The Gospel According to Mark: Jesus the Suffering Servantنموونە

Imagine what it would be like to know you had just hours to live. How would you spend your time? Who would you spend it with? What would you do? Where would you be?

Jesus knew his death was looming. He'd always known it. It was why he came to Earth in the first place. But now, his death wasn’t years or months or weeks or even days away. It was within sight.

Think of all the things Jesus could have done in those final hours. As the Son of God — actually God himself, in a human body — just imagine the astonishing displays of power that were possible. Imagine the breathtaking “last stand” he could have staged.

In those final days and hours — just as in the whole of his life — Jesus wasn’t thinking of himself at all, which would have been a reasonable and natural thing. He was thinking of his Father, committed to loving, trusting, and obeying him fully. He was thinking of humans, committed to loving, rescuing, and redeeming them fully. He was thinking of you. He was thinking of your neighbor. He was thinking of every person you’ve ever seen, met, or known. He was thinking of every person who has ever lived.

He was loving God with his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. He was loving his neighbor — all of them — with the love of God.

Focused Reflection

verses 1-8 (A woman prepares Jesus for burial)

• Jesus said, “Wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Today, remember and discuss it with someone.

verses 12-26 (Jesus shares a meal with his friends)

• On the night before he was killed, why do you think Jesus took the time to celebrate and share the Passover meal with his friends?

General Reflection

• What do you learn about Jesus from this passage?
• What do you learn about following Jesus from this passage?

Extra Info

• In Jesus’ day, spices and perfumes​ were used on dead bodies to cover the smell of decomposition.
• Passover​ was a remembrance and celebration of when God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The angel of death “passed over” the Israelite homes that were marked with sacrificial blood. You can read about it in Exodus 12. The Passover was a picture of humanity being rescued through Christ's sacrificial blood.