Mark 14:22-25 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”
 
MAY this scripture help you to more fully understand God’s deep love for your soul. Note carefully Jesus’ words to begin this Last Supper as recorded in Luke 22:15 I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. He is eager – enthusiastic, impatient, passionate – to eat with his disciples. He knows this is the beginning of the new covenant of blood for the salvation of all who believe. His words and his actions reveal the Way to Life. Through the Son, the Father is opening the door for mankind to receive eternal life.
   That’s why the Last Supper is called communion. When Jesus broke the bread he said, “This is my body.” His body was broken on the cross for his disciples with him that night. His body was also broken for all his disciples until his second coming. Then with the cup of wine in hand he promised, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”  Note this promise isn’t for all people. It is for many. The many, again, are those who are his disciples who confess and believe, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior, risen from the dead.” Jesus’ very personal sacrifice is a promise only to those who promise to follow him in faith.
   Jesus’ words and actions that night were very similar to a Jewish engagement ceremony. The groom to be would raise his glass of wine to his bride and commit his life to hers.
   Jesus broke the bread, and he raised the cup. Then he said, “This is for you.” Will you grasp the promise to receive his great payment for your sin? Receive Jesus and live in joy! The Lord Jesus is offering to commune with you in the unity of your faith in God: Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
   The God of creation has offered his very essence to you, so you will commune with him forever.

Mark 14:10-11, 16-18 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over…16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me.”
 
BETRAYAL is very hard to forgive. If you want to deeply hurt someone, betray their trust in you. They’ll harbor hard feelings against you for a very long time, perhaps for the rest of their lives. What causes one to betray friends, business associates or family? Why would Judas betray Jesus?
   Pride and self-focus is the root of betrayal. Judas’ focus was a common one. He wanted money.  He bartered Jesus’ life for 30 pieces of silver. Perhaps there are other reasons, but regardless of what we think, Judas betrayed Jesus for his own perverted reason. To the betrayer, “Me” has high priority over “We”. 
   In contrast, Jesus demonstrates he is in complete union with the Father’s will. Jesus, of course, knew his disciple’s self-focused heart. He even told Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” John 13:27b. Jesus purposefully and faithfully moved forward to complete God’s plan to be your Savior. To do otherwise, Jesus would have betrayed the Father, and he would have betrayed you. There is only “You.” in Jesus’ sacrificial love.
     We can also note that Judas wasn’t the only betrayer in Jerusalem that week. Read how the ruling Jews were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. These men who said they taught God’s law and guarded his temple were also self-centered. They profited from the business in the temple. Their purpose was to rule and become wealthy. They accused Jesus of blasphemy; yet they were the one betraying the LORD God. They blasphemed his name with their hard hearts, intent on “Me” more than the people they claimed to serve.
   When we consider the great battle between God and Satan during this dark week in Jerusalem, our minds must always take time to evaluate our own relationship with Jesus and his church. Perhaps we are guilty of betraying our vows we professed as we were baptized or joined a church. Maybe we have betrayed the trust a pastor has put in us to complete a task for the church we had committed to do but neglected. Might we be too “Me” centered when we consider our offerings? Have we betrayed specific promises to a friend or family member? Can people trust you to be honest? Do you need to seek forgiveness for a betrayal? Or perhaps it’s time to forgive someone who has betrayed you.
       On that night when Jesus said, “I tell you the truth.” he reminded us he is the Truth. You can trust that the Savior, who was willing to submit to his betrayer, will never betray you.

Mark 14:3-9 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
 
JESUS’ prophecy has certainly come true. Wherever the gospel is preached, this story is told to help us remember Jesus’ love for his people and Mary’s complete, sacrificial love for Jesus.
   We know this was Mary, Lazarus’ and Martha’s sister, because the apostle John gives us a closer look at the ways Jesus’ love had impacted those at the table: John 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
   Jesus had healed Simon the Leper of leprosy. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the tomb. Lazarus’ sister Martha used her hospitality gift to prepare and serve the meal. Mary expressed her worship to the Lord when she lavished the precious nard perfume over Jesus’ body. The extravagant pouring onto Jesus surely represented Mary’s gratitude that Lazarus was alive. Perhaps we can also say the perfume demonstrated each healed person’s worshipful love for the Healer, Redeemer, Resurrection and the Life who dined with them. What other response could they give to the One who gave new life physically, emotionally and spiritually to many at the table?
   But did the others who said, “The money given to the poor.” have a valid point? Wouldn’t Jesus have been more pleased to see the poor fed, clothed and housed? Jesus’ response effectively said that they should always care for the poor. There would be time for that. But in that one moment one week before the cross, Jesus accepted the worship he deserved. For three years he had been the Father’s and the Jews’ humble servant to respond to countless needs. Before he offered his life, he allowed the faithful to offer sacrifice to him.
   What Mary did that day teaches a worshipful love for God we rarely experience. At the Lord’s feet she gave Jesus all the love that he is due. Let each of consider, “How will I tell Jesus, ‘I love you.’ today?” 

Meditations This Week on Jesus’ Passion for You
 
Mark 14:1-2 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or the people may riot.”
 
THE chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. Is there a more dreadful sentence in Scripture? To witness Israel’s great crime against God even centuries later should cause all of us to shudder over our sin. And then we should tell God, “I love you! Thank you for your great love to save me to eternal life through Jesus’ brutal death.” Stop, too, and remember such gracious words as Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
   If the teachers of the law had truly known God’s law, they would have known the Savior was teaching them. In their ignorance they attempted to trick him with their weak questions. But Jesus revealed their lies and their false motives. The experts in the law lost every debate. The more they encountered him, the weaker they looked to the crowds. It came to the point they had no reply the Living Word: Luke 20:40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions. Power and prestige defiled their hearts. Their solution was to kill him.
    “Kill” is a hard word to consider. We don’t say this much. “They crucified Jesus. They put him to death.” are certainly hard statements. But to kill someone seems to be a more personal, intentional act. Very personally and deliberately the ruling Jews plotted and planned in the dark to kill the one who threatened their unlawful lives.
   We must be very careful we’re not as those teachers. We can easily be too self-righteous, too confident of ourselves to allow Jesus to rule our hearts. We don’t like to use the word “kill” when we talk of disobeying our Lord. But Jesus can become dead to our minds if we refuse to listen to his wisdom. Our debates and excuses are foolish next to Jesus’ suffering death. We will plot to put him away, so we will remain safe in our own view of life.  
   Safety, though, is only in our Redeeming LORD God. David said it like this: Psalms 3:3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. 4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.
   Indeed, are you listening? Jesus answers your prayers and forgives your sins from the power of the “holy hill” on which he was killed. Through faith, he becomes your shield. He surrounds you all day and all night long because he is LORD of heaven and earth. He is Savior, Redeemer. He is the Great Passover Lamb, slain in shame for his glory and fame forevermore. 

Mark 6:30-32 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 
 
DO you get busy? Of course you do. Everyone has reasons to be busy. Jesus and his disciples did, too. They had been quite busy teaching and preaching God’s Word, baptizing people, healing physical diseases and cleansing people of demonic possession. They had to respond to large crowds pressing in on them. What should they do?
   Jesus tells them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” This is a loving, compelling invitation from our Lord. That’s a great idea, isn’t it? Or is it? Should Jesus and his disciples who had the ability to do so many wonderful works stop to rest? After all, there are diseases to heal and souls to save. Preaching must be done. How could Jesus tell them to stop?
   Jesus could advise the stopping because they needed to prepare for their next “going”. To effectively minister, the apostles needed physical rest and spiritual renewal. After all God created the body to rest every day. And God created the soul to seek him every day. Rest is time well spent, so you will have strength to work.
   If you respond, “I’m too busy to be quiet and rest. I’m too busy to take time for God’s Word.” then think about this: The Bible teaches, “No, you’re not. Jesus needed rest in his humanity. So do you.”
   “Jesus told the disciples to take a break. He knew their weaknesses. There is only so much a person can do physically and spiritually; then the body needs rest and the soul needs refreshment. As if it were a new discovery, sports physiologists and motivational experts now preach the wisdom of hard work, then adequate rest. People who hope to accomplish big goals need this healthy rhythm for success and stamina. Rest allows time for reflection, meditation, conversation, reading, and prayer.
   “In all your work, take a little time to dream. Walk in the woods. Stare at the stars. Count your blessings. Sing a prayer of praise where only God can hear.” (from The Life Application Commentary Series)
 
Pause and consider good rest helps you know God’s good care.
 

Mark 6:24-27 She went out and said to her mother, Herodias, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. 25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison.
 
WHEN people say, “Crime doesn’t pay.” They should add, “Crime destroys.”
   Think about Herodias. She harbored a great hatred for John the Baptist because he preached against her adulterous crime with Herod. Her evil heart wanted John silenced, so her sin would be “hidden” in the inner chambers of Herod’s court. And then consider her daughter. Herod had promised her half of his kingdom because we was so entranced with her dancing. Herodias and her daughter could have become quite wealthy. But what did they want? John’s head on a platter. All they received was a moment’s gratification of their hateful passions.
   Sin’s hold on Herodias and Herod remind us of God’s warning to Cain: Genesis 4:7a “But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Sin had mastered Herod’s court. And he, as Cain, was ultimately banished into shame.
   It’s easy to judge this completely corrupt trio. Jesus, though, warns we all may be guilty of murder: Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” The root meaning of raca is “to spit”. This is utter contempt for someone. To kill someone physically or even emotionally violates God’s law that commands, “Love God and love others as yourself.”  
   Jesus the Sermon on the Mount Jesus preached that what we think and say matters a great deal. Our words can “murder” a person’s value. A vengeful rebuke or a critical thought will perhaps satisfy your desire to hurt or even destroy someone emotionally. But then what? Will you remain satisfied? Or will a heart hungry for vengeance seek another victim?
   How different life could have been for Herod. He could have listened to John’s words he liked to hear (Mark 6:20). In response to Herodias’ murderous request, he could have said, “Enough! Free the man!” He could even had imprisoned Herodias and her daughter for their evil plot. If people objected, his absolute rule would have silenced them. But he abdicated his throne to sin. His passions possessed him as sin had possessed Cain.
   In Christ Jesus, you have the power to say, “Enough!” to sin. When you have Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit is your power to banish evil from your door. Sin cannot have you when Jesus has you.

Mark 6:21-23 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
 
HEROD is so captivated with Herodias’ daughter, who is his niece, that he is willing to give her half his kingdom. What kind of foolish, lustful man is this? Herod’s kind is a much too common kind of man. Sins of the flesh captivate the world and cause us to run after quick pleasure. Do sins of the flesh captivate you?
   Before you answer, consider this: What are sins of the flesh? Could they be your desire for the newest car, latest technology tool or extravagant clothes? Could sins of the flesh be too much time watching TV or endless useless chatter in social networks?
   Herod’s sin was obvious. Drunk with wine and temptation, he claimed he was willing to give away half his very substantial kingdom. And his lust for the flesh did not end that day because nothing will ever satisfy the desire for “more”. Sin captivated his soul until it destroyed him. History’s evidence tells us he died in absolute poverty in miserable exile.
   Now think about the things that captivate you. Are they the worldly things that will destroy you, exile you from friends and from God? Or are they things that will capture your soul to more deeply love God and love others? How does this love guard and guide your soul?
   One way is to listen to the Spirit’s commands to reject the bonds of tradition and false teaching. The apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Paul well knew deceptive philosophies and traditions kept people from God. He was a Pharisee, and he had promoted such traditions. The Pharisees had added 600 laws to God’s law. They taught the Jews that obeying all of these laws was necessary to be righteous in God’s sight. These laws became tradition that ruled over God’s laws. This clouded the Jews’ view of God just as much as Herod’s lust blinded him.
   When Paul began to minister the gospel, he saw new tradition binding and blinding the church. False teachers created empty works-based philosophies in an attempt to form salvation in their own image. “Tradition worship” was Satan’s method to blind the Jews to God’s promises of life in his gracious love. The same has happened in the church. We have allowed human-formed traditions to capture our hearts. The result is we can find it difficult to trust God’s rich, lavish grace he promises to all who call on Jesus as Lord and Savior.
   The account of John’s battle with Herod is the story of God’s war with Satan. We find it easy to condemn Herod. But we must be careful to discern if anything we desire lessens or even blocks our relationship with God.        

Mark 6:19-20 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
 
IN this classic battle of evil against good, evil is working very hard to remove the good. Herodias, Herod’s unlawful wife, is intent to kill John the Baptist. Telling the truth is John’s crime. John had condemned her adultery with her brother-in-law, Herod Antipas. Everything the Evil One does in this world is to kill God’s people. That’s why we need the Lord of Life to defend us.  
   Herod Antipas was a ruler over Galilee and the area of the Decapolis. Remember this is the same Herod to whom Pilate sent Jesus. History tells us Herod had great power to create beautiful gardens. He built cities and transformed ordinary villages into extraordinary visual splendor. He moved men and earth, but he couldn’t move his heart to the right, even though he knew John to be a righteous and holy man. 
   We know, too, Herod thought about what John told him. He was greatly puzzled at John’s words. And it seems something good was happening in Herod’s mind because he liked to listen to him. Why, then, did Herod keep his corrupt life?  
   Perhaps we can see Herod as we would cultural “Christians” today. These are the people who like to go to a church or a Christian rally because they want to hear the preacher. His words are good, and they discern he speaks the truth. They believe he is a righteous man of God.
   But gospel truth does not reach these listeners’ hearts. They find God’s words fascinating and interesting, even inspiring. But they also are afraid of the truth. To listen to, submit to and live in  the truth will change their lives. Instead of keeping God’s Word in their hearts, they keep their desires above all things. Even if they like to hear God’s Word spoken, they like their own way of life much more.
   Herod and Herodias should have been honored God’s prophet had come to teach them the way to life. But they objected because God’s way began with casting away their fleshly desires. They couldn’t take that first step because they wanted to keep the pleasures they enjoyed. Their minds did not grasp their self-centered lives would lead to their destruction in this life. (See next lesson.) And worse, it led to their eternal destruction.
   Regardless of how good life is for you now, there’s nothing worth keeping if it keeps you from God’s salvation.         

Mark 6:16-18 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 
 
TELLING, preaching and teaching the truth is a very difficult and heavy burden. John, the Herald of the Christ, is dead because he told the truth to Herod. Herod’s sin mocked God’s law, and it seems sin won that battle.
   When you read Israel’s history does it appear the devil has won too many battles against God’s prophets? Jesus accused the Jews’ tragic history: Matthew 23:29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.” And then they killed Jesus. They couldn’t submit to his truth.
    Evil seems to winning the race for mankind’s soul. Do you wonder, “Why would God permit sinners to kill salvation messengers?” This causes us to hesitate to be Jesus’ messenger, doesn’t it? We know people will want to “kill” us with their mockery, ostracism, indifference and hatred. Some of you may know physical threats because you tell the gospel’s truth. John was doing God’s will. Why did John, and why do so many other faithful witnesses have to die?
   It’s good to know that many “Why God?” questions points to this answer: God does everything for your good and for his glory.
    No, John didn’t end up “good” from our perspective, but he ended up “good” in Jesus’ view. Matthew 11:11a “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist…14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”
   With high praise and complete affirmation, Jesus testified that John fulfilled God’s plan for his life and for God’s kingdom. That means John was a vital point in your salvation! John told the truth, and today he’s in heaven’s glory. John is certainly “good” in the Lord.
   In contrast, Herod isn’t “good”. He won the battle, but he has lost the war for his soul. Tragically, Herod is in hell. It is to God’s glory that sin is eternally punished and the salvation messenger is eternally saved.
   Do you need help to be a gospel prophet? Then remember this: the truth is God’s gift for your eternal life. God’s will is that you offer the gift to others. When many reject the gift, you may think you’re losing the war. But you’re not. God has given you a kingdom purpose. You will aid in winning the war. Know you will be good in God’s goodness forever.     

Mark 6:12-14 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. 14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 
 
THE disciples followed Jesus’ evangelism principles (See prior lesson.) They preached repentance. Remove sin from your heart and receive the Spirit’s anointed healing. The apostles could suddenly do the magnificent work Jesus was doing.
   Then what happened? From Galilee’s farms to King Herod’s throne, Jesus’ name was glorified – it was lifted up among all people. But they still did not know who he is.
   They had their mind on John the Baptist. They thought Jesus could be John returned to life. Herod had killed John. (See next lesson.) During his ministry John repeatedly insisted, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” (John 1:15b) Many wondered if Jesus wee Elijah or another resurrected prophet. Did anyone consider he is God’s Son? We can be very blind to God even when he walks into our home.
   King Herod is not Herod the Great, who reigned in Jerusalem at Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2). The Herod in Galilee is Herod Antipas. He was not truly a king but a tetrarch because he ruled a fourth of Israel. Rome allowed their provinces to have their own “kings”. This Herod is the one who killed John the Baptist, and he is the one to whom Pilate sent Jesus for trial. (Luke 23:7)
   We make this point to note Jesus is doing more than saving lives. He was re-igniting a collision between the kingdoms of this world with the kingdom of God.
   This is God’s universal battle with sin. Genesis informs us many nations rose to oppose God in the first centuries. Israel in the Promised Land was to be God’s kingdom standing against worldly kingdoms. But Israel allowed earthly kings to overcome the King’s rule. Judges is an account of the devastating hold pagan kingdoms and godless men had on Israel.
   When Jesus becomes well-known in a community or a country, leaders have two options: reject Jesus or embrace him. In all the good God was doing, wasn’t it easy, even joyful for Israel to embrace him, to know who he is? Certainly they would want to replace, “I wonder who he is.” with “I know he is the Son of God come to save us.” But they did not. Even though he told and showed him, they still refused to understand.
     Are you taking time in some way each day to know Jesus more? May Jesus be truly known in your heart, your home, your church and your community.