Mark 14 - "Abba Father!"

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Enduring Word Commentary

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

14 Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.” 3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

You will notice that many of the most important events in Jesus' life happen around the time of Jewish festivals. Today's reading is at the time of the Festival or Feast of the Unleavened Bread. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was celebrated after the Passover, and it signifies that the Jewish people did not have time to let their bread rise, because they had to flee from the Egyptians quickly. 

The bottom line is that the religious leaders wanted to avoid doing anything to Jesus during the festival, because Jesus' approval rating was sky high and it might cause a riot.

Meanwhile Jesus was reclining at the table of Simon the Leper. We know from John's gospel that this woman is Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. When Mary broke open the jar of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus with it this caused a stir.  A beautiful act of worship by one of Jesus' most ardent followers was challenged because of the amount of money it cost, which could have been given to the poor, or so they said. 

6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

It wasn't that Jesus was against giving money to the poor, but Mary's gift was a sign of her devotion and it was fitting for a king. Mary realized what the religious leaders did not realize that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah. The anointing also doubled as a preparation for his burial. Jesus was so touched by her act of worship that he assured them all that she would be remembered wherever the good news was told.  

It’s easy to criticize those who show more love to Jesus than we do. We sometimes want to define a fanatic as someone who is more devoted to Jesus than we are. - Guzik

The disciples longed for fame and influence, but this woman found an enduring memorial. She found it not by longing for a position, but simply by loving Jesus and serving Him.

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

This moment gave Judas a chance to slip out to begin the process of his betrayal with the teachers of the law. 

The Last Supper

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” 19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Most churches celebrate Holy Communion on a regular basis. We do it every week. We figure when Jesus said, "Whenever you drink of this cup do this in remembrance of me" meant that every worship service is a good time to remember what Jesus did for us.  

Ironically it was also at this special supper where Jesus pointed out who would betray him. The same hand that dipped bread into the common bowl would be the hand that gave him over to be killed. This made Jesus sad. 

The words Jesus used in this Last Supper are basically the same words we use to today to celebrate Holy Communion. We call them the "Words of Insitution". Importantly since it was Passover, he connected the pouring out of the wine with the pouring out of his blood. In the Old Testament it was the blood of innocent goats and lambs, which provided sacrifice for the atonement of the Israelites' sins. Jesus was now going to fulfill this covenant with his innocent blood poured out on the cross for the forgiveness of sins of all mankind. 

There have been many church battles over how Jesus is present in the bread and wine. As a very broad generalization, the Catholic church believes the bread and wine are the literal body and blood of Jesus. This view is called "Transubstantiation". The Lutheran church I am a part of would say, "Jesus is truly present". This is view is sometimes called "Consubstantiation", which was described as "in, with, and under" the bread and the wine. Generally speaking most Baptist and non demoninational churches see the bread and wine as merely symbolic. A memorial of Jesus' death on the cross. They would teach it is in the act of remembering what Jesus did for us, do we receive a spiritual blessing. 

I used to joke and say, "Jesus is there deal with it!" The bottom line is Jesus commanded us to remember him and what he did for us, as we celebrate Holy Communion. Though there is nothing magical that happens the bread and wine, they are signs which point to what Jesus did for us on the cross. Therefore they are not merely bread and wine, but life giving bread and wine, as we receive them in faith. 

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’[d] 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice[e] you yourself will disown me three times.” 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Peter has typically been the first one to answer some of Jesus' hardest questions. In this case Peter vehemently states that even if the other disciples fall away, he will never do it. Jesus quickly turns the tables on Peter by telling him that not only will he deny him, but do it three times. We sometimes lose sight of the fact that the other disciples said the same thing. In the end they all denied him to save their skin. 

Gethsemane

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[f] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

We often say that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. He is 100% God and 100% man. It is indeed one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith right up there with the doctrine of the Trinity. I believe this passage more than any other passage shows Jesus' humanity. As we have said before, Jesus had an inner circle of three disciples, Peter, James and John. As he contemplated the amount of suffering he was about to endure, he asked the three of them to be with him and pray with him. 

He says, "Keep Watch!" This is where we get the term "prayer watch" or "prayer vigil". While Jesus was againizing in the Garden pleading with the Father to take this cup of suffering from him, the disciples were sleeping. He woke them up not once, not twice, but three times. By that time Jesus' hour had come and the betrayer was right around the corner. 

Jesus Arrested

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled. 51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

The crowd must have been expecting Jesus to put up a big fight because a large crowd came armed with swords and clubs. The religious leaders had sent them, another sign of their cowardice. It was now time for Judas to betray Jesus with a kiss. Peter possibly looking to back up his vow never to betray Jesus took off the ear of the high priest's servant with his sword. In another gospel we see Jesus telling Peter to put his sword away. 

John 18:10 identified this unnamed swordsman as Peter. Here Peter was a great example of someone who, wielding the power of this world in his hands, could only cut off ears. When he wielded the Word of God, Peter pierced hearts for God’s glory (Acts 2:37). - Guzik

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

The religious leaders were looking for any evidence they could to convict Jesus of breaking the Law and putting him to death. There were many false testimonies which fell apart because they didn't agree with each other. Jesus was not going to be put to death for a lie. But Jesus would not lie about who he was. They asked him if He was the Messiah and he said, "I am". Then, he made reference to his glorified state at the right hand of the Father coming on the clouds. 

The leaders now had what they wanted as Jesus a mere mortal was claiming to be God. They considered this blasphemy which according to the Old Testament could be punishable by death. Leviticus 24

Peter Disowns Jesus

66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.[g] 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[h] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[i] you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Peter watched all of this from a distance in fear of having the same fate as Jesus. Sure enough Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. Two times to a servant girl who recognized him, and once by the crowd who recognized him as a Galilean. As the Peter called down curses swearing he didn't know Jesus, the rooster crowed a second time. The words of Jesus rang in Peter's head. In sadness at the truth of Jesus' prediction, Peter broke down and wept. Fortunately not too long from that night he would get another chance.