Sunday Sermon
sunday 30th May morning service
Mk 14v1-9
Following chapter 13 where Jesus teaches the disciples about coming apocalyptic events he tells them simply to “watch” 13v37. (watch through the worlds events to Gods control, Watch out for others as God ambassadors and Watch up for Christ’s return).
Then into chapter 14 and only two days away from the crucifixion!
What will Jesus do with the remaining time?
Simply he prepares for His death:
Chapter 14 marks the final run up to the cross.
In it we see all the pieces of the jigsaw fall into place.
In verse 1-11 we see: plotting death, proving devotion and perpetrating deceit :
In all of this God is Providing deliverance!!
1) plotting death v1-2:
The Passover celebration was the time when the Israelites would remember the escape from Egypt and sacrifice again a lamb in memory.
It was a great time of celebration, getting together, pilgrimage to Jerusalem etc.
But Mark tells us that the people who were in charge of keeping the whole celebration running smoothly had their minds on other things!
The chief priests and the teachers of the law were considering how to arrest and kill Jesus!
Little did they know however that they were in fact preparing the Perfect Lamb of God for the greater Passover!
· This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. Acts 2v23
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Focus on God in all of this scheming and plotting.
Consider Gods great power and wisdom to work out salvation in all of this!
These evil men, planning and scheming were actually following God’s will.
And what about our lives?
We may have many problems that we can hardly deal with, where must we look?
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
2) proving devotion: v3-9
Meanwhile in Bethany Jesus was enjoying the hospitality of Simon the Leper.
When a woman comes along with a very expensive jar of perfume!
Which she pours on His head!
We know from other accounts that this was Mary the sister of Martha.
V4-5 this action enraged some of those there! They began to tell the woman off!
Not in any gentle way either – the word refers to the snorting horses make!
All that money, more than 300 denarii – a denarius was a day’s wage for a soldier! - could have been used to help the poor!
Again from other accounts we know the main complainer here was Judas!
He looked with jealousy at the anointing thinking that some of the money could have ended up in his pocket!
But then Jesus steps in to defend his devoted follower!
Saying she has worked a beautiful work for him.
She has done what she could – she has prepared his body for burial!
The chief priest and scribes were preparing for the execution of Jesus.
The woman was preparing for His burial, by doing what she could – anointing his body.
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Have we been doing all we can for Jesus?
Or have we been standing back, criticising what others are doing?!
For some reason we find it so easy to sit back and criticise others!
Why? Because we are failures! And we know it!
We criticise other to deflect attention from ourselves.
But to wonder about what others are doing is to miss the point!
The question to ask is : am I doing all I can for Jesus?
God wants us at whatever stage we are at to be doing all we can.
Little children love to help their parents but often they are more of a hindrance!
Yet the parent loves the attempt. No matter what stage we are at God loves the attempt!
· But what encouragement is there to do all we can?
Is that not a bit extreme?
The encouragement is that our loving acts of faithfulness for Jesus Christ will have consequences beyond our wildest dreams!
The final word that Jesus gives to the critical disciples is that, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, her story will also be told in memory of her!
We remember her loving devotion to the Lord today still, 2000 years later!
3) perpetrating deceit : v10-11
Following the anointing and the rebuke that Jesus handed out, Judas has had enough!
Judas! One of the 12! Goes to the chief priest! To betray Jesus!
When the chief priests hear they rejoice!! And promise to pay!
Then Judas begins his work of seeking to find an easy way to hand Jesus over.
From the human perspective this is all so horrible.
The rejoicing of the priests at the premeditated murder. The back stabbing of Judas!
Yet this is all God working out our salvation. (Gen50v20, Ps118v22-23)
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Finally we can only wonder afresh at Gods plan of salvation:
How he used these horrible plans to bring around our salvation!
Gen 50v20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
· And again we need to apply that to our own situations.
Even the most horrible of circumstances God uses to redeem us, as we follow him.
People can try all they like to harm us, but if God is for us who can be against us?!
sunday 30th May evening service
Mark 14v12-16
The day of the Passover had arrived. The disciples were eager to get things ready.
They ask Jesus what is to be done and he gives them clear instructions, similar to the instructions given about finding the colt (11v2-6).
What can we notice from this section?
1) Gods Time and Management!
a) Gods timing. V12 Timing is everything!
“timing is everything. There is a tide in the affairs of men which when taken at the flood leads on to fortune” W. Shakespeare (Julius Caesar, Act 4)
This is the day the Passover was celebrated. Gods salvation was remembered and expected again. And here the Lamb of God prepares for his own slaughter.
The timing of the meal was important – it happened on the Thursday evening.
The lamb was killed then the people went free!
Now the Lamb is killed and the many are set free!
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Gods timing in all this no accident!
“Romans 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
God accommodated his timing to the history of Israel so that his plan of salvation can be seen as clearly as possible to all who have eyes to see!
Why? Because God longs to save and he has done all he can to prove that.
As if giving His Son was not enough, everything else is perfect and done in the proper way at the proper time!!
Leaving us with no excuse if we ignore such a great salvation.
b) Gods control. V13-15. Gods Management.
Jesus knew exactly how things were going to pan out.
The man carrying the water jar. The house, the large furnished upper room etc.
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It is not just the great events of salvation that God has control over:
Eph1v11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
EVERYTHING!!
Jesus knows all the details of our lives and how things will work out!
How should that make us feel about him!?
· We should stand in awe of such a One!
2) Our Time Management
a) the obedient disciples. V16
They follow the instructions as given by the Lord.
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Gods knowing all the events of our life and how they will come to pass does not leave us as lifeless puppets on a stage.
In his greatness God has worked into creation our ability to live freely as responsible agents!
We have choices to make, we can obey or disobey!
The disciples obey the instructions of Jesus! But in the instructions there was room for freedom and creativity!
Some of the instruction had to be followed exactly – word for word!
But much of it involved their own instinct and creativity “make ready for us”.
That involved using their own gifts and talents etc.
We have clear guidelines to follow but also freedom within the principles.
We all have gifts and time and talents that we are to use imaginatively for God.
b) the focus on Jesus.
The disciples want to prepare the meal for Jesus v12, for Him to eat it. V14 my room, i may eat, my disciples.
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What is the best way to live with the freedom that God has given us?
By focusing on Jesus! He is our great Lord!
Everything we do should be for Him.
That way we will be kept from sin and messing up
3) Our need of a Teacher!
The “Teacher” v14.
Jesus gives himself the title “teacher”!
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How do we get to the place where we focus on Jesus and do all things for him?
By seeking Jesus as our Teacher.
Every day we come to him as students / apprentices to learn and practice!
View Him as your personal tutor and take the necessary steps in your life that you need to so that you can hear from your Tutor and practice what He has to teach!
Intelligent thought and decision making is required as a student to the Master.
