The Big Picture

I. Introduction:

When we follow the Servant, it is important to remember that God knows the big picture and He is in control. As we look at the verses today, the apostles did not understand what was about to happen, their actions were more toward their desires, and less to the needs of Jesus. Mark 14:12-42 I am not going to read this in its entirety, we will break it into five sections. As we look to the verses today, I want you to see how the apostles are responding throughout the events leading to His arrest. There is a lot to cover, but I want to focus on application to our Lives. Mark ‘s writing here is historical, its purpose is to give an account of what happened., but as we know for any historical event especially Biblical, there is a parallelism that we can learn for our lives.

Winston Churchill wrote “Those who do not learn form history are doomed to repeat it.”

Today we will focus more on the Apostles, what we learn and apply to our lives when it comes to Jesus is covered more through communion and Eastern Sunday sermons, what the apostles experience can be applied to our everyday lives.

Prayer

II Preparation

A. Mark 14:12-16  And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’  And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.”  And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

B. Jesus was preparing for the passover,: This is a preamble to the theme that is to come, preparation for the arrest.

C. All five of the events are in some way preparing the Apostles for what is to come. These verses show us that Jesus will make preparation for us as well.

III Betrayal

A. Mark 14:17-21 “And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.””

B. Announces to the whole group that someone that was eating with Him would betray Him. Lets look a little closer at the situation as it is recorded in John 13:21-30 “After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night”

I. The initial announcement of betrayal was loud enough for all to hear, they all heard the one of the twelve would be the one to betray Him, and when we think about it, they all did, Judas turned Him over, but they all ran during the arrest. The dipping of bread and handing it to Judas was likely at a lower tone that only John and Judas heard, it was likely difficult to talk over everyone talking discussing the fact they they would not betray Him, they would rather die. We see this because one Peter asked John to ask Jesus who it was, and two later the other apostles were notably confused about what Jesus was saying to Judas when He said “What you do do quickly”.

II. It is notable that Satan entered into Judas at the time he took the morsel, Judas was confirming the betrayal. Also noted that Judas was not involved in the last supper.

III. This is not the first time Jesus prophesied to the apostles about His death, not to mention they had the prophets that spoke about it in the old testament.

C. The apostles are so focused on what they think Jesus is trying to say, that they cannot hear what he is actually saying. How often do we hear an initial call, the missionary, a person in need, but we do not hear what God wants from us, because we are making too much noise talking about the call.

IV Communion

A. Mark 14:22-25 “And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.””

B. I am not going to get into this very far, but take a moment and think about what was going through the apostles minds. They may have understood that Christ would die, after all everyone dies, but they did not understand the time was at hand.

V Warning

A. Mark 14:26-31 “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.”

B. When Jesus presents the fact that one will betray Him, everyone is questioning is it me, When he mentions that they will all scatter, Peter responds with self-assertion and conceit rather than humility. It is easy for us to say we will never turn our backs on Jesus in times of persecution, and we will not know what we will do until it happens, but how often do we turn our backs when He calls on us.

VI Praying

A. Mark 14:32-42 “And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

B. There is a lot to talk about in these few versus. Jesus's prayer is full of examples for us and can be a sermon in itself.. The apostles feel asleep . Jesus was praying for His ability to follow through with what was to come, and expected the apostles to do the same, pray for their ability to deal with what was to come. He knows their need for strength to follow God

C. I do not know about you but when I pray before bed, I usually fall asleep praying, although I do not think that is all too bad, provided I have time during the day that I pray. I struggle during the day, and although sleeping is not an issue, focus is an issue. We as humans are easily distracted and we have to have the Holy Spirit’s help to keep focused. Luke says that Jesus prayed until “His sweat became like drops of blood”. I cannot imagine being that intense with prayer, all though we should all try.

VII. Conclusion

A. these five events are all to prepare the apostles for what was to come. Many of the things that Jesus said and did, the apostles really did not understand the significance until after Jesus ascended and they were given the Holy Spirit.

B. What can we learn from this? Things that happen in our life are preparing us for what is ahead. The apostles had no idea that now was the time for Jesus to be persecuted and die, they were more focused on them selves. When things happen to us, we need to be open to see what God’s intent for us might be, but when we cannot see it we need to have faith the God knows the big picture and will get us there.

Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We are to live daily for Jesus, by following His lead.