MARK - CHAPTER 14:- 44-46 - JESUS ARRESTED

MARK – Chapter 14: 44-46 – JESUS ARRESTED

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

April 4, 2023, the Year of Our Lord

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

It is a Tuesday of Passover week, and our study of Jesus’ arrest falls on the same day that President Trump is being arrested in New York City.

Just as Christ triumphed over injustice at the Cross, He is still triumphing over injustice for His redeemed. Yes, we too, may have to drink from His cup. Donald J. Trump is drinking from Christ’s cup of being falsely accused by injustice. At some time in our Christian journey, we will all be falsely accused or falsely spoken about. It is the journey of taking up our cross. This is also a false arrest which is a high price to pay for his calling as President of the United States.

The story in Mark, Chapter 14 is on what Christianity has described as Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday. It is the day of the washing of the feet of the disciples, the anointing at Bethany, the last Supper of Jesus, the betrayal of Judas, the agony of Gethsemane and His arrest. Mark does not include the story of the washing of the disciple’s feet.

Mark 14:1: After two days, it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him my trickery and put Him to death. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

“The Jewish Feast of Passover meant a complete separation from Egypt’s (the world’s) gods, religion, bondage, food, works, chronos time (under the sun), and slavery; and God’s deliverance into Glory, Wisdom and Might and a new measure of time (Ex. 12: 1-2). The Feast of Unleavened Bread was the practical separation from all known evil, and all that has corrupting influence in the life of the believer.

With the coming of the Passover festival, the head of the house would cleanse his house of all leaven. For seven days no leaven was to be seen in his house. All in the house must eat of the unleavened bread from the 1st day to the 7th day. Anyone found with leaven would be cut off.

Jesus Christ is the Passover Lamb and the Bread of Life. He instituted the Lord’s Supper on the Thursday before Passover which sealed the New Covenant of His Blood and His Body.

We are to keep this feast in two ways Cor. 5: 7-8: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1. In sincerity---in clearness, purity; the opposite of the corrupting influences of impurity and hypocrisy. (Honesty)

2. In truth---Truth; the opposite to lying and deceit. The opposite to the leaven of “malice and wickedness.”

To eat the unleavened bread is to eat a pure word:

1. We keep this Feast when we put away all evil doctrine and evil practices. The sanctified (separated) life is the unleavened life, not allowing secret or corrupting influences of evil to puff up the believer in any area of his relationship to Christ, both Head and Body. (Gal. 5: 19-26; Eph. 4: 17-32; Col. 3: 1-17).

2. We keep this Feast when we keep the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 10-11; Jn. 6). There is now a restoration of pure truth to the Body, causing us to live in genuine fellowship and communion with all the saints as we recognize and submit to one another (no sourdough).

The final part of the Feast of Passover is the Feast of the Sheaf of Firstfruits. It is fulfilled in 1 Cor. 15: 20-23 and speaks of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Lamb (His death) and the Sheaf (His resurrection); also, the bread and wine, typifying the Lord’s Supper in which the believer remembers Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The Church of the Firstborn has been delivered by the Blood of the Passover Lamb which is the foundation of the Christian faith.” (Sermon notes, Jesus Christ, The Passover Lamb, Sissom 3/25/12).

THE ANOINTING AT BETHANY:

Jesus spent his last evening in Bethany,

Mark 14:3-9: Being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. There were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denari and given to the poor.” They criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good, but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told as a memorial to her.”

This is controversial because many have taught this was Mary Magdalene. I only know what John wrote regarding the sister of Martha and Lazarus.

John 11:2: (It was Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick).

(It is my persuasion that the anointing by the woman with the alabaster box (Luke 7) is a separate incident from the anointing by Mary???).

It is believed by some commentators that since this was Simon’s house; he may have been the Father of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Jn. 12:3: Mary brought out a whole pound of very expensive perfume and poured it over Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the perfume was such that it saturated the entire house.

This was an amazing act of devotion, amounting to a great honor conferred upon Jesus. The odor of royalty saturated the house and perhaps even to the countryside. It is hard for us to conceive the value of this act. For we do not count oriental perfumes among our family treasures; To use a full pound in such a fashion was unheard of, no matter how wealthy a person might be.

JUDAS AGREES TO BETRAY JESUS

Mark 14:10-11: Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So, he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.

Bet Amante loaned me a book, The Search for the Twelve Apostles, by: William Steuart McBirnie, PH.D.; Tyndale House, Publisher.

He makes some interesting observations about Judas. One I find fascinating in light of Zech. 11:12-14: I said unto them, ‘If you think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear, so they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver, and the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter; a goodly price that I was priced at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. Then I cut asunder my other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

It is significant that Judas was the only apostle who was not a Galilean but was a Judean. As his name suggests he was from Judah of Kerioth (Judas Iscariot). This is a small town some few miles south of Hebron. McBirnie suggests that Judas’ desire for a political deliverer plus his desire for the money and favor with the Pharisees is how he justified his actions.

Jesus drew the other disciples to Himself through cords of love. However, from Judas’ fettered greed and disappointed ambition sprang jealousy, spite, and hatred. It was hatred not of a strong but of an essentially weak man. Instead of making an open breach with his Lord, he remained as one of His followers; and this continued contact with a goodness to which he would not yield, (Mark 14:10) and his brooding over the rebukes of his Master, gave ready entrance for “Satan to enter into him.”

It is noted that there was a difference in temperament, social outlook and petty prejudices of the people of Judah and the people of Galilee. I believe that is still true today. “His life is a lesson which points vividly to the pitfalls of our spiritual pilgrimage.”

THE DISCIPLES PREPARE THE PASSOVER ROOM

Mark 14:12-18: On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?” He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.” So, his disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. In the evening, He came with the twelve. As they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” They began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” He answered and said to them “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.”

Tradition has it that the room where the Lord’s supper was held was the home of John Mark.

In John 13:18, Jesus is quotes Psalm 41:9. He that eats bread with Me has lifted his heel against Me. (that scripture may be fulfilled).

“Lifting up the heel” is a metaphor derived from wrestling when a contestant feints with his upper body and then with his heel sweeps the opponent off his feet. He signals out Judas as one who eats bread with him, pretending to be his disciple, but intending to betray him.

Why Judas? Satan’s selection of Judas gives us a profile of Satan’s methods unfolded in his man or woman.

1. Closeness: Judas was intimate with Jesus, one of the twelve.

2. Hideous: In betraying innocence for money, we see the exaltation of “mammon” as the real god of unbelievers.

3. Disguised: Satan’s agents are found among the servants of the Lord.

4. Immune to Truth: Judas was a participator in Jesus’ miracles, a sharer of His Words of life, yet never saved.

5. Treacherous: Posing as a friend, Judas schemed to betray Him. Satan uses a man’s family and friends to betray us. In Judas we see evil in action.

At this point the disciples had no idea who the traitor was. But we are not told of their reaction to his exposure. This is a testimony of Jesus’ love for Judas and his desire to give him every chance to repent of his evil.

The story of the disciples following the man with the water pot is beautiful and I am sure references Jesus as the water of life. Rev. 22:17: Let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

JESUS INSTITUTES THE LORD’S SUPPER

Mark 14:22-26: As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat, this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when he had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. Assuredly, I say to 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.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

“On Thursday evening, the Lord of Glory, at the close of the Paschal supper, in the small upper room on Mount Zion, instituted in the presence of His disciples, the great New Testament memorial feast. “When they had sang a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.” The hymn would have been the traditional Hebrew Hallel, (Psa. 116-118). The hymn was a nation’s prayer for the coming of her King, a nation’s supplication for the offering of the great sacrificial oblation. But it contains in a nobler, truer sense, the utterances of Messiah Himself. We could pray these same Psalms for President Trump as this is a day he is greatly afflicted.

The Lord made seven covenants with mankind. Jesus Christ fulfilled all seven. Jeremiah prophesied of the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34) promising that God would forgive sin and have a close, unbroken relationship with His people. The promise was first made to Israel and then extended to everyone who comes to Jesus Christ in faith. When Jesus concluded His ministry of starting His Church and establishing His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven, the old order of Temple worship had served as a copy and shadow of heavenly things. This is the “last days” of animal sacrifices in the temple (Heb. 9:22-10:6).

Hebrews 8:6: “Now He has obtained a more excellent ministry by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant which has been enacted on better promises.

Hebrews 9: 11-13: But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood. He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh. How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleans your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Hebrews 10:12: He having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time sat down at the right Hand of God.

Heb. 12: 22-24: You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

Jesus fulfilled the sacrifices, the feast days, the temple, and the priesthood of the Old Covenant which “served as a copy and shadow of heavenly things” …It was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavenlies to be cleansed, but these heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. (Heb. 9:23)

JESUS PREDICTS PETER’S DENIAL

Mark 14:27-31: Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. After I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to Him, “even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise. God sometimes abandons us to correct our weakness. In great passion, Peter declared his loyalty and devotion to Jesus. (They all did likewise)

Yet, when his heart was tested during persecution and the prospect of actually losing his life, Peter fell, not once, but three times. When we fail, and we all have failed and will fail again, let us correct our weakness, that we may overcome. Jesus quotes the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 of the scattering of the sheep at His arrest. The phrase “and Peter” is used each time Peter interjected himself into the situation. When the Lord send the disciples for him after his resurrection, He said, “And Peter.”

GETHSEMANE:

“In this garden flows the never-failing river of God which waters the new Paradise” (MacDuff).

“The Pattern Son, Jesus Christ went through two gardens to open up the Third Garden, which is the Paradise of God.” (Author unknown)

1. The Garden of Gethsemane (“Olive Press”) (Mt. 26:30-39): Father if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but your will be done.”

2. The Garden of the Cross and the Tomb: They took the Body of Jesus and wound it in linen clothes with the spices…In the place where He was crucified was a garden; and in the garden, a new grave where was never man yet laid.

Mark 14: 32-36: Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane, and He said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with Him. 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.

It was indeed prayer, but such a wrestling---such a soul struggle as neither earth nor heaven had ever before witnessed. Heb.5:7b: With strong, crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death.

Three of the apostles were selected to be within a stone’s throw of their beloved master, and to be witnesses of His humiliation. It is the same three who had been the witnesses of His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. It is Peter and the two sons of Zebedee.

Mark 14:37-39: Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Mark says, “He became sore amazed and very heavy.” Matthew says, “His soul became sorrowful --- exceedingly sorrowful.” Great drops of blood mingling with His sweat, are the exponents of superhuman agony. Three times he rises and goes to the three disciples, telling them of his anguish, and then returning afresh to the conflict.

Mark 14: 40-42: When He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? If is enough! The hour has come; behold the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

Luke 22:43-44: Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. Being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. The angel did not tell him that he was sent to answer his prayer that if it be possible this cup pass from him, No! the angel strengthened Christ to wage His battle against my sin and save me and His Church to eternity. He then was able to pray, “Thy will be done.” At last, the conflict is ended, the soul conflict at least. The Physical suffering is before Him, but He won the battle in prayer. He has now come forth as conqueror.

Isa. 63:1-5: Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah. This One who is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Why is Your apparel red and your garments like one who treads in the wine-press? I have trodden the wine-press alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger and trampled them in My fury; their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My robes. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of My redeemed has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, and I wondered that there was no one to uphold; therefore, My own arm brought salvation for Me. And My own fury, it sustained Me.

BETRAYAL AND ARREST IN GETHSEMANE

Mark 14: 43-46: Immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, he is the One, seize Him and lead Him away safely.” As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi! And kissed Him. Then they laid their hand on Him and took Him.

Carolyn Sissom, Pastor

Eastgate Ministries Church

10115 West Hidden Lakes Lane

Richmond, TX 77406

www.eastgateministries.com Scripture from N.K.J.V. – I entered the labors of Brighter Than the Sun and Memories of Bethany by J. R. Macduff; Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of Bro. Macduff.