Jesus: Preparing Us for Change – Mark 14:1-42, John 13 & 14

Today we’re considering days 28-30 of our Lenten reading plan. Mark 14 opens with the plot to kill Jesus and the anointing of Jesus at Bethany, then goes on to describe the preparations for Passover, a brief glimpse of that final supper with the twelve including the prediction of Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial, and the prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. John 13 and 14 delve deeper into that last supper with Jesus washing the disciple’s feet and sharing with them those final things they need to know before it all goes down.

Mark 14:1-42

Sometimes change comes suddenly without any warning. Other times you can feel it on the horizon. Anticipation of something not quite known hovering just beyond your reach. I imagine it was this general sort of unease blanketing the atmosphere at an otherwise normal dinner, two days before Passover, when an unnamed woman casually anoints Jesus with an expensive perfume. The indignation of the dinner guests prompts him to declare,

“You always have the poor with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want,                but you do not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body in advance for burial.” (Mark 14:7-8)

Talk about setting the mood! But then again, this time is all about preparation. Change is coming. Soon Jesus will not be with them.

Mark gives lets us in on the climate at the beginning of the week by sharing the murderous desires of the chief priests and scribes (v.1-2). After the anointing, Judas sets up the plan to betray Jesus (v.10). Two of the disciples are sent to prepare the Passover meal in a home of someone in the city (v. 12-16). During dinner, Jesus prepares his disciples for the new covenant and warns them of their upcoming betrayals.

“All of you will fall away, because it is written: I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.” (v. 27)”

Finally, in the garden, Jesus prepares himself for the great agony he will face on our behalf.

John 13

John was there. He reclined at the table with Jesus and the other disciples. He watched his Lord wash his feet, the ultimate example of all that Jesus has taught them.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (v. 3-5)

He wondered along with the others, who could possibly betray them? He soaked in the words of his teacher and friend, not understanding, but like so many times before, trusting that understanding would come.

John 14

With Judas, the betrayer, gone from the table, Jesus pours out promises to comfort and instruct them about the dark days ahead.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (vv. 6-7)

 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (v.14)

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (vv.16-17)

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (v. 26)

And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. (v. 29)