Jesus prepared to die: bible study
A bible study on Mark 14:1-31.
We are entering the last few days before Jesus’ death. We see unexpected betrayal and expected plotting of his death. We are taught about the significance of his death in two narratives. All of this is in the context of a celebration of God’s saving act in bringing his people out of slavery in Egypt.
Question 1 Plotting and betrayal.
a) It is not a surprise that “the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him” (14:1). What is a surprise is the people who would betray Jesus. Who are they?
a. 14:10,11 16-21
b. 14:28-31
c. 14:27 How did “all” fall away?
b) Why is so much of this chapter about plotting and betrayal? Read Isaiah 53:4-8.(see Acts 8:32-35). Jesus takes the idea of the suffering servant in Isaiah and applies it to himself. See Mark 10:45; Mark 9:12.
c) Mark does not tell us anything specific about the ultimate fate of the betrayers.
a. What does Jesus say about the prospects of the betrayer, Judas? (14:21). We know he died shamefully (Acts 1:18-19) but people have argued for years about whether he was saved or not.
b. Mark tells us that Peter did deny Jesus (Mark 14:66-72). Why do you think that Mark doesn’t mention Peter’s rehabilitation? (see John 21:15-19)
c. The other disciples resumed being disciples after the resurrection. (Acts 1:13) but we know nothing else about most of them.
Again, what is Mark’s emphasis with regard to the support Jesus gets?
Question 2 Who is Jesus? What is he going to do?
The story of the woman anointing Jesus’ head. (Mark 14:3-9) Mark’s telling of the story seems to draw out two main points.
a) The title “Messiah”(Hebrew)/”Christ” (Greek) means anointed one. Jesus has had oil poured on him previously. (Luke 7:38,46; John 11:2) but on his feet. What do you think that the woman thought she was doing? What do you think that Mark sees in this action with hindsight? See 1 Samuel 15:11-13
b) What does Jesus say that this action is for? (14:8) Jesus knows that his death is close.
c) What is Jesus’ closing comment (14:9)?
a. Is the prophecy true?
In the sense of the woman’s action being remembered?
In the sense that her action summarises the gospel ie
Anointed one.
Dies.
Question 3 What does Jesus’ death mean?
There is a lot of material that positions these events around the time of the Passover. It was a feast to remember the angel of death passing over the Israelites as God rescued them from slavery in Egypt. The freeing of God’s people in the Exodus is the “archetype/prototype” of all of God’s saving actions in the OT and now in the NT.
a) In terms of the number of words, there is a lot more about the preparation for the supper and the betrayal prediction (Mark 14:12-21) than there is about the actual “Lord’s Supper” (Mark 14:22-26). I don’t think that would have been our focus. The preparations sound very clandestine/secret. What do the preparations tell us about Jesus’ priority and about the threat to his life?
b) The Passover meal was a family fellowship meal. Each part of it taught something about the rescue from Egypt. It was a teaching tool, a reminder of what gave God’s people their identity and family time all at once. Is the Lord’s Supper like that now? Should it be?
c) The meal consisted of MANY parts. 3 are mentioned in Mark’s account.
a. Bread which was probably at the start of the meal.
Jesus’ words are simple; “Take; this is my body”. What teaching is Jesus giving in the actions (blessing, breaking) and these words?
b. A cup which was probably at the end of the meal.
Again, some actions (taking a cup, giving thanks) but a longer sentence.
1. What does “this is my blood of the covenant poured out for many” mean? (See Exodus 6:6-7 esp. v7)
2. Jesus adds: “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
a. What does it tell us about his immediate future?
b. What does it tell us about his ultimate destination?
c. Does it tell us anything about our destination? (see Matthew 22:1-14 and Luke 14:15-24. Rev 3:20f)
d) Mark does not record an instruction to “do this in remembrance of me.” Mark’s main point is to teach about the significance of Jesus’ death. Is participating in the “Lord’s Supper” today important? Why?
Question 4
Doing the week after Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the only “goodies” are women
i) The widow giving two small coins (Mark 12:41-44).
ii) The woman pouring ointment on Jesus’ head (Mark 14:3-9)
iii) The women who were the first (and only in Mark) witnesses of the fact that Jesus had been raised. (Mark 16:1-8)
All others plot to kill, betray, deny, fall away etc. Is it significant that women are portrayed so favourably?