In Episode 19, Jesus moves determinedly, agonizingly toward his final passion, feeling the full weight of his coming destiny. We see the contrast between the devotion of an unnamed woman anointing Jesus with costly perfume and the treachery of Judas grasping for a few pieces of silver even at the cost of betrayal. We hear Jesus offer himself as a sacrifice, even while he could foresee that all his disciples would soon desert him. And we experience the distinction between the agony of Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and his friends’ clueless slumber. We also come to a deeper understanding of what Jesus’ death really means for us and see how we should approach God in prayer when we are in deep distress.
00:00 Opening comments
02:28 Devotion and treachery at the table (14:1-11)
13:24 Sacrifice and desertion in the upper room (14:12-31)
34:06 Agony and resting in the garden (14:32-42)
44:42 Closing comments
Study Questions for Mark 14:1-42
1. What effect does Mark achieve by sandwiching the story of the treachery of the Jewish officials and Judas with the story of the woman anointing Jesus with perfume (14:1-11)?
2. How did Jesus defend the woman who offered up her expensive perfume (vv. 6-7)? Why did he defend her?
3. When Jesus announced that one of those present would betray him, why did they each respond, ”Surely, you don’t mean me (v. 9)?”
4. How did Jesus expand the meaning of the Passover bread and wine (vv. 22-24)? How much do you think the disciples understood? How do Jesus’ comments explain the meaning of his coming death?
5. Why does Jesus, who has marched resolutely toward his destiny, now have such torment in His spirit (vv. 33-36)? Is it more difficult for you to surrender your will to God or to act on that decision?
6. Why did Jesus urge his disciples to watch and pray (v. 34, 38)?
7. What can we learn about prayer from Jesus’ experience in the Garden of Gethsemane?
I am not releasing new episodes during the Christmas holidays. I will return on January 12 with the first episode in our second season on the early chapters of Genesis. I would love to have you join me.
Episodes released every two weeks on Monday
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