Mark 14:12-52 (with excerpts from Matthew 26:17-56, Luke 22:7-53, John 13:1-18:11)
We are halfway through our study of the “Passion Week”. In the past 3 messages we’ve considered several events that took place on Palm Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Just for fun, let’s review what we’ve learned so far with a game called, “What Day Is It?”
Jesus curses a fig tree that is covered with leaves, but has no fruit on it.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? MONDAY
A pair of disciples are dispatched to go find a donkey’s colt in a nearby village.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? PALM SUNDAY
An unnamed woman anoints Jesus’ head while He dines at the home of Simon the leper.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? WEDNESDAY
Jesus teaches in the temple, confronts the Pharisees, and delivers the Olivet Discourse.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? TUESDAY
Judas Iscariot conspires with the chief priests agreeing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? WEDNESDAY
Jesus drives the moneychangers and merchants out of the temple courts.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? MONDAY
The disciples are amazed to see that the cursed fig tree has quickly and completely withered.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? TUESDAY
Jesus rides into Jerusalem greeted by joyful crowds shouting “Hosanna!” and waving branches.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? PALM SUNDAY
Well, how did you do? I got 8 out of 8 correct, but then again I made up the questions... Anyway, this morning we resume our series with a message about Thursday.
I. PREPARING FOR PASSOVER
Sometime Thursday morning Jesus sent a pair of His disciples into Jerusalem to prepare a place for them all to celebrate the Passover meal later that night. He told them that they’d be met by a man carrying a pitcher of water who would lead them to a house with a large guest room. They were to make it ready. After receiving their instructions, these 2 disciples went to Jerusalem and everything happened just as Jesus foretold. They prepared for the Passover.
II. IN THE UPPER ROOM
That evening Jesus and the apostles came into Jerusalem and gathered in the Upper Room. The Passover meal, which had been prepared before their arrival, was served. During the meal Jesus took off His garments, girded Himself with a towel, and went around the table washing the disciples’ feet. Peter initially resisted having the Lord wash his feet, but after Jesus spoke, he allowed it. It was a beautiful picture of humility and how Christians should serve one another.
After returning to His place at the table, Jesus stated that one of the apostles would betray Him. They were all surprised and disturbed, each wondering who it might be. Jesus answered that it would be “the one who dips in the bowl with Me”. He then dipped a morsel of food and handed it to Judas Iscariot. At this moment, Satan entered Judas and he got up from the supper and quickly left to go find the chief priests. Despite hearing and seeing this happen, the other apostles didn’t realize what Judas was doing and thought nothing of it.
Jesus then took the bread, blessed it, and broke it. He said, “This is My body which is broken for you. Take and eat. Do so in remembrance of Me.” Afterward He took the cup, gave thanks, and said, “This is My blood which is poured out for many. Take and drink in remembrance of Me.” In so doing, Jesus symbolized His upcoming death and established the ordinance of communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper.
Over dinner, the disciples discussed among themselves who would be the greatest of them. Jesus explained that those who wish to be great must become servants. He then began to teach them several things. He talked about His oneness with the Father, the role of the Holy Spirit, the vine and the branches, the disciples’ relationship with one another and with the world, and the importance of expectant prayer. He warned them of future persecution, and foretold His death and resurrection. The disciples were troubled at His words. Jesus comforted them, and promised that the Holy Spirit would come to help them after His departure.
When He had finished teaching, Jesus prayed for Himself, the apostles, and all believers in the generations to come. He then instructed the disciples to prepare themselves to stand against the coming persecution. They sang a hymn together, and then departed for the Mount of Olives (where the Garden of Gethsemane was located). By this time, it was well after dark. Along the way, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him 3 times that night before the rooster crowed at dawn. Peter, and the other disciples, refused to believe Him.
III. AT THE GARDEN
They came to the Garden of Gethsemane, which was located just outside of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley. Jesus asked the apostles to sit at the edge of the garden, to keep watch, and to pray. He took Peter, James, and John with Him deeper into the garden. He asked them to sit and pray also. Leaving them, Jesus went alone a bit further into the garden and began to pray by Himself. He earnestly asked the Father to give Him the strength to do His will. An angel appeared and ministered to Jesus as He prayed. His agony was so great that His sweat became like drops of blood. After a while, Jesus returned to check on His disciples and found them sleeping. He woke them up and urged them to keep praying. Jesus went away and came back 3 separate times that night, and each time the disciples had fallen asleep.
After waking them the third time, Judas Iscariot approached Jesus leading a cohort of men carrying clubs and swords. He must have known where Jesus was planning to go after the dinner. Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss, then the soldiers seized Him. Peter tried to prevent the arrest. He drew his sword and struck, cutting off the ear of the chief priest’s servant. Jesus intervened by telling Peter to put away his sword, then He lovingly healed the injured man’s ear. All of the disciples fled, and the authorities took Jesus into custody under the dark of the night as though He was a vile criminal.
CONCLUSION
As we wrap up today’s sermon, Jesus is being bound and led away. All of His friends and followers have abandoned Him. The midnight hour has come and the city of Jerusalem is sound asleep. Its citizens don’t even realize that their Messiah has been arrested.
Jesus knew what was coming over the next several hours… the mockings, the beatings, the scourging, and the cross. This is why He had gone to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus was about to undergo intense brutality and pain, so He fell on His knees and cried out to the Father for strength. He sought the courage to do God’s will, regardless of the ridicule and suffering that it would require.
Through prayer, God enables us to face life’s most difficult challenges. When we fall on our faces before the LORD and call out to Him in brokenness, He hears us and answers our petitions. Again and again God’s Word urges us to seek Him constantly in earnest and sincere prayer. Sadly, most Christians spend very little time each day praying.
Right now our city, our nation, and our world are in the midst of a great crisis. The prayers of the saints are desperately needed. We as God’s children must turn to the LORD on behalf of ourselves and each other and tearfully beseech His mercy and forgiveness. Like Jesus in the Garden, even though the worst may be yet to come, it is prayer that will see us through…
We are halfway through our study of the “Passion Week”. In the past 3 messages we’ve considered several events that took place on Palm Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Just for fun, let’s review what we’ve learned so far with a game called, “What Day Is It?”
Jesus curses a fig tree that is covered with leaves, but has no fruit on it.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? MONDAY
A pair of disciples are dispatched to go find a donkey’s colt in a nearby village.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? PALM SUNDAY
An unnamed woman anoints Jesus’ head while He dines at the home of Simon the leper.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? WEDNESDAY
Jesus teaches in the temple, confronts the Pharisees, and delivers the Olivet Discourse.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? TUESDAY
Judas Iscariot conspires with the chief priests agreeing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? WEDNESDAY
Jesus drives the moneychangers and merchants out of the temple courts.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? MONDAY
The disciples are amazed to see that the cursed fig tree has quickly and completely withered.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? TUESDAY
Jesus rides into Jerusalem greeted by joyful crowds shouting “Hosanna!” and waving branches.
What day of “Passion Week” is it? PALM SUNDAY
Well, how did you do? I got 8 out of 8 correct, but then again I made up the questions... Anyway, this morning we resume our series with a message about Thursday.
I. PREPARING FOR PASSOVER
Sometime Thursday morning Jesus sent a pair of His disciples into Jerusalem to prepare a place for them all to celebrate the Passover meal later that night. He told them that they’d be met by a man carrying a pitcher of water who would lead them to a house with a large guest room. They were to make it ready. After receiving their instructions, these 2 disciples went to Jerusalem and everything happened just as Jesus foretold. They prepared for the Passover.
II. IN THE UPPER ROOM
That evening Jesus and the apostles came into Jerusalem and gathered in the Upper Room. The Passover meal, which had been prepared before their arrival, was served. During the meal Jesus took off His garments, girded Himself with a towel, and went around the table washing the disciples’ feet. Peter initially resisted having the Lord wash his feet, but after Jesus spoke, he allowed it. It was a beautiful picture of humility and how Christians should serve one another.
After returning to His place at the table, Jesus stated that one of the apostles would betray Him. They were all surprised and disturbed, each wondering who it might be. Jesus answered that it would be “the one who dips in the bowl with Me”. He then dipped a morsel of food and handed it to Judas Iscariot. At this moment, Satan entered Judas and he got up from the supper and quickly left to go find the chief priests. Despite hearing and seeing this happen, the other apostles didn’t realize what Judas was doing and thought nothing of it.
Jesus then took the bread, blessed it, and broke it. He said, “This is My body which is broken for you. Take and eat. Do so in remembrance of Me.” Afterward He took the cup, gave thanks, and said, “This is My blood which is poured out for many. Take and drink in remembrance of Me.” In so doing, Jesus symbolized His upcoming death and established the ordinance of communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper.
Over dinner, the disciples discussed among themselves who would be the greatest of them. Jesus explained that those who wish to be great must become servants. He then began to teach them several things. He talked about His oneness with the Father, the role of the Holy Spirit, the vine and the branches, the disciples’ relationship with one another and with the world, and the importance of expectant prayer. He warned them of future persecution, and foretold His death and resurrection. The disciples were troubled at His words. Jesus comforted them, and promised that the Holy Spirit would come to help them after His departure.
When He had finished teaching, Jesus prayed for Himself, the apostles, and all believers in the generations to come. He then instructed the disciples to prepare themselves to stand against the coming persecution. They sang a hymn together, and then departed for the Mount of Olives (where the Garden of Gethsemane was located). By this time, it was well after dark. Along the way, Jesus predicted that Peter would deny Him 3 times that night before the rooster crowed at dawn. Peter, and the other disciples, refused to believe Him.
III. AT THE GARDEN
They came to the Garden of Gethsemane, which was located just outside of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley. Jesus asked the apostles to sit at the edge of the garden, to keep watch, and to pray. He took Peter, James, and John with Him deeper into the garden. He asked them to sit and pray also. Leaving them, Jesus went alone a bit further into the garden and began to pray by Himself. He earnestly asked the Father to give Him the strength to do His will. An angel appeared and ministered to Jesus as He prayed. His agony was so great that His sweat became like drops of blood. After a while, Jesus returned to check on His disciples and found them sleeping. He woke them up and urged them to keep praying. Jesus went away and came back 3 separate times that night, and each time the disciples had fallen asleep.
After waking them the third time, Judas Iscariot approached Jesus leading a cohort of men carrying clubs and swords. He must have known where Jesus was planning to go after the dinner. Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss, then the soldiers seized Him. Peter tried to prevent the arrest. He drew his sword and struck, cutting off the ear of the chief priest’s servant. Jesus intervened by telling Peter to put away his sword, then He lovingly healed the injured man’s ear. All of the disciples fled, and the authorities took Jesus into custody under the dark of the night as though He was a vile criminal.
CONCLUSION
As we wrap up today’s sermon, Jesus is being bound and led away. All of His friends and followers have abandoned Him. The midnight hour has come and the city of Jerusalem is sound asleep. Its citizens don’t even realize that their Messiah has been arrested.
Jesus knew what was coming over the next several hours… the mockings, the beatings, the scourging, and the cross. This is why He had gone to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus was about to undergo intense brutality and pain, so He fell on His knees and cried out to the Father for strength. He sought the courage to do God’s will, regardless of the ridicule and suffering that it would require.
Through prayer, God enables us to face life’s most difficult challenges. When we fall on our faces before the LORD and call out to Him in brokenness, He hears us and answers our petitions. Again and again God’s Word urges us to seek Him constantly in earnest and sincere prayer. Sadly, most Christians spend very little time each day praying.
Right now our city, our nation, and our world are in the midst of a great crisis. The prayers of the saints are desperately needed. We as God’s children must turn to the LORD on behalf of ourselves and each other and tearfully beseech His mercy and forgiveness. Like Jesus in the Garden, even though the worst may be yet to come, it is prayer that will see us through…