• The Explore the Bible lesson for Nov. 12 focuses on Mark 14:32–42.
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Surprise Anointing of Jesus’ Body (Mark 14:3-9)
On Wednesday of Holy Week, while reclining at table in a friend’s home, Jesus’ head was anointed by a woman using a whole jar of expensive perfume. Critics in the room said “too costly, should have given its value to the poor.” The act was outrageous and inappropriate except—the recipient is Jesus who dies for the world’s sins on Friday. There are no critics among Jesus’ followers down through the centuries. We see beautifully expressed gratitude.
Jesus commended her on the spot. The woman was willing to show gratitude to Jesus.
Surprise Betrayal (Mark 14:10-11)
On his own initiative, Judas, a disciple, goes to chief priests and offers to betray Jesus. His offer delighted them. Money is promised.
Why? Judas was blessed by three intimate, preparatory years with Jesus and disciples. He was part of the mission group Jesus sent out two by two. The 12 disciples preached repentance, cast out demons, and healed people together.
Judas becomes a predator, willing to sell out our Savior.
The Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26)
Preparations for supper surprisingly already have been made for this last Passover Seder with Jesus’
disciples. The large guest room upstairs is ready.
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Reclining together at the table, Jesus announces betrayal. “It is one dipping bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays him! It would be better if he had not been born.”
Jesus takes bread and gives thanks to God. He breaks it and gives it to the disciples. “Take it; this is my body!” He takes a cup and gives thanks for it. They all drink from the same cup. “This is my blood of the covenant poured out for many. The next time I drink the fruit of the vine will be in the kingdom of God.” The disciples were willing to drink from a shared cup.
They sang a hymn and then walked across the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial (Mark 14:27-31)
“You will all fall away;” Jesus says. It is written by Zechariah.
“Not me!” Peter declares.
“Tonight, before the rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times.” Jesus tells him.
“Never! Even if I have to die with you.” Peter asserts. They all agree. They are willing.
Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42)
Jesus and the disciples enter the garden called Gethsemane. Jesus asks them to sit while he prays, and he takes Peter, James and John aside. He begins to be deeply distressed and troubled. He says to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” He asks the disciples to stay near him and keep watch.
Going a little farther, he falls to the ground. Jesus prays that “if possible, the hour might pass from him.” “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me!” Is there any utterance of Jesus more human than this bargaining plea?
It is at this point in a man’s life when he could choose to “lean on his own understanding” and turn away from the “cup.” Jesus knew what Paul was to write later: God “made him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This night, everything depends on Jesus.
“Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Jesus is willing.
Millions of doomed people suffered far less than Jesus. People who knew their physical freedom was ending. Friends were abandoning them—mistreatment, torture and execution were imminent. They steeled themselves to get through their ordeal. We hope they were ministered to by angels.
Jesus’ suffering is far greater. He knows the physical horror of impending torture and death at the hands of cruel Roman killers. He feels sorrow for people in their sin-ravaged lives. He bears the wrath of God for humanity’s sins imputed (accounted) to him and suffers the agony of feeling abandoned by God!
Jesus returns to his disciples. They are sleeping. “Peter, are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Pray to not fall into temptation. (I know) the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
The sleeping and awakening pattern happens three times. The disciples sleep because their bodies are paralyzed at the immensity of the horror that is upon them.
Angels attend Jesus.
“The hour has come. The Son of Man is delivered into the hands of the sinners.”
“Rise. Let us go. Here comes my betrayer.”
Glen Funderburk has taught children’s Sunday school for many years. These lessons on the Gospel of Mark are written from the perspective of children.
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