Holy WeekSample

Towards the end of yesterday’s reading, Judas slipped out to betray Jesus and alert the chief priests of his whereabouts. While Jesus was aware of the journey ahead, he needed to sit with his disciples first to prepare them, so he called them a Passover meal.

At this point, the tension all around Jesus is at its peak. This Passover meal sets the scene for Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice of sin and death. Mark points out Jesus’s secrecy in preparing the Passover meal. David Guzik, a pastor and commentator, notes that the reason for Jesus’s secrecy was likely to keep Judas from betraying him before he could talk to the disciples. A common theme of the Passover meal is God’s perfect timing.

Through this passage, Jesus’s timing is effective in his disciple’s actions and the crowds’ responses at his crucifixion. The events of Jesus’s time in the Garden of Gethsemane reveal the culmination of the finished work on the cross. Also, through Jesus’s prayer and the symbolism in the garden, Mark teaches us that the definition of Gethsemane as “olive press” revealed the significance behind why Jesus’ arrest was in the garden. Gethsemane is where Jesus prays his prayer of distress and agony, but it is also where the gravity of our sin symbolically crushed Jesus as he prepared to bear our sins on the cross. As Jesus prayed to his Father, the intentions and emotions behind his prayer were made more evident. Jesus knew that his death on the cross was the only way for salvation.

As a human, Jesus felt deep and sorrowful emotions expressed in his prayer. The feelings he experienced resulted from the disciple’s actions and the weight of every person’s sin. The scripture points out the flaws of the disciples that the other gospels do not highlight as much; therefore, Mark fourteen’s portrayal of Jesus’s arrest sheds light on his dependence on God as his Father. Jesus’s cry of distress drew him closer to the Father and strengthened him to endure the cross later. His prayer, the sleeping disciples, Judas’s betrayal, Jesus’s arrest, and Peter’s denial led to the pain and humiliation dealt with on the cross.

Mark depicts the imperfection of the disciples, Jesus’s obedience to the will of God, and to display the details of the Passover meal that God had in store from the beginning of time. As the book of Mark delivers the reality of human imperfection, the perfection of Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial lamb is made more apparent. Jesus remains the hope and savior for all sinners because he was obedient to the will of God.

1. What is the significance behind Jesus’s silence from his trials to his death on the cross? Think about your walk with Jesus, have you ever experienced silence? If so, how did you see God moving in your life despite the silence?
2. Find a trusted commentary. What does the “cup” symbolize in the event of Jesus’ crucifixion?
3. What is your main takeaway from today’s reading? Why?

Pray This

Heavenly Father,

You are a God of hope, joy, and peace in trials. The pain and humiliation you endured on the cross has produced a faith in you where I can fully believe that you have paid for all my sins. In you I am a Child of God who has been made righteous by your death and resurrection on the cross. I pray you would soften my heart to the emotions you felt from your arrest to the cross. May I see this truth as an encouragement in times of loneliness and a weapon of strength when I am fearful. Abba Father, thank you for a gracious and loving relationship with God and for the faithfulness that we experienced from your steadfast gospel truths. Thank you for choosing death on the cross to save me from my sins! I love you. Amen.