Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14:10-11
In contact to Mary’s act of devotion to Jesus, Judas sought to betray him. Mark specifically identities him as one of the Twelve. He was an insider, close to Jesus. Yet, he met with members of the Sanhedrin, agreed on a price, and began to look for the opportunity to betray.
Mark does not name the price as Matthew does. Instead he focused on Judas’ greed and the depth of his betrayal as one close to Jesus.
Preparations For The Passover Supper
14:12-16
The week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread arrived. The first day of the Feast is Passover. Mark specifically tells us it is the day when the Jews sacrificed their sacrificial Passover lamb. He wanted us to know that Jesus died on Passover, sacrificing himself for sin just as the lamb was traditionally sacrificed. (Exodus 12)
The arrangements that were made for Jesus to observe the Passover with his disciples are all directed by Jesus. He sent two disciples into Jerusalem, the only place the Passover could be observed. He arranged for them to meet a man who had a place furnished and ready for them. They met him and prepared the Passover meal. (16) It was customary for the residents of Jerusalem to make spare rooms in their houses available for visitors to observe the Passover.
This shows us that Jesus is in control of events, not one who is caught up in events controlled by others. Jesus did not retreat, he followed the course he chose to follow in accordance with the Father’s plan.
Here is an interesting side light to the story. The room here is described as a large upper room. (15) The room where the disciples met after Jesus’ ascension is also called “the upper room”. (Acts 1:13) Further, when Peter was in prison before the angel set him free, the disciples were meeting and praying. Peter went there to join them. That house was owned by Mary, the mother of John Mark, the author of this gospel account. (Acts 12:12)
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
14:17-21
Although the Passover was a celebration, Jesus introduced sorrow. He told his followers that one of them eating with him, one of the Twelve, would betray him. (18) Jesus cast the announcement in terms of Psalm 41:9: “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me”.
They kept asking “is it I”. (19) The other gospel accounts show us that Jesus pointed out Judas as his betrayer.
Jesus knew he would go to his death as it was written of him (21). For example. This implies divine purpose. He was obedient to the will of the Father.
There are no references in the Old Testament to the Son of Man dying. Jesus identified himself with the suffering servant of Isaiah. See Isaiah 53.
However, although it was God’s will for him to die, his betrayer would suffer for his actions. (21) Jesus pronounced a “woe” upon him: It would be better for him not to have been born. God may use the evil acts of men for his purposes, but the man is still responsible for his actions.
The Lord’s Supper
14:22-25
Mark does not describe everything that happens at the meal, but focuses again on Jesus, his actions and his words. He begins with the group reclining at table and eating. (18)
During the Passover meal, 4 cups of wine were consumed ritually, reciting prayers and scripture passages. The meal is eaten after the ritual of the 2nd cup. When the 2nd cup was poured, the host would pray over it, then recite Exodus 6:6b: “I will deliver you from slavery”.
The food is then served, along with two unleavened bread wafers. Each person breaks his neighbor’s bread, they dip it and eat it. Then the meal is eaten. This is apparently when Jesus introduces the Lord’s Supper.
He took one of the wafers of bread, blessed it and broke it. He told them to eat it, saying “this is my body”.
Then he took the cup of wine, maybe the 3rd ritual cup, gave thanks, gave it to the disciples, who all drank of it. Normally, with the 3rd cup, the host again quotes part of Exodus 6:6: “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.” The disciples drank it.
Then Jesus said “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured our for many”. (24) Jesus would give his whole self for the disciples, dying on the cross.
There is a reflection here of the inauguration of the Old Covenant. When the Israelites committed to God’s covenant, Moses took the blood of sacrificed oxen and threw it on the people, saying “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words”. (Exodus 24:3-8)
Here, the blood was not thrown on them, but symbolically taken into them. The blood of animals was a type of the blood of Jesus, which is the only effective blood of the covenant. Jesus’ death is vicarious, in place of ours, as sacrifice for sin. He “bore the sin of many”. (Isaiah 53:12)
Jesus would then lead the disciples to drink the 4th and final ritual cup of wine. There is a prayer of blessing, then the host recites the final clause of Exodus 6:6-7:
“Then I will take you as my people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
Jesus then said he would not drink wine again until that day when he drinks it new in the kingdom of God, looking forward to consummated kingdom. (25)
Finally, they sang a hymn, traditionally Psalms 115-118. After the hymn, the left Jerusalem and headed for the Mount of Olives. (26)
Why do we observe the Lord’s Supper? Because Jesus told us to. “Do this in remembrance of me”. (Luke 22:19.) “Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)
It reminds us, as a church body, that he died for us and we are redeemed by the blood he shed for us.
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