.
Mark 14:27 "And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended
because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the
shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."
What was truly intended by offended was that the disciples would
suddenly be filled with doubt. They did not even expect the authorities to
take Jesus. They thought Jesus would win that battle. He did,
but they did not understand the victory. Jesus spoke, again, a parable
that they would surely understand. He (the shepherd) would be smitten
and the sheep (believers) who followed Him would scatter. Sheep must
have a Shepherd to keep them together.
Mark 14:28 "But after that I am risen, I will go before you into
Galilee."
Galilee was home to these disciples. Jesus spoke prophetically,
here, about His resurrection from the grave. He had told them over and
over of this, but they did not understand. They had never seen any
one resurrected; and they thought, perhaps, that He was speaking of
life after death in the end days. Jesus loves these disciples and
tried to comfort them that He would return.
Mark 14:29 "But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be
offended, yet [will] not I."
Peter was a very excitable man. He was one of the three (Peter,
James, and John) who saw things, like the transfiguration, that the
other disciples had not been allowed to see. Surely he who was called
the "rock", would be strong enough not to run when the time of the
crucifixion came.
Mark 14:30 "And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee,
That this day, [even] in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou
shalt deny me thrice."
The very strongest of the lot, Peter, would get afraid, deny
Jesus, and even curse in the process. Jesus told Peter here, not
only would you deny me, but you would deny me three times. At that
moment, while Peter was with Jesus, he could not believe that he would do
such a thing.
Mark 14:31 "But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die
with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they
all."
"Vehemently" was used here to show us that Peter strongly answered
back that he would not turn. Peter and all the disciples were ready
to fight for Jesus, but they did not understand Jesus' turning Himself
over to be crucified. All of the disciples said they would not desert
Jesus. The crucifixion of the cross was a horrible death, and when
they got to this, they changed their minds. It was easy to say they
would not deny Him then, because the great pressure had not been applied.
Notes
Mark 30 Questions
1. Which of the disciples met with Jesus in the upper room?
2. While they were eating, what sad news did Jesus bring them?
3. Why did Jesus not call Judas by name in the accusation?
4. What did the disciples each ask Jesus?
5. Who did Jesus say it was in verse 20?
6. What would be established forever on this night?
7. In St. John, what was said that left no doubt who it was?
8. What did Jesus say about the one who would betray Him?
9. What statement would Judas feel like saying himself after the
terrible guilt sets in?
10. How long had this been planned by God?
11. Why did this not make Judas innocent?
12. As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and gave it to
them, saying what?
13. What was Jesus instituting here?
14. Jesus was what at this feast?
15. Why was it so important to use unleavened bread?
16. What should be the order in our communion services?
17. What was the juice in the cup symbolic of?
18. In verse 24, what did Jesus say the cup was?
19. What were two elements used here that are necessary to sustain
life?
20. Without the shedding of blood there is no _____________________.
21. Who does the many in "shed for many" include?
22. Where will Jesus drink this cup, again, with the disciples?
23. What makes us realize we should use grape juice?
24. What did they do before they left and went to the mount of Olives?
25. What city does the mount of Olives overlook?
26. What did it mean by the disciples being offended?
27. What happens to the sheep when the shepherd is done away with?
28. What positive promise did He make these disciples about His
resurrection?
29. What did Peter say to Jesus about his loyalty?
30. Why was Peter considered the strongest of the group?
31. How many times did Jesus tell Peter that he would deny Him before
the cock crowed twice?
32. What did the word "vehemently" try to convey to us about Peter's
answer?
Notes
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