Mark 14:1-52

Big Idea:

We can worship in brokenness because God’s in control.

Intro:

Good morning Church Online! Thanks for joining us today.

Today, we’re going to talk about worship. So, what is worship? Many times we start our church services with a time of singing that we call worship - giving praise to God using the tool of music.

When I first became a Christian, I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t like the worship part of church service. I could give you more than a few reasons why I felt that way, but it all changed on the Good Friday 2004.

Btw, some of you have heard this story before. I apologize. I’m not the Dos Equis man… I’m not very interesting. I run out of stories...

And did I just talk about beer in church? Yes I did. Does that mean God is cool with drunkenness. Absolutely not. That being said, drinking alcohol isn’t a sin - Jesus and His disciples will be drinking wine in our passage. And no, it wasn’t just grape juice. And this has absolutely nothing to do with what we’re talking about today...

Anyways, back to Good Friday. I was attending a very large church on the campus of SDSU. It was a newer church started by an ex-San Diego Charger named Miles McPherson. And we were gathered in the outdoor amphitheater. Don’t worry - that’s my only reference to football today!

As usual, I stood, with my hands in my pockets, singing along every now and then. Possibly thinking… maybe I should’ve showed up late so that I’d skip the music part (a strategy I’d used before… some of y’all know what I’m talking about).

Anyways… it’s about the 3rd song and something begins to stir in my heart. I close my eyes and listen to the music. And I hear God speak to my heart, “Lift your hands in worship.”

Excuse me!?! I don’t do that.

And I hear a gentle whisper say, “Am I not worthy?”

And as I thought about all that Jesus had done for me… how He had radically saved and changed my life… even though I had rejected Him for years… My heart KNEW, “He is worthy!”

And for the first time, I lifted my hands in worship - an outward expression of my praise to the One who is worthy.

The apostle John saw this truth about worship in a heavenly vision...

Revelation 5:11–12 ESV

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

And I think most of us get that, even if we’ve never verbally expressed it before. However, I also think other things get in the way of worship. Two things - specifically - that show up in Mark 14, where we are currently at as we travel through the Book of Mark on Sunday mornings...

Look here at the first two verse...

Mark 14:1–2 ESV

It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”

Exegesis:

You know what I love about Scripture? It’s truth. It’s not a sanitized holy fantasy… it’s real life. We see that here. One moment we’re talking about a very special worship event (the week of the Passover Feast) and the next moment people are plotting to kill the Son of God.

Isn’t that real life? Some of us today (hopefully all of us) are going to leave church encouraged and ready to worship God with everything we have!

Then, we’re gonna get home and discover the dog left you a special present on the carpet for being gone all morning.

Or, we finally get a new house only to find nothing works.

We get a raise at work and think, “We can finally pay down debt or buy groceries without stressing out…” but then, inflation skyrockets.

I guess I mention this because it reminds me we can trust God’s world. It gives us hope for a broken world - for real life. Worship is not reserved for a religious-utopian-bubble.

Mark 14:3–9 ESV

And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

This is one of my favorite stories of worship. It’s a scene of extreme devotion and sacrificial worship. Three hundred denarii was approximately worth a year’s salary. How many of us are willing to worship God like that?

But, like everything in the Bible, this story happens in real life. And as soon as this act of worship happens, it is immediately criticized… and criticized by other followers of Jesus! And then enters an opportunity for this woman (who the apostle John tells us is Mary, the sister of Martha) to be discouraged. Maybe to choose not to worship anymore because of the hurt...

But Jesus instantly comes to her defense...

Side note: In what was likely a room full of men, Jesus elevates and empowers Mary. I mention that because, despite what our culture may say, biblical Christianity has always been a defender of women.

… He comes to her defense and says, “Her worship is beautiful.” The use of “beautiful” is similar to the way the disciples walked by the temple and said, “Teacher, aren’t these stones and buildings beautiful?” (Mark 13:1). To which Jesus said, “That’s all gonna be destroyed.” But here, He says, “This WORSHIP is what I think is beautiful!”

And this brings up the first thing I believe keeps us from worship…

1. We think worship can only happen in perfect circumstances.

I can only worship God when things are good.

I can only worship God when I’m at church.

I can only worship when they play the songs I like - I confess, I’m guilty of this!

… but remember, Jesus is ALWAYS worthy of worship. Don’t believe the lie that we need perfect circumstances to worship. And here’s something that’ll help us think rightly about worship… Know that…

Worship is never wasted or unseen.

Sometimes our worship will be criticized and mocked. And sometimes that criticism will come from God’s own people. That hurts. But know this… Jesus sees you. He sees your heart of worship. And your worship is beautiful to Him...

Two Christmases ago, I took my son Kade shopping for gifts. He went to the Lego store in the mall (Brickswap) to buy minifigures as gifts for his friends. He bought this really cool Stormtrooper.

As I was helping him wrap up the presents, our demonically-possessed dog, Rocky, had snuck into the bag and started chewing up the figurine. By the time I noticed had become like Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump.

Kade started crying. I was like, “Dude, it’s only $20. We’ll go get something else for your friend.” He looked at me with these alligator tears and said, “Dad, I bought that for you.” My heart melted as I saw his heart. It’s probably the most beautiful gift I’ve received.

And that’s how God sees our worship, regardless of the circumstances or criticism. He is worthy of our worship and we mustn’t miss the opportunity to show God our heart of gratitude because it’s beautiful to Him!

Some of us hold back worship because we’re afraid of what others will think. Forget about that. God is worthy of your worship.

He is worthy of lifting your hands in public.

He is worthy of being publicly criticized because you decided to get baptized in Jesus’ name.

He is worthy of leaving every earthly security in order to obey Him when He says, “Come, follow Me.”

But not only is our worship beautiful to God, but it also has eternal purpose… that’s because...

Worship tells others that God is real.

When the apostle John tells the story of Mary’s worship, he says...

John 12:3 ESV

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

I love that last part… “The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” You know what that tells us? One thing it says is our worship impacts others. Now, add what the apostle Paul says about our worship… [worship is a form of prophesying]

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 ESV

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

Our worship helps others worship. Therefore, we need to worship regardless of circumstance or criticism because it furthers God’s Kingdom. It helps others find eternal life! It shows people God is real!

Church, what message does your worship preach?

When people watch your life of worship, do they think God is real?

When they walk into our church, do they think God is dead or boring based on our worship?

Like Mary, our worship has the opportunity to preach the gospel!

Mark 14:10–11 ESV

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

More real life happening here...

Mark 14:12–25 ESV

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. 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.” 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.”

A lot of stuff happening here. A lot of “real life” happening here. Again, notice the presence of both worship and craziness.

Jesus tells the a bunch of stuff that will happen showing them they can worship with confidence because He’s got everything under control.

All the while... people are plotting to betray and kill Jesus.

And here’s another reason to worship regardless of circumstance...

Worship reminds our hearts that God’s in control.

We live in a broken world. The Bible doesn’t hide that. Jesus doesn’t ignore that. It tells us to keep worshiping. Why? Because God’s in control.

Worship is an active way to remind our heart of that truth. When we choose to worship in a broken world, we show that our faith is in God. We declare that we believe the prophet Isaiah who says...

Isaiah 46:9–10 ESV

remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

God is in control, even when the circumstances seem out-of-control. Therefore, worship Him!

But before we move on, look at verse 21 because it connects with our second reason we don’t worship...

Mark 14:21 ESV

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.”

Jesus declares that He sovereignly knows Judas sold him out, but also… He’s still in control. But the purpose of this passage goes beyond divine sovereignty. It’s also an invitation to restored relationship...

I believe Jesus is saying, “Judas, I know what you’ve done. And it’s not too late to repent and be saved.”

And here’s the second reason many of us don’t worship, even when we know God is worthy...

We don’t believe we’re worthy to worship.

We think about all the ways we have failed. Our sinful past. We may even feel like Judas for the ways we’ve rejected or betrayed Jesus. But here’s the message of amazing grace that Jesus wants us to hear: You are loved and invited back into relationship.

And if Judas’ being invited to worship isn’t proof enough, look at the reminder of the passage...

Mark 14:26–31 ESV

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.

Peter’s pretty confident but Jesus says, “You’re going to reject Me too.” But check out verse 28...

Mark 14:28 ESV

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”

You know what that is? It’s an invitation to restored relationship...

Mark 14:32–42 ESV

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.”

Once again, more spiritual failures. Jesus asked his closest friends to support Him - one of them who literally just said, “I’ll die for You!” And they couldn’t even pray for Him. They left Him alone at a moment where Luke said...

Luke 22:44 ESV

And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Btw, I’ll just throw this out there because it’s too important to overlook, even though we won’t have time to sit on it...

Jesus suffered alone so that we never have to. And because of His suffering, we have the promise that He will be with us always, amen?

Mark 14:43–50 ESV

And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled.

[Say Dang it Peter!] Lots of stuff here, but here’s our focus is the last verse: “And they all left him and fled.”

They all failed. And to top it off, look at this super weird passage...

Mark 14:51–52 ESV

And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.

Why is this included? Well, many scholars believe the Last Supper happened at Mark’s house - author of this gospel. And it is likely that this naked man is Mark.

Why would Mark throw himself under the bus like this? I think he was letting us know, “I failed too.”

And this wasn’t the last time Mark failed. Many of us know Mark abandoned the apostle Paul too; so much so, that Paul refused to take him on a second journey. Yet, let me share some of Paul’s final words at the end of his life...

2 Timothy 4:11 ESV

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

Mark was restored to relationship. And all the other disciples who failed, what happened to them? Well eventually they were known as “men who have turned the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6). They were restored!

Mark and the disciples were restored to relationship and learned to worship Jesus in a broken world.

...Even when the circumstances weren’t perfect.

...And even when they weren’t perfect.

Response:

And today as we close, I want to let you know that a choice to worship sits before you. You can worship or not. But hear this… YOUR CHOICE MATTERS.

I want to give you some biblically healthy ways to process this decision:

First off, know that worship starts with surrender. Jesus modeled this when He prayed in the garden...

Mark 14:36 ESV

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.”

On the other hand, Judas did the opposite. He said, “Not Your will, but mine!”

Have you surrendered your life to Jesus?

Also, don’t do life alone (Join a LG). Remember, Jesus suffered alone so you wouldn’t have to. That’s a good thing because we make really bad decisions when we’re alone.

The truth of Scripture clear reveals we were created to live and thrive in community. And the way we do that here at The River Church is thru Life Groups.

Life Groups are places where we worship God together.

Life Groups is where discipleship happens. Where we worship by learning God’s word and becoming more like Jesus.

Life Groups is where we find joy as we eat, talk, and pray together.

Life Groups is where we live in community - in restored relationship.

I want to challenge everyone to be a part of a Life Group. We even have some new Life Groups starting soon so there is plenty of space for everyone. Think about this...

The disciples stayed in relationship, changed the world, and found eternal life.

Judas was un-surrendered, stayed isolated, and eternally perished.

Today, Jesus is inviting you to be a disciple. Surrender, worship, and live in restored relationship.

Let’s pray...

Father, today we surrender to You. You are worthy of our worship. Forgive us for the times we’ve lived more like Judas than Jesus. Today we choose to follow Jesus. Thank you for love and grace. And change us into passionate worshipers who change the world for Your glory. In Jesus name, amen.

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