18 February • First Sunday in Lent
Mark 14:1-26
1 It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, 2 for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”
3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.
12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Meditation
In a passage such as Mark 14:1-26, it is natural for the audience to focus their attention on the woman, her costly gift, and the seemingly foolish action of “wasting” it on Jesus. Today, she is often lauded as a great example of extravagance in worship. Her beautiful act is in sharp
contrast to the act of betrayal by Judas in the same passage—instead of giving, Judas sought personal gain. Shocking and heart-rending as their actions were, let’s shift our attention to someone else instead.
In the mind of Christ, this Passover meal was not going to be the same. This last supper would perhaps remain in the memories of His 12 disciples for a long time. For all the sufferings and persecution, they were to experience, the memory of what He would say at this table would strengthen their resolve to endure and hold on to their faith.
That meal took place in an atmosphere—where the threat of an impending betrayal lurks among them and the possibility of losing their Master sorrow them. The triumphalism of following the One who heals and casts out demons seems to be fading away.
Then Jesus lifted His disciples’ eyes to kingdom realities—one where He will drink the cup “new in the kingdom of God.” It will be a different cup from the one where He had prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Mt 26:39).
While this might be His last earthly Passover meal, Jesus assured them that fellowship with Him will be renewed in the Kingdom of God. The Redeemer will once again be at the table with the redeemed. Casting the vision of the messianic banquet heralding final salvation, and ultimate victory, His absence will mean His presence with them for eternity.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I commit my anxieties, fear, sorrow, threats, and challenges to You. Lift my eyes to capture the kingdom reality that You are coming again in ultimate victory. May earthly conclusions not terminate my hope in You. Keep my eyes focused on You, my heart steadfast in You, and my faith rooted in You.
Action
Encourage someone who is facing challenges or battling anxieties, fears or threats—by sharing about Jesus’ coming again and His victory over sin, death, and Satan.
Pray for the person to have unwavering hope in Jesus.
Rev Dominic Yeo
General Superintendent
Assemblies of God of Singapore
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