Mark 14:12-26
In this week’s reading of the Gospel of Mark, Mark 14:12-26 details the Last Supper, a significant event in the New Testament where Jesus shares a final meal with His disciples. This passage emphasizes themes of sacrifice, betrayal, and the establishment of a new covenant between Jesus and His followers. Here are the key points:
Preparation for the Passover (Mark 14:12-16):
Jesus instructs His disciples to prepare for the Passover meal. He gives them specific directions on where to find a room, including encountering a man carrying a water jar, which would lead them to the place. The disciples follow His instructions and prepare the meal.
Jesus Predicts Betrayal (Mark 14:17-21):
During the meal, Jesus reveals that one of the twelve disciples will betray Him. This shocks the disciples, and each one questions if they are the betrayer. Jesus confirms it will be one who shares the meal with Him, and while this act fulfills prophecy, Jesus warns of the consequences for the betrayer.
Institution of the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:22-25):
Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to His disciples, saying, "Take; this is my body." He then takes a cup of wine, gives thanks, and shares it with them, describing it as His "blood of the covenant," which is shed for many. This moment establishes the practice of Communion or Eucharist in Christian tradition, symbolizing Jesus’ sacrifice.
A Promise of Future Reunion (Mark 14:25):
Jesus tells His disciples that He will not drink wine again until He drinks it in the kingdom of God, symbolizing a future reunion and hope for eternal life.
Departure to the Mount of Olives (Mark 14:26):
After singing a hymn, they leave for the Mount of Olives, where Jesus will continue to pray and prepare for His imminent arrest and crucifixion.
What does a new covenant mean to you? The concept of a "new covenant" was prophesied in the Old Testament, particularly in Jeremiah 31:31-34, which speaks of a time when God would establish a new, internal covenant with His people, different from the Mosaic covenant of the law. By instituting this covenant at the Last Supper, Jesus fulfills this prophecy, positioning Himself as the mediator of this new relationship between God and humanity. The Old Covenant given through Moses focused on adherence to the law. The New Covenant, however, is based on grace and forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice. This shift emphasizes that salvation is not achieved by works or strict adherence to the law, but by faith in Jesus, who fulfills the law on behalf of humanity. In Jewish tradition, the Passover commemorates Israel's deliverance from Egypt, where a lamb’s blood spared each household from judgment. At the Last Supper, Jesus identifies His own body and blood as the elements of the New Covenant, symbolically offering Himself as the final sacrificial Lamb. This act signifies that through Jesus' death, humanity is "passed over" from death to eternal life.
The New Covenant is marked by an intimate, personal relationship with God. Unlike the Old Covenant, where the high priest served as a mediator, the New Covenant gives believers direct access to God through Jesus. His sacrificial act removes the barrier of sin and allows believers to connect with God directly, through the Holy Spirit. The Last Supper introduces the practice of Communion, or the Eucharist, where believers regularly partake in bread and wine to remember Jesus’ sacrifice. This ritual reinforces the communal and sacramental nature of the New Covenant, symbolizing unity with Christ and with each other as members of His body. Jesus not only speaks of the sacrifice He is about to make, but He also points forward to the kingdom of God and a future hope of reunion with His followers. This promise reassures believers of eternal life and the eventual fulfillment of God’s kingdom.
The New Covenant, therefore, marks a pivotal change in the way humanity relates to God: through grace, forgiveness, and faith in Jesus, rather than by adherence to the old laws and rituals. This is foundational to Christian theology and continues to be celebrated in our Christian worship practices today.
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
If you are reading the Gospel of Mark with Pastor Chuck this year, below is a short and simple guide to doing so for this week:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, your words expose my innermost thoughts and desires. I am an open book before you when I read your book. May your truths work as I read of your holiness, truth, and love. May the power of your word be known in my life so that I might genuinely have the abundant life you came to give. Amen.
Read: Mark 14:12-26
Questions to guide your thinking:
Am I preparing space in my life for Jesus, as the disciples prepared for the Passover?
Consider what "preparation" might look like in your daily life. Are there specific areas or distractions where you could create more room for Christ's presence?
How do I respond to moments of betrayal or disappointment, as Jesus did when He revealed His betrayal?
Reflect on how Jesus responds with patience and composure. How can His example shape your response to hurt or betrayal?
What does the Lord’s Supper (Communion) mean to me personally?
Think about the significance of the bread and wine symbolizing Jesus' body and blood. How does this ritual impact your relationship with Him, and how can it serve as a reminder of His sacrifice in your daily life?
In what ways am I living under grace rather than trying to "earn" God’s favor?
Reflect on how the New Covenant, established by grace, influences your perspective on faith. Are there areas where you still feel the need to "earn" acceptance, and how can you fully embrace God's grace?
How am I looking forward to the promises of God’s kingdom, as Jesus anticipated the future with His disciples?
Jesus spoke of a future reunion in God’s kingdom. Reflect on your own hopes and longings for God’s promises. How does this anticipation shape your faith, perspective, and purpose in the present?
