Last Days: from the Table to the Cross
Txt: Mark 14 – 15
Outline:
A. 14:1-11, Jesus is anointed for death and burial – two unexpected confessions
B. 14:12-25, Passover Feast with the Disciples
C. 14:26-31, Foretelling of Peter's denial
D. 14:32-42, Prayer in Gethsemane
E. 14:43-52, Arrest of Jesus
D'. 14:53-65, Council
C'. 14:66-72, Peter denied Jesus
B'. 15:1-32, Passover Feast with Pilate, soldiers and robbers
A'. 15:33-47, Death and Burial of Jesus – two unlikely confessions
Comments: Like the last time we have a huge chunk of the Gospel to deal with – therefore, only basic thoughts...
A. and A'. Jesus is getting ready for His final act – death and burial. So, when a woman comes with the flask of ointment, He praises her, while the disciples murmur with indignation. This conversation is a great example for the churches of social ministries. Their goal is to feed the poor, house the homeless etc. Yet, Jesus says: you will always have these guys around, but I'm not going to be with you forever (14:7). Our care for the needy should flow out of what Jesus did for us – forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with the Father, and empowering by the Holy Spirit.
As a result of this socially oriented ministry thinking Judas “confesses” as a traitor, for cared for money [only] (cp. John 12:6).
On the other side we also have two unexpected confessions: centurion and Joseph of Arimathea. Crucifixion and the death had an impact on the centurion that he claiming Jesus' kingship. We can not be sure that He acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah – in Greko-Roman world the Son of God is a title for a king/Caesar. Still, the way Jesus died without blaming others and blaspheming, but calling on the Lord (Ps. 22), was a way he never saw before (I'm sure “it was not his first rodeo”).
We don't know much about Joseph of Arimothea. He comes out of the blue and just disappears. He was “a secret” disciple of Jesus and knew Nicodemus (John 19:38-4). Having a tomb just outside of Jerusalem shows that he was a man of wealth. Therefore, he could've been driven by the prophecy – Isaiah 53:9. If so, he confessed that Jesus IS the fulfillment of Isaiah 53 Servant Song!
B and B'. Two things are important for us: the company and the wine. In B Jesus spends the feasting time with His disciples. While feast is assumed and mentioned in B' (15:1, 6), the company is drastically different – high priests, council, elders, soldiers, and the crowd. If, at the Last Supper Jesus offers His body and blood willingly, almost joyfully, at the trial they demand his body to end up on the cross.
Also, He gives wine to the disciples as the blood of the covenant (14:24). This is followed by His statement that He is not going to drink until that day in the new kingdom – this explains the reason of His refusal at Calvary (15:23, 36). Jesus takes a temporal Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1-21), being consecrated for the Holy War.
C and C'. There is not much to talk about. Peter (as all of us) was full of himself, and made a fool of himself. No strength apart from Jesus... (cp. John 15:5).
D and D'. These two paragraphs are identified by Jesus speaking vs. being silent. In the Garden of Gethsemane He constantly talks to the Father. He also come to disciples three times: (1) encouraging Peter to stay prayerful [we know how that went]; (2) he came to them and found them sleeping; (3) third time He wakes them up for the arrest is near.
The parallel block unfolds the sequence in reverse direction: He is under arrest, then Jesus is silent, but He speaks at the conclusion of the trial (14:62). BTW, throughout the Gospels we have some weird stuff going on with the high priest – first of all, plural number. Second, the ruling high priest here tore his garment (Leviticus 10:6; 21:10) – a forbidden act for his garment symbolizes the people of God...
E. Jesus is arrested as a humble King: the Kiss of Judas, the lack of resistance, and the fulfillment of 10:45 – His last prediction of the death and resurrection.
They came with the swords and the clubs (reminds me a moment when villagers came after Shrek). He was and is powerful enough to fight back – Matthew records [26:53] that the Father could easily send 12 legions of angels. In the Gospel of John, when Jesus responds to their search, they just fall down (John 18:6). Yet, in Mark we see His humility with not a single attempt to push back.
He is The Rabbi – even for Judas – Who came to teach them and us (cp. 14:45 and 49). He teaches sing lessons, signs and miracles, and most importantly – with His own example – remember 10:45 (!).
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