Key Verses: 2, 3, 7, 13, 18, 25, 29, 34, 44,
52, 61,
It almost seems strange to write
about Jesus’ last days on earth when we celebrated His first day only
yesterday. I pray that you were able to keep Him central, even in the middle of
the flying paper and excess calories. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my
wife, my two children and their spouses, and my five grandchildren (and an
“adopted” friend of the family).
Jesus was getting ready for the great
feast of Judaism. It celebrated their birth as a nation, their exodus from
Egypt. And at the same time His enemies are plotting His execution. They had
fear that riots would break out and the Romans would take over control and they
would lose their place in power.
While they are plotting His death,
Jesus is being anointed with oil and perfume, an ancient spa treatment! He is
at the house of a societal outcast. He feels right at home. Some in attendance
balk at the expenditure of resources on such an expensive gesture. What a
waste, they say. Jesus blesses this woman and the gesture. Sometimes wealth can
be used to bless in a way that seems extravagant, but it is OK. This is the
exception rather than the rule. Not many times does Jesus commend the “waste”
of resources. And guys, I don’t think a boat for her fits in this category,
sorry!
Judas in there and takes his final
steps toward his rebellion and suicide. He tries to force Jesus’ hand. You
can’t force God.
The second predicted encounter
happens during this final week. This time it is to secure a place for the
Passover meal in the over-crowded city of Jerusalem. The encounter happens and
they make preparations. But even with all this closeness, friendship, even
intimacy that Jesus shared with His disciples, Judas chose to betray Jesus. And
Jesus reveals this truth in such an intimate way. He uses food and drink that
is being shared as part of their sacred time together in preparation for the
Passover celebration. He says that it would be better if Judas had not been
born. Not much worse than not being born.
This is my body and my blood. Sharing
this meal was an act of consecration of Himself and of the disciples. He is the
center. Without “eating Him” there is no salvation. We can talk about exactly
what Jesus meant in detail, but it is clear He calls us to share in His
essence. They conclude the meal by singing together. This meal was a fairly
traditional meal with many elements that were identical for hundreds of years.
They shared together to remember the past intervention of God in their lives.
Jesus shares the meal again letting them know that His intervention would be a
game-changer.
The aloneness of Jesus during this
most difficult hour surprised me. He has His best friends, His closest
confidants with Him, and He is alone as He prays. He pulls away leaving the
disciples to join in His vigil. They are to stay alert; He is to struggle in
prayer. Their job was simple; His was close to impossible. Have you ever felt
alone in the middle of a crowd? Have you ever had such turmoil in your soul
that you had to just pull away by yourself? And Jesus even knows what is going
to happen next. Or perhaps it is because
He knows what happens next that He is in such soulful turmoil.
Judas who left their last meal before
it was completed returns. This is one return to which Jesus was not looking
forward. Jesus knew the injustice and indignity to which He would be subjected,
and yet He willing surrendered. And the betrayal happens with the symbol of
intimacy: a kiss. This is perhaps the first recorded “kiss of death.” And the
first recorded streaker! The streaker was probably Mark himself. Notice that he
often names characters, and yet this one remains nameless. Would you want to
attach your name to this?
Jesus’ enemies want to kill Him so
much that they throw charges at Him hoping one will stick. The one that does is
the statement connected to the Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah.
Messiah will come in the clouds. They knew exactly what Jesus was claiming. He was
claiming to be God.
Jesus’ enemies respond with
injustice. Jesus stayed true to God; Peter betrayed Him. Jesus willingly took
the beatings and indignity; Peter pushes against any suffering with words of
denial and rejection of the truth. Peter was so proud that when his betrayal is
complete he breaks. Tears.