MARK 14:1-21

SECRET PLOTS OF MEN VS. THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

I. Greetings.

II. Introduction:
Note: It often seems that much of Scripture does not seem relevant at certain stages in our lives. The specific issues do not seem to be ones that concern us. One word of encouragement, Scripture is waiting for you to have enough life experiences to see what it has to say to you. Scripture has anticipated those coming needs created by certain events. When such experiences happen, then we see what wisdom Scripture has for us. As you grow and experience life, it will be the guide you need. The more you learn of life the more you will understand of Scripture. Today’s lesson is needed by some of you now; others should put it into their memory for times ahead.

III. The First Plot: Mark 14:1-2.
Note: We now enter upon the Passion Narratives, the narration of Jesus’ last week. It is a pain-filled week, filled with the drama of our salvation, and with the passion and pain of Jesus as He affects our redemption. All of Mark points toward this. In fact, some scholars have said all four Gospels are nothing more than Passion Narratives with long introductions.
Note: What we wish to do today is to focus on who Jesus is. He will enter pain, stress, and hardship. Let us watch Him deal with such things.
>>>> Have someone read Mark 14:1-2.
Note: The desire to put Jesus to death was not new:
>>>> Have three different people read Mark 3:6; 11:18; and 12:12.
Q Who killed Jesus, the Son of God? Was it God-believing Temple attendees or pagans?
An = It was the believing community of Jesus’ day. The church goers of that time killed Jesus. The Jews used the Romans to do their wishes. Mark makes that very clear.
Q If Jesus came to earth in our time, who would be the ones to kill Him?
An = The Gospels indicate it would be the church goers–specifically, it would be many of the established leaders.
Note: Anti-Semiticism misses the point! It is not Jews, but religious people who do not love God, who kill God, and try to stop His work. We have such people around today.
Note: Leaders are often resented and criticized, especially when they speak the truth. However, if you are in leadership, the Gospels are not trying to create a persecution complex. Some leaders are criticized because they should be, i.e. they do stupid things, or act unfairly, selfishly, or incompetently. Jesus was disliked because He spoke the truth and stepped on their toes, not because He was incompetent.
Note: Passover in Jesus’ time was actually two feasts: Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread. Most often, they were understood as part of one another. Passover itself was a great yearly event. Depending on whose numbers you accept, the city either became 5 times its normal number (300,000) or if Josephus can be believed the numbers approximated 3,000,000 in the city of Jerusalem at Passover. It celebrated two functions: the deliverance from Egypt when the death angel passed over the homes with blood on their doors, and it was a consecration of the barley crop.
Note: It was a celebration of deliverance from slavery – Later we Christians saw Jesus killed for our deliverance from the slavery of sin.
But, before the plot thickened, Mark told us a story. It was an interlude, an interlude of kindness.
IV. Interlude of Kindness: Mark 14:3-9.
>>>> Have someone read Mark 14:3-9.
Q Why were the disciples upset?
An = The money represented by the perfume poured on Him could have been given to the poor. It was worth over 300 denares, roughly a year’s wages for the average worker. In fairness to the disciples, it should be understood that it was a common custom at the feasts to help the poor.
Note: The contrast between the woman and the High Priest in 14:1, 2 was extensive. She showed an extravagance of honor and love that was extraordinary. It was obviously not appreciated by the disciples. The disciples often did not understand Jesus. If you become a leader, remember this as well. Even those closest to you may not always understand you.
Q Are people (Christian people) as calloused today as the disciples were?
Note: There was a Jewish custom of anointing someone for a feast, but Jesus sees a far more profound meaning. He knew He would suffer a criminal’s death and not be cleansed and anointed as was commonly done for the dead. So He took her extravagance and dignified it, taking it from an impulsive action to a prophetic event. He took her impulsive act and made it a significant and appropriate action. Jesus had a way of seeing things in a different light. As she tried to serve Him, He saw her heart! Some things we do may not always be wise, but the One we serve is!
Jesus sees us in a different light. We are often ridiculed for our extravagant acts of love towards God, but Jesus sees them in the proper light.
Q Do most Christians love Jesus as extravagantly as this woman did? How would this look today?

V. The Second Plot: Mark 14:10-11.
>>>> Have someone read Mark 14:10-11.
Note: Jesus’ life and His position were being threatened. Yet, He had the presence of mind to see through the extravagant acts of a seemingly impulsive woman. When we get threatened we often stop thinking of others, Jesus showed us a better way.
Q Have you ever been plotted against? Can anyone share their experience?
Q How are we to feel when we find out?
Q How did you feel?
An = See if some will share their feelings of being truly disliked.
Q What does it do to our concept of ourselves when we are betrayed?
An = It makes us wonder about our worth; what is more, it hurts! How Jesus handled threats and betrayal was meant to be a model or example for us.

VI. Understanding Reality: Mark 14:12-16.
>>>> Have someone read Mark 14:12-16.
Note: Jesus knew He was being pursued, and He knew about Judas. By this action, Judas did not know where the Passover celebration for the disciples would take place. Since Jesus was either making these arrangements by miracle or had set this up earlier, Judas did not know where they would meet. It is clear that Jesus and the other ten do not arrive till after dark. Thus, with so many pilgrims in the city, it would be hard to find Jesus after dark and find where He would be holding the Passover. Judas did not know where they are going, until they arrived there that night. Only Jesus and the two disciples knew the location. This guaranteed they would have privacy at this important time.
Q Was this action of Jesus that guaranteed privacy for the Lord’s Supper, a sign of mental anguish or a sign of cool, calm intelligence?
An = It was a sign of a clear thinking and rational individual. He knew He was going to die, and was being plotted against, but He also knew that His men needed some time alone with Him. He used His brains to obtain it.
Jesus was thinking and thinking of others! We handle betrayal best when He helps us be like Him in thinking of others in the midst of our turmoil.

VII. Jesus Is Aware: Mark 14:17-21.
>>>> Have someone read Mark 14:17-21.
Q Was Jesus aware of His betrayal?
Q What did He do?
An = He confronted the guilty party. This was an example of what we should do in such situations. Tell people what we truly think.
Q In Mark, did Jesus identify Judas the traitor?
An = The answer is no. If Jesus had done so the disciples would probably have killed or harmed Judas, rather than let him hurt Jesus. Jesus confronted Judas, but not in a manner that exposed Judas.
Q Why do you suppose Jesus did not stop Judas or turn him over to the disciples?
An = Jesus confronted, but did not need to see the immediate punishment of Judas.
Note: We too will experience deep betrayal if we live long enough in this world. Jesus was giving us insights and clues as to how to handle such situations. He did this, lest we become totally destroyed when this is done to us. We need to remember that even the Son of God was betrayed and plotted against. He knows what we are going through.
RQ Do you see why you can pray to Him with confidence? He understands!
Q If you summarized Jesus’ actions of handling stress and betrayal what would be your main points? What moves did He make, this could be written down and then be the guide for how we might handle our own betrayals.[:]