Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Mark 14:12–26 (2)

Introduction:

“He gets us…all of us.” Did this Superbowl commercial “get” Jesus?

THE STORY UNFOLDS IN THREE SCENES – SO LET’S LOOK AT THE PREPARATION, THE BETRAYAL, AND FINALLY, THE MEAL.

I) The Preparation (vv. 12-16)

A. The Room is Ready: A Setting for Heartache

i. The Urgency: Time is approaching for the Passover

1. The disciples ask a question that sounds urgent – why? (vs. 12)

2. Passover had to be celebrated within the walls of Jerusalem by midnight

ii. The Irony of a Ready Room: A vacant room…for Jesus’ death (vv. 14, 15)

1. Three times the word “room” is used – once here, twice in Luke (Luke 2:7)

Luke 2:7 ESV

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

2. A side note: At Jesus’ birth, no room; now there is a room, but for betrayal

B. The Meal is Ready: A Meal to Tell the Story

i. Passover was a meal that reenacted the story of redemption

1. Passover was not just a meal – it retold the story of the Exodus

2. So, it was carefully scripted, every detail had meaning and symbolism

ii. Passover communicated God’s provision of a substitute Savior

1. God’s anger was coming into Egypt –no one was exempt

2. Either the oldest son or a lamb died; But God provided shedding of blood

THEY ARE PREPARING FOR PASSOVER, THE MEAL IN WHICH GOD PROVIDED THE BLOOD OF A LAMB AS THE MEANS OF SAVING HIS PEOPLE. SCENE 2 BEGINS IN VS. 17

II) The Betrayal (vv.17-21)

A. The Sellout: Handing Jesus Over

i. The Closeness of the traitor

1. Jesus drops an absolute bombshell: one will betray Jesus (vs. 18)

2. The unnamed guilty one is only described by proximity to Jesus (vs. 20)

3. EXAMPLE: Having someone into your home who then mocks/ridicules?

4. Fellowship & food…and treachery (Ps. 41:9)

Psalm 41:9 ESV

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

B. The Deeper Problem: We Are All The Same

i. Who is the real villain? (vs. 19)

1. The disciples are more concerned that THEY aren’t the guilty one!

2. Moments later: they all fail, illustrating the depth of human weakness

ii. The line of good and evil cuts through every human heart

1. We like to think: “Judas=Bad; others=good”

2. we stand up to scrutiny is by comparing ourselves to others

3. QUOTE: The line between good & evil cuts through every human heart.

THAT BRINGS US TO THE FINAL SCENE IN THIS STORY, WHICH BEGINS IN VS. 22.

III) The Meal (vv. 22-26)

A. Jesus is the true and greater Meal (vv. 22-24)

i. Jesus is the Matzah Bread who sanctifies us by his righteousness

1. the bread: “Who sanctified us by his commandments” (vs. 22)

2. Jesus will be the one to credit righteousness through HIS obedience

ii. Jesus is the cup with “blood” that is for redemption (vv. 23-24)

1. The cup that Jesus blessed was the cup of redemption

2. Jesus was the one who shed his blood for the forgiveness!

3. EXAMPLE: “Jesus gets us. All of us.” NO: Jesus REDEEMS US!

B. Jesus inaugurates a True and Greater Covenant (vv. 25-26)

i. Jesus secures the forgiveness of sins through the shedding of his blood

1. The wine that isn’t wine? A symbol of a symbol?

2. Jesus quotes the OT to show: (Ex. 24:8-11)

Exodus 24:8–11 ESV

And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.

i. Like Moses, he is creating a new and greater people

ii. Like with Moses, his blood will seal a new covenant

iii. Like Moses, Jesus eats a meal with his new leaders…but they don’t see God

ii. Jesus anticipates a new and greater fellowship meal with God

1. BUT: Jesus & the singing disciples anticipate it the final feast!

2. The hope of heaven: One day, you and I, and our loved ones in Christ…

Transition:

Conclusion

A call to faith: We experience this by taking hold of it in faith, and then knowing the assurance of forgiveness!