Mark: The Passover [Mark 14:12-26]

Mark: The Passover []

Stand for the reading of the word of God. []

In A. W. Tozer’s book, “Knowledge of the Holy”, he gives an excellent example of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will: He says,

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 652: Sovereignty

In Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer attempts to reconcile the seemingly contradictory beliefs of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will:

An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty.

On board the liner are scores of passengers. These are not in chains; neither are their activities determined for them by decree. They are completely free to move about as they will. They eat, sleep, play, lounge about on the deck, read, talk, altogether as they please; but all the while the great liner is carrying them steadily onward toward a predetermined port.

Both freedom and sovereignty are present here, and they do not contradict. So it is, I believe, with man’s freedom and the sovereignty of God. The mighty liner of God’s sovereign design keeps its steady course over the sea of history.

“An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty. On board the liner are scores of passengers. These are not in chains; neither are their activities determined for them by decree. They are completely free to move about as they will. They eat, sleep, play, lounge about the deck, read, talk, altogether as they please; but all the while the great liner is carrying them steadily onward toward a predetermined port. Both freedom and sovereignty are present here, and they do not contradict. So it is, I believe, with man’s freedom and the sovereignty of God. The mighty liner of God’s sovereign design keeps its steady course over the sea of history.”

In this next section of Mark we see these two, God’s sovereignty and man’s freedom enter woven throughout. We see in this that Jesus is the fulfillment of what the Passover meal foreshadowed…freedom from bondage, we see the Lord supper replaced the Passover meal, and that Jesus was not surprised or overcome by his betrayal but that He foresaw everything and all things were going according to God’s plan.

Follow along in your bulletins: as there is an extensive outline. I want to point out some observations and some practical applications in this section.

The Passover: The preparation of the meal []

1. Jesus observed important holy days [v.12] Jesus observed the prescribed holy days of the Jews given to us in the OT. Verse 12 implies that the disciples knew Jesus would keep the Passover and their expectation to prepare for the meal made obvious it was a common practice of Jesus. While the Jews had many feasts, the feast of Pentecost, the feast of Tabernacles, and the feast of Passover were the three main feasts that all Jewish men were required to attend in a year. You can research those feast in the book of Exodus. But the point is Jesus did everything the law required in observing holy days unto the Lord. Jesus fully obeyed the law.

Practical application: while these required feasts no longer pertain to us, under the new covenant, there are practical applications to this for us. One, there is the obedience to the word of God. We are not saved by obeying God’s word but as saved people we obey God’s word because we love Him and want to obey Him for what He has done for us. Two, we attend corporate worship regularly, Hebrews tells us “do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together. I know corporate worship is not the only time we should be worshiping, but we should not neglect it either. We should be in church regularly.

2. Jesus is thorough in His knowledge and preparation of the meal [v.13-15] We don’t have time to get into the Passover meal in depth, if you’re interested in knowing more look to [; ; ] for more detail. We see here Jesus thoroughly makes preparation for the meal, not only for the meal itself but for planning on when and where to partake. Some have argued that this doesn’t necessarily represent Jesus foreknowledge and sovereignty in having the room prepared…some say He just planned ahead of time with the home owner. To me that’s arguing over spilt milk, either way doesn’t really make much difference the point is the same, the Lord is careful to look ahead and plan.

This has practical application as well: while we do live moment by moment by faith that doesn’t mean we live irresponsible. We live as though we are not promised tomorrow yet we plan as if tomorrow will come. There’s a fine line of living to provide for our families and living moment by moment. if we’re not careful we can take either to far. The Lord Jesus lived moment by moment by faith yet planned ahead as well.

3. The availability of the room for the use of the Lord [v.16] This can sometimes be overlooked. The head of this household set an example for us, by not only making the room available for Jesus to use, but by also having it prepared for His use. You can see the practical implications in that itself I hope. We should be available at any moment for the Lord’s use…and also prepared for His use. The backdrop is the Passover meal, at this time in Jesus day, the Passover meal was celebrated by reclining at a table…over time Jews changed it. But the original institution of the meal was to be eaten with your clothes and shoes on read to depart…i.e. you were to be ready to go if God said go. We should be available and ready to go and do as the Lord wills

4. The obedience of the disciples to Jesus’ instructions [v.16] This may have been awkward for the disciples to go up to someone and tell them we’re going to use your place for a meal, IDK, it seems awkward to me anyway. But the disciples obey Jesus instructions without hesitation. Sometimes obeying God’s word can put us in uncomfortable situations, but often those awkward moments and uncomfortable situations serve to grow us in the Lord. It’s almost as if the Lord is asking us, “will you trust me in this even if it makes you uncomfortable?”

Speaking of uncomfortable situations…Jesus puts His disciples in an uncomfortable situation to prepare them for one…after they get the meal ready and are in the middle of the meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal.

The Passover: The prediction of betrayal []

1. Jesus attitude toward Judas.

a. His awareness of what Judas would do. Here’s God’s sovereignty on display. Jesus is fully aware of what Judas would do. Jesus says one of you will betray me…not might…will. Even though Judas has not done it yet, it’s determined in his heart to do so. We’re quick to judge Judas for what he did, but how often do we determine in mind to do what God would not approve of, all we need is opportunity. Sinclair Ferguson said, “when temptation, desire, and opportunity come together we are often overwhelmed by it. Temptation with no desire, opportunity without desire you can escape but when all three come together, we’re often swept up by it.” By making this statement Jesus is making an...

b. His effort to call Judas to reconsider. Judas hasn’t gone through with it yet, Jesus calls Judas to reconsider. Just stop and think about this for a second. If you knew someone was going to turn you over to a group of people who would kill you, would you invite them to dinner? Of course not! So why did Jesus? Because that’s His nature, the nature of God is slow to anger, patient, kind and forgiving. Imploring people to reconsider their actions and turn to Him. Jesus is doing the same for the man who would betray Him, extending a hand of mercy…Judas would not take it. But this is not just for Judas, it’s for His disciples as well.

2. Jesus relationship with His disciples reveals.

a. His prompting of them to examine themselves. Upon saying one will betray Him they all begin to ‘is it I?’ ‘surely not me?’ Jesus is prompting them to examine themselves. At this point, Jesus doesn’t give them any indication who it is only that one of them will betray Him. They’ve all been with Jesus from the beginning, they’ve all heard the same sermons, learned the same lessons, seen the same miracles, yet one of them in the group is not a genuine follower of Christ.

The’re all with Christ but one of them is not in Christ. This should give us pause, to examine ourselves…are we in Christ? A person can be in church every week, in bible study regularly, involved in church activities, but not be in Christ. Judas is a prime example. Look how close Judas was to Jesus yet was not saved.

I shared with the football squad Thursday night about what it means to be in Christ. And I shared with them that the Christian life is not about you and I trying to live for Christ, but it’s about trusting Christ to life for us and through us and in us. When we trust in our own ability to life the Christian life, we fail, we get burnt out, we get frustrated, but when we trust Christ to life for us, through us, and in us…it’s no longer our strength we’re living in…it’s living in His strength.

b. His care for them in preparing them for Judas’ act of betrayal. Jesus is preparing the disciples to experience a devastating event. I find comfort in this, that even when Christ knows we will experience devastating things in our life, He’s preparing us to be ready for it…even if at the time it seems like all is lost. The disciples will scatter and shaken but not destroyed…they will be restored and change the world in the power of Christ.

3. The nature of betrayal.

a. It was foreknown by Jesus. Our sins never surprise Him. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, Jesus knew Peter would deny Him three times, Jesus knew the disciples would be scattered even though the disciples said that wouldn’t happen. The next section in Mark, Peter says I won’t fail you Jesus…well he did…but that doesn’t surprise Jesus. Have you ever done something, or sinned, like responded to someone harshly, or over reacted, or gave into temptation, and then afterwards said, “I can’t believe I did that or acted that way.”? I have, but it doesn’t surprise Jesus. But it does...

b. It hurt Jesus. Our sin always does. The bible tells us when believers sin it griefs the Holy Spirit. Our sin always does. When we sin against our Lord it’s a betrayal of the one who paid the ransom for our sin. We don’t have to be re-justified or saved all over again when we sin, Christ blood covers our sin once for all, but we do grieve the Holy Spirit when we sin. Therefore our sin hurts Jesus. Judas’ sin...

c. It served to give Jesus to His enemies. The nature of betrayal always does. Betrayal is always giving into the enemy. Judas gave into the enemy by betraying Jesus, we give into the enemy when we give into temptation and sin against our Lord…that’s the nature of betrayal, giving into the enemy. even thought it’s giving into the enemy...

d. It was incorporated into God’s plan. He makes the wrath of men praise Him. This and the next point are kind of where God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility collide. Even though Judas gave into the enemy and betrayed the Lord, the Lord incorporated it into God’s plan…even man’s wickedness is used to serve and bring praise to God. but...

e. It was not excused, nor could be blamed on God. People are responsible for their wrong doing, even if God turns it into good for His over all plan. this is where we start to scratch our head and stumble. Don’t trip over this, just because Judas betrayal was turned into something good for God’s overall plan does not excuse the sin…God’s sovereign over all but man is still responsible for their own actions. There is still a great deal of mystery involved in this, I don’t know exactly how it all works precisely but I know God’s sovereign over all and man is responsible for their actions.

f. It had grave consequences for Judas [better not to have been born]. Betrayal always has consequences. Judas will spend eternity in Hell for his sin, constant betrayal of the Lord with no repentance and faith leads to grave consequences. After this, Judas leaves John tells us and He then...

The Passover: The institution of the Lord’s supper []

1. The supper was instituted by the Lord and intended for the church to keep. Recorded for us in ; ; , and is the institution of the Lord’s Supper… Christ instituted it and it was intended for the church to celebrate until Christ returns. Paul wrote in , “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death till He returns.”

2. It replaced the Passover meal and thus has meaning for the new people of God. The Passover meal itself had great meaning for the Jewish people, all the elements involved reminded them of the bondage they were in during their time in Egypt. It served as a reminder of how God delivered them from their captives and gave them a new life as a free people. The Lord supper serves the same,

3. The elements, bread and wine, represent Jesus body and blood, and His death as a sacrificial atonement for sin. Just as we were dead in our trespasses and sins Christ sacrifice served as atonement for the sins of the world, and the shedding off His blood covers our sin. The Lord’s supper serves to remind us of the sacrifice Christ gave on our behalf.

4. It represents the ratification of a new covenant between God and His people made possible by the work of Jesus. It wasn’t as if God’s first plan in the Old covenant didn’t pan out so He had to come up with a new plan… this was God’s plan from the beginning. To establish a covenant with people of all tribe, tongue, and nation made possible by the work of Jesus Christ. It always makes me cringe when I hear people dismiss the OT as if it’s irrelevant. Without the OT we can’t full understand what the NT proclaimed. God’s plan from the beginning was to bless all the people of the world through His Son Jesus that would be born of the offspring of Abraham.

5. It reminds us of Jesus promise to return and establish His kingdom. Jesus says here in Mark “I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” During the Passover feast four different cups were used, all representing different things, the fourth and final cup, the cup Jesus refused to drink from, was the cup of consummation and life in the promised land of God. For that cup Jesus says, “I’ll wait to drink it,” He would first have to drink the cup of God’s wrath upon sin.

Jesus pointed His disciples to a future hope. He was facing incredible suffering, persecution, and betrayal, but he would be victorious when he rose from the grave. This victory would be complete and he celebrated with a new redeemed community in the kingdom of God.

As they ended the supper they sang a song as customary, the traditional Passover hymn would have been one of the Hallel Psalms [] Which one? Here’s how they go… starts, “Not to us O Lord, but to your name give glory.” says, “praise the Lord for His mercy and kindness is toward us.” proclaims, “give thanks to the Lord for His mercy endures forever.” “The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” “The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.”

Just imagine the Lord Jesus singing these songs with the cross only a few hours away. All of this transpired according to God’s plan, this passage is a great lesson on the providence of God and the freedom of humans. God knew of Judas’ betrayal from the beginning, yet He allowed it to take place without causing it; He worked it into His plan, reminding us of God’s overall sovereignty and man’s responsibility.

{{{R.B. Kuiper illustrated God’s sovereignty and human responsibility like this...

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 653: Sovereignty

I liken them to two ropes going through two holes in the ceiling and over a pulley above. If I wish to support myself by them, I must cling to them both. If I cling only to one and not the other, I go down.

I read the many teachings of the Bible regarding God’s election, predestination, his chosen, and so on. I read also the many teachings regarding “whosoever will may come” and urging people to exercise their responsibility as human beings. These seeming contradictions cannot be reconciled by the puny human mind. With childlike faith, I cling to both ropes, fully confident that in eternity I will see that both strands of truth are, after all, of one piece

}}}

Jesus institutes the Lord supper, a picture of restoration in the midst of betrayal. I don’t know if you’ve thought about this context or not, but how beautiful a picture it is, the Lord offers restoration to those who betray Him.