11.2 The Last Supper
The New Covenant: Jesus’ Sacrifice and the Promise of Salvation

Read Mark 14:22-31 and Exodus 24:8. What major significance for the Christian faith is found in this account?

The passage from Mark 14:22–31 and Exodus 24:8 reveals central aspects of the Christian faith and has profound significance for understanding the Lord’s Supper.

The Last Supper takes place on the first day of Unleavened Bread, at the time when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. This is more than just a traditional meal; it marks the introduction of a new memorial service by Jesus. On this evening, a transition occurs from the Jewish Passover to the institution of the New Covenant. The New Covenant is not sealed with the blood of a Passover lamb but with the blood of Jesus Himself. This directly relates to the sealing of the Old Covenant in Exodus 24:8, where Moses sprinkles the people with the blood of sacrifices and declares: “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you.”

Jesus uses this evening to convey a profound meaning: He Himself is the “Lamb of God” (cf. John 1:29), whose blood seals the New Covenant. The bread He breaks symbolizes His body, and the cup represents His blood, shed for many (Mark 14:24). This signifies a fundamental change in the relationship between God and humanity. The New Covenant fulfills the promises of the Old Testament and is established through Jesus’ sacrifice.

Amidst this solemn moment, Jesus announces that all His disciples will abandon Him. He quotes Zechariah 13:7, which speaks of the striking of the shepherd and the scattering of the sheep. This grim prediction reflects human weakness and the failure that Jesus will experience. Despite this dark prophecy, Jesus adds a message of hope: the prediction of His resurrection and the promise that He will meet His disciples in Galilee. This underscores the importance of the resurrection as a sign of new life and hope.

The prediction that Peter will deny Him three times before the rooster crows twice is another central point. This announcement highlights human frailty and the challenge of faith in times of trial. It plays a key role in the Passion narrative and Peter’s denial, showing the depth of divine providence and human weakness.

Overall, the Last Supper reveals a fundamental transformation in the relationship between God and humanity through Jesus’ sacrifice. It stands at the heart of Christian faith by replacing the old sacrifices and establishing the New Covenant through the blood of Christ. At the same time, it is a moment of reverence and hope, reminding us of the profound significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Have you ever promised God to do or not do something, and then failed to keep that promise? What can you learn from this?

Yes, this is an experience many believers have had when they promise God something but fail to keep it. In moments of devotion or repentance, there is often a strong desire to change or commit to God, but over time, it becomes difficult to remain faithful to these resolutions.

From such situations, we can learn valuable lessons:

1. Human Weakness: These experiences show us how limited our human strength is. Even the best intentions can fail due to temptations, fatigue, or neglect. It reminds us that we are dependent on God’s grace and strength in all things to do what is right.

2. Humility: Failing to keep promises teaches us humility. It shows that we are flawed people who need forgiveness and patience—both from God and from ourselves.

3. Grace and Forgiveness: Such moments emphasize the importance of God’s grace. Even when we fail, God forgives us if we sincerely repent. This helps us not to give up but to keep trying, trusting in God’s support.

4. Dependence on God: When we fail, we learn that we cannot rely on our own strength alone. We must ask God for guidance and support to grow in our spiritual life.

5. Patience with Ourselves: Repeating mistakes can be frustrating, but it also gives us the opportunity to practice patience with ourselves and recognize the constant need for growth and maturity.

Through these experiences, we learn that our faith and relationship with God is a journey, not a one-time success. It’s about returning again and again, continuing to learn, and allowing ourselves to be shaped by God’s hands.

The connection between the Last Supper and our daily lives and faith lies in the deep symbolism of Jesus’ sacrifice and the introduction of the New Covenant, calling us to self-reflection and a realignment in our faith.

1. The New Covenant and Our Daily Relationship with God: The Last Supper marks the beginning of a new covenant centered on Jesus’ sacrifice. In everyday life, this reminds us that our relationship with God is not based on our own achievements but on His grace and the sacrifice of Christ. It calls us to live our lives in gratitude and dedication, knowing that our salvation is secured through Jesus.

2. Human Weakness and the Failure of the Disciples: In Mark 14:22–31, we see how Jesus predicts that His disciples will abandon Him. This reflects our own human weakness when, despite our best intentions, we often fail to obey God or keep our promises. In daily life, this understanding can help us be patient with ourselves and trust in God’s grace instead of condemning ourselves for our mistakes.

3. Hope Through Jesus’ Resurrection: Despite the grim prediction that His disciples will abandon Him, Jesus gives them the hope of His resurrection. For us in daily life, this means that even in moments of failure, despair, or suffering, the hope of renewal and forgiveness through Jesus is always present. The resurrection reminds us that God always offers us the chance to begin anew.

4. The Significance of the Lord’s Supper in the Life of Faith: The Lord’s Supper is not just a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice, but also a constant invitation to renew our connection with Him. When we take the bread and cup, we affirm our trust in the New Covenant and our dependence on God’s grace. This regular practice can help us focus on the essentials of faith: love, dedication, and communion with God.

5. Forgiveness and Restoration: The prediction of Peter’s denial shows that even those closest to Jesus can fail. Yet, after his failure, Peter experiences forgiveness and later becomes a significant leader in the early church. This teaches us that we, too, can be restored after failure and that God can do great things through us when we return to Him.

In summary, the Last Supper connects our daily spiritual journey with the constant reminder of God’s grace, forgiveness, and the hope we have through Jesus Christ. Our faith life, like that of the disciples, is a journey full of highs and lows, but it is always supported by the promise of redemption and the love of God.

Every day is a new opportunity to experience God’s grace and grow in His love.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-11-taken-and-tried-11-2-the-last-supper-the-book-of-mark-living-faith/

September 9, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Mark Chapter 13

¹ And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

² And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

³ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

⁴ Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

⁵ And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

⁶ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

⁷ And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

⁸ For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

⁹ But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

¹⁰ And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

¹¹ But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

¹² Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

¹³ And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

¹⁴ But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

¹⁵ And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

¹⁶ And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

¹⁷ But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

¹⁸ And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

¹⁹ For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

²⁰ And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

²¹ And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

²² For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

²³ But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

²⁴ But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

²⁵ And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

²⁶ And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

²⁷ And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

²⁸ Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

²⁹ So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

³⁰ Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

³¹ Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

³² But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

³³ Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

³⁴ For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

³⁵ Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

³⁶ Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

³⁷ And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Introduction

Mark chapter 13 is a significant prophetic discourse by Jesus, commonly referred to as the “Olivet Discourse” or the “Apocalyptic Discourse.” In this chapter, Jesus speaks about the coming destruction of the temple, the signs of the times, the impending suffering of believers, and his final return. These words were directed at his disciples to prepare them for difficult times and to emphasize the urgency of vigilance and readiness. The text contains elements of warning, comfort, and encouragement for believers who must endure the trials of life.

Commentary

Jesus begins this discourse with a powerful prediction: the magnificent temple, the pride of the Jewish nation, would be destroyed, with not one stone left upon another (verses 1-2). This statement shocks the disciples and prompts them to ask “when” and “how.” Their curiosity is understandable, as the temple was the center of their religious world. However, Jesus shifts their focus from the physical destruction to the spiritual challenges that are to come.

He speaks of false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, and persecutions (verses 5-13), which the disciples should expect. These events, however, are merely the “beginning of the birth pains,” not the end itself. A key point here is that the Gospel must first be preached to all nations before the end will come (verse 10). Followers of Christ will face persecution and betrayal, but they are called to endure in faith, as the Holy Spirit will guide them through these trials (verse 11).

The “abomination of desolation” (verse 14) is a direct reference to the book of Daniel and points to a time of great tribulation that will force people to flee. Jesus describes this period as an unprecedented time of suffering, which will be shortened for the sake of the elect (verse 20). Here, it becomes clear that during the end times, false prophets and false messiahs will arise, attempting to deceive even the elect.

At the climax of this discourse, Jesus announces his own return (verse 26). The coming of the Son of Man will be with great power and glory, and he will gather his elect from the ends of the earth (verses 26-27). This section offers believers hope, that despite all the trials and hardships they must endure, the return of Christ will ultimately be the final resolution.

Finally, Jesus calls for vigilance (verses 33-37). No one knows the exact time of his return, so believers must always be ready. This call to constant watchfulness, illustrated by the parable of the fig tree and the house owner, emphasizes the urgency of being prepared at every moment.

Summary

Mark chapter 13 presents Jesus’ end-time discourse, where he prepares his disciples for coming persecutions, deceptions, and disasters. He predicts the fall of the temple and stresses the importance of being watchful in the face of false prophets and false Christs. At the same time, he gives believers hope with the promise of his glorious return. Jesus emphasizes the urgency of remaining vigilant, as the exact time of his return is unknown. This discourse challenges believers to remain steadfast in their faith amidst persecution and suffering, while preparing for the ultimate salvation and the return of Christ.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/9-09-2024-mark-chapter-13-believe-his-prophets/