Introduction
A. The story is told about a football game that took place between the big animals and the little animals.
1. As you might expect, the large animals had a big lead going into halftime.
2. With a big lead, at the start of the second half, on first down, the big animals called a running play up the middle with Tiger carrying the ball.
a. When Tiger reached the line of scrimmage, down he went.
b. He hobbled back to the huddle and the big animals asked him, “What hit you?”
c. Tiger said, “That centipede.”
3. Next, on second down, the big animals handed the ball off to Lion.
a. With a roar, Lion ran to the line of scrimmage and down he went.
b. Back in the huddle the big animals asked, “What happened?”
c. Lion answered, “It was that centipede!”
4. On third down, the big animals handed the ball off to Rhino.
a. When he too tumbled to the ground at the line of scrimmage, they asked him, “What happened?”
b. Rhino answered, “It was that centipede!”
5. Bewildered, the big animals asked the little animals why the centipede wasn’t in the game during the first half and they said, “He was putting on his shoes.”
6. It would take a centipede a long time to put on his football shoes!
a. He had obviously not planned ahead enough to be prepared for the start of the game.
B. Preparedness is very important.
1. How prepared are you for the game of life?
2. How prepared are you for the mission you’re called to as a disciple of Jesus?
C. Jesus spent three years getting His disciples ready for their mission and here in Mark 14, in His final days before His crucifixion, we see Jesus making final preparations for Himself and His disciples.
1. In today’s sermon, we will explore three special scenes of preparation.
2. First, we will explore the institution of the Lord’s Supper, then the prediction of the disciples’ desertion, and finally, the night of prayer in Gethsemane.
I. Scene #1: Instituting the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:12-26)
A. Mark wrote: 12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “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 the preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. (Mk. 14:12-16)
1. The feast of Unleavened Bread had arrived.
a. It was a celebration that lasted for seven days and began with the slaying of the Paschal lamb on the first day of the festival.
b. The meal was then observed at sundown of the second day of the festival.
2. We notice that Jesus had made advance preparations for this meal, just as He had done in advance of the triumphal entry a few days earlier.
a. Jesus maintained a bit of secrecy by only sending two apostles and I’m certain Judas wasn’t one of them.
b. They were to look for a man carrying a water jar – since it was customary for women to carry out this task, a man carrying a water jar would stand out.
c. The two apostles went into the city, found the man, followed him and made preparations for the meal.
3. At that time in history, it was a rule in Jerusalem that anyone with available space was expected to allow strangers to utilize the space for the special Passover celebration, because many out of towners came to Jerusalem for the Passover and would need a space for the celebration.
a. This man may have been a follower of Jesus or may have been a friend of a follower.
4. Let’s pause a moment and recognize the contribution made by the owner of the house.
a. We don’t know if the man participated in the meal with Jesus or not, but this meal would not have happened without his cooperation.
b. This man represents for us the countless men and women who have made some kind of behind the scenes contribution to God’s kingdom work.
c. Every person’s contribution is needed, no matter how big or small, no matter how noticed or unnoticed by us, but God knows and God rewards.
d. The body is made up of many parts and each part must do its part, so let’s all be prepared and ready to do our part.
B. Mark continued: 17 When evening came, he arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be distressed and to say to him one by one, “Surely not I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread in the bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.” (Mk. 14:17-21)
1. So, when evening came, Jesus and His apostles came together and shared the Passover meal.
2. As they were eating, Jesus spoke up and announced that one of them would betray Him.
a. Perhaps He couldn’t fully celebrate the meaning of the supper until He first cleared the air.
b. Perhaps He was trying to make one final appeal to Judas to change his course of action.
c. Jesus knew that Judas had already received payment from the Jewish leaders to turn Jesus over to them and yet there Judas sat intimately eating with Jesus and the disciples.
3. It is interesting to me that when Jesus made the announcement that one of them would betray Him, none of them pointed an accusing finger at someone in the group, not even at Judas.
a. Rather, each of them looked into their own heart and asked, “Surely not I?”
b. Can you picture Judas playing along with the rest and asking the same question?
4. Jesus knew that Judas was fulfilling the prophesy of Psalm 41:9, which He quoted in John’s parallel version, “He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.” (Jn. 13:18).
a. Mark tells us that Jesus simply said, “It is the one who is dipping bread in the bowl with me.” (vs. 20)
b. In that day, the way meals like that worked, there were several bowls scattered around the table and people dipped their bread in the bowl closest to them.
c. So, Jesus narrowed the potential betrayers down to the two or three sitting closest to Him who were dipping bread in the bowl He was dipping His in – Judas was one of them.
5. In verse 21, Jesus uttered these ominous words: “For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.”
a. Jesus was saying that what was inevitable for Jesus was not necessarily inevitable for Judas.
b. No alternative to the cross was open to Jesus, but Judas didn’t have to be the betrayer.
c. Somehow beyond our comprehension, God’s foreknowledge which saw Judas as the traitor did not force Judas to act that way.
d. The consequences of Judas’ choice and actions were so tragic and severe that it would have been better if he had not been born.
e. Mark doesn’t record any reaction from Judas, but John tells us that Judas immediately left to make the final arrangements for Jesus’ arrest.
6. Can you imagine how unsettling and uncomfortable these words of Jesus must have been for everyone present – for Judas and for all the apostles?
C. Jesus then turned the meal into a perpetual memorial.
1. Mark wrote: 22 As they were eating, he took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mk. 14:22-26)
2. Just like parting friends or lovers often give a souvenir for remembrance, Jesus gave His disciples a way to always remember Him.
3. The Passover meal which they were observing that evening consisted of meat from a male lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs and the fruit of the vine.
a. During the traditional Passover meal there were four times when the cup, filled with diluted wine, was drunk from to be reminded of four promises of God.
4. Jesus took the traditional bread and cup from the Passover and gave it new meaning.
a. The bread was to represent His body given for us and the fruit of the vine was to represent His blood poured out for us.
b. I appreciate how the men of our congregation help us each Sunday to remember Jesus and His sacrifice for us as we share the bread and fruit of the vine together each Sunday.
c. In this simple supper of the Lord, we ourselves are reminded and we proclaim to all those who witness it that the Lord gave Himself for us and that He is coming again.
5. Ultimately, Jesus fulfilled the symbolic purpose of the Passover by dying as God’s spotless Lamb for the sins of all people.
a. And as Paul wrote, “Christ is our Passover Lamb” (1 Cor. 5:7) and we remember that fact every Sunday when we participate in the Lord’s Supper.
6. I love the fact that Mark told us that they closed their meal by singing a hymn together.
a. I love this picture of Jesus singing a song of praise with His disciples – singing hymns unites our hearts and minds and ministers to our souls.
b. Jesus and His disciples left the upper room in Jerusalem and made their way to the Mount of Olives.
II. Scene #2: Predicting The Disciples’ Desertion (Mark 14:27-31)
A. Let’s try to picture Jesus and His disciples as they left the upper room and walked out of Jerusalem and across the Kidron Valley over to the Mount of Olives under the cover of darkness.
1. As they walked together, Jesus shared with them another painful reality – they would all desert Him in the moment of crisis.
2. Mark wrote: 27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will fall away, because it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 29 Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away, I will not.” 30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” And they all said the same thing. (Mk. 14:27-31)
B. It was so important for Jesus to prepare them for what was about to happen to Him and how it would lead to their own personal doubts and failures.
1. Jesus predicted both their failure and their comeback.
2. Jesus quoted from the prophet Zechariah who was predicting the events of Jesus’ last days.
3. Jesus was their Shepherd and the striking of their Shepherd included the events of the betrayal of Jesus, the arrest, the trial and the crucifixion.
4. They all were about to run for their lives and go into hiding, but Jesus would later re-gather them in Galilee.
5. Jesus wanted them to know that their failure would only be temporary and that they would be forgiven and recommissioned.
C. But then, just as we have come to expect, Peter had to say something.
1. Peter immediately broke into Jesus’ presentation and declared himself to be the exception.
a. Peter said, “Certainly these guys will fall away, but not me.”
b. Can you imagine the ego involved that says, “I know you can’t count on these other guys, but you can count on me!”?
c. Can you imagine how the other guys felt as Peter threw them under the bus?
d. The disciples didn’t have to put Peter in his place, because Jesus proceeded to do so.
2. Jesus knew that Peter’s brave words were sincere, but He also knew that Peter’s confidence was in himself and not in God or in God’s ways.
a. So, Jesus said to Peter, “No, truth is, you are going to be the worst offender of them all. Today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me – not once but three times.”
3. Peter should have wisely taken his lumps and believed Jesus’ words, but he didn’t, rather he replied to Jesus with even greater fervor: “Even if I have to die for you, I will never disown you.”
a. And the other apostles all chime in saying the same thing.
b. Jesus didn’t argue with them any further – He knew what was going to happen.
c. Jesus had prepared them for their fall and their future return and that was enough.
D. Have you ever been overconfident and self-assured like Peter was? I know I have at times.
1. Peter was so sure of himself and was so confident that he could handle any situation and withstand any temptation, but he was wrong.
2. In reality, we often don’t know ourselves very well and we really don’t know how we will react under extreme pressure and crisis and temptation.
3. Peter’s mistake is one that we often make – he proclaimed himself to be the exception and whenever anyone does that they are on a slippery slope or on thin ice.
4. Whenever we think that what is dangerous for others isn’t dangerous for us, we are in trouble!
a. What about the proverbial “famous last words...others can’t handle it, but I can.”
b. The drinker who says: “I can take it or leave it…I’m in control.”
c. The drug user who says: “I won’t get hooked.”
d. The gambler who says: “I know when to stop.”
e. The dating couple who says: “we can keep it from going too far sexually.”
f. The consumer of ungodly music or videos who says: “It doesn’t effect me.”
g. The Christian who marries a non-Christian who says: “They won’t keep me from serving the Lord.”
5. Truth is: most people who claim to be the exception, usually become the rule.
6. Our only defense against this common peril is to humbly depend on and obey the Lord.
7. Paul wrote: If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12)
III. Scene #3: Praying in Gethsemane (Mk. 14:32-42)
A. In preparation for Jesus’ inevitable arrest and crucifixion, Jesus retreated with His disciples to His usual place of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.
1. The name “Gethsemane” is a forewarning in itself – it is synonymous with “tribulation” and literally means “place of oil presses.”
2. When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, He was seeking the blessings of fellowship with God the Father and with His disciples.
3. Mark wrote: 32 Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he told his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.” (Mk. 14:32-34)
4. Leaving eight of His disciples in one location, Jesus took the three members of His inner circle to another part of the garden to watch with Him in prayer.
5. To this inner three, Jesus revealed more of His inner thoughts and the distress He was feeling.
6. Jesus experienced deeper anguish than any of us have probably ever known.
a. Before this moment, He had theoretically accepted the responsibility for bearing the sins of the world, but now, the terror of the moment brought the reality of its real meaning.
b. Jesus realized that He must die alone; His friends would desert Him and His Father would have to turn away from Him.
c. With the combined weight of this turmoil, Jesus confessed that His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death – He was in a deep, dark place – Have you been there?
B. After that declaration, Jesus slipped away and privately spoke with His Father.
1. Mark wrote: 35 He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” (Mk. 14:35-36)
2. Certain truths become clear about Jesus from this garden experience.
3. First, we learn that Jesus didn’t really want to die.
a. A part of Jesus didn’t want to die – He was so young – no one wants to die in their early 30s.
b. His ministry had been so short and there was so much more that could be done – people to love and lessons to be taught.
c. And there was the horror of death by crucifixion to face – it was a terrible way to die.
4. Second, we learn that Jesus did not consider it out of order to plead with His Heavenly Father.
a. Jesus fell to the ground before God and prayed earnestly that God would change the plan.
b. He prayed that the cup of suffering be taken from Him if it was possible.
c. We must realize that Jesus really did have a choice in the matter.
d. There were two “wills” in the garden – Jesus’ will and God’s will – and the two wills were in conflict with each other.
e. Here we witness the humanity of Jesus that we can identify with – He didn’t want to die and He asked for a way out.
f. It’s okay for our will to be at odds with God’s will and to request for God to reconsider.
5. But third, we learn that in the end, Jesus submitted, perfectly and totally to the will of God.
a. While Jesus prayed hoping that God’s will might be the same as His will, He was resigned to accept God’s will as His own – yet not my will but your will be done.
C. Mark tells us that this prayer time of Jesus was in three repeated sessions.
1. Mark wrote: 37 Then he came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Once again he went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to him. (Mk. 14:37-40)
2. Here we see a great contrast between Jesus and the apostles.
a. Their fierce resolve and determination to be true to Jesus was easily overcome.
b. Jesus told them to watch and pray, but they were two tired to stay awake.
c. Their spirit was willing, but their body was weak.
d. Let’s not be too hard on them – it was the middle of the night – and the week had been physically and emotionally exhausting – the triumphal entry, the clearing of the temple, the teachings, the dinners, the predictions of betrayal and desertion – it was exhausting!
3. Nevertheless, Jesus communed with His Father through the night.
a. After many hours of prayer, saying the same thing three times, Jesus accepted the verdict of His Father.
b. His renunciation of self and acceptance of God’s will give us a model of true sonship.
c. The adjustment of His own will to bring it in accordance with God’s will wasn’t easy, but it was made easier by the fact that He had been doing it for all eternity.
d. Practice does make perfect!
4. Jesus came back to His disciples a final time.
a. Mark wrote: 41 Then he came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. See, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.” (Mk. 14:41-42)
b. Jesus’ time in prayer with His Father had made a huge difference and had prepared Him for what was next.
c. “Jesus the sorrowful” and “Jesus the overwhelmed” was transformed into “Jesus the strong, determined and courageous Son.”
d. Jesus was ready to carry out His assignment and fulfill God’s will.
D. From this episode in Jesus’ life, we learn many things that can be so helpful in our lives.
1. First, we learn that when we face our deepest valley or face our greatest conflict, we must turn to our Heavenly Father in prayer.
a. When we go through our hardest times and are emotionally in turmoil, then that is the time to go to a quiet place and lay our heart open to God.
2. Second, we learn that when we face our deepest valley or face our greatest conflict, we must ask our closest friends to watch and pray with us.
a. We must never try to go it alone – we need others to stand beside us and to pray for us.
b. This is not a sign of weakness rather is the way God designed us – God made us for community not for isolation.
c. Even though people may let us down and not stand with us perfectly, there is still help and strength that comes by being surrounded by those who love us.
3. Finally, we learn that our biggest battles are won before they take place.
a. Before Jesus experienced the betrayal, arrest and crucifixion, He was at peace resting Himself in the will of God and was strengthened by prayer.
b. Our ongoing walk with God in which we daily submit ourselves to God’s will and continually find our strength in God, will prepare us in advance for the battles we will face.
c. To enter the spiritual battle without proper advance spiritual preparation, is like trying to run a marathon without any preparation and practice.
d. Once the marathon begins, it is too late to get ready for it, the preparations should have taken place months and weeks in advance.
e. The same is true of our spiritual preparations – if we haven’t done them in advance, then it is too late when the storm arrives, or the battle begins.
Conclusion:
A. In today’s section from Mark, we see how Jesus prepared Himself and His disciples for the future.
1. Have we, and are we making the right preparations for what we will face as disciples of Jesus?
2. I hope so! Let’s be vigilant and let’s be spiritually disciplined so that we will always be prepared for whatever comes, when it comes.
Resources:
• Truth for Today Commentary: Mark 1-8 and 9-16, Martel Pace, Resources Communications.
• The Fine Line Between Love and Hate, Sermon by David Owens
• Will You Pass the Test? Sermon by David Owens
• Mark, The Communicator’s Commentary, David McKenna
