Mark Lesson #20

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RETURN TO SYLLABUS
MARK 14:1-11
LESSON #20
EXTRAVAGANT LOVE OR DESTRUCTIVE BETRAYAL

• MEMORY VERSE: MARK 14:8

• READ MAR 14:1-2 REVIEW AND BACKGROUND:
• REMEMBER THAT THE CELEBRATION OF THE PASSOVER WAS A “FEAST” COMMANDED BY GOD TO COMMEMORATE THE RELEASE OF THE JEWS FROM BONDAGE IN EGYPT.
• THERE ARE A SERIES OF SPECIAL “FEAST” DAYS THAT SURROUND THE CELEBRATION OF THE PASSOVER TO COMMEMORATE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THAT EVENT.
• THE HEBREW WORD FOR, FEAST, IS “mowar” WHICH MEANS = TO KEEP AN APPOINTMENT. THESE FEASTS ARE GOD’S APPOINTMENT WITH MAN.
• READ LEV 23:4-6
• THIS PASSOVER FEAST WAS TO BE CELEBRATED ON THE 14^TH DAY OF THE JEWISH MONTH OF NISAN (APRIL).
• IN THE BOOK OF EXODUS THE 14^TH DAY FELL ON A THURSDAY.
• IN THE GOSPELS, THE 14^TH DAY FELL ON A THURSDAY.

• THE PARALLELS OF THE PASSOVER PREPARATION:

THE PASSOVER CELEBRATION	JESUS FULFILLMENT OF THE PASSOVER CELEBRATION
THE PASSOVER LAMB WAS BROUGHT FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES THROUGH THE EASTERN GATE INTO THE TEMPLE BY THE HIGH PRIEST (SUNDAY)	JESUS RODE A DONKEY FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES THROUGH THE EASTERN GATE INTO THE TEMPLE (PALM SUNDAY)
THE PASSOVER LAMB WAS TIED IN THE COURTYARD OF THE TEMPLE FOR EXAMINATION OF PERFECTION BY THE PRIESTS (SUNDAY TO WEDNESDAY)	JESUS COMES TO THE TEMPLE FOR 4 DAYS BEING QUESTIONED AND EXAMINED BY THE PRIESTS (SUNDAY TO WEDNESDAY)

• THE PARALLELS OF THE PASSOVER ON THE 14^TH DAY OF NISAN (THURSDAY)

THE ACTIONS ON THE 14TH DAY OF NISAN	JESUS FULFILLMENT OF THESE ACTIONS
AT 9AM ON THE 14TH OF NISAN (THURSDAY), THE HIGH PRIEST BOUND THE PASSOVER LAMB ON THE ALTAR (PSA 118:27)	AT 9 AM ON THE 14TH OF NISAN (THURSDAY) JESUS WAS NAILED TO THE CROSS.
AT 3PM ON THE 14TH OF NISAN (THURSDAY), THE HIGH PRIEST KILLED THE PASSOVER LAMB AND SAID, “IT IS FINISHED.”	AT 3 PM ON THE 14TH OF NISAN (THURSDAY) JESUS, OUR HIGH PRIEST, SAID, “IT IS FINISHED”, AND GAVE UP HIS LIFE.

• THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD ON THE 15^TH DAY OF NISAN (FRIDAY)
• THIS FEAST WAS A WEEK LONG CELEBRATION TO COMMEMORATE THE JEWS LEAVING EGYPT AND EATING UNLEAVENED BREAD THEIR LAST NIGHT IN EGYPT AND TAKING UNLEAVENED BREAD ON THEIR JOURNEY.
• THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD AND THE FEAST OF PASSOVER BLENDED INTO EACH OTHER AS ONE LONG CELEBRATION.

• THE PARALLELS OF THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD ON THE 15^TH DAY OF NISAN (FRIDAY)

ACTIONS ON THE 15TH DAY OF NISAN IN THE BOOK OF EXODUS	JESUS FULFILLMENT OF THESE ACTIONS
A MEAL CONSISTING OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (A PIERCED CRACKER MADE BY AN INSTRUMENT THAT MAKES “STRIPES” OF HOLES) WAS EATEN ON THE 15TH DAY OF NISAN BEFORE THE ISRAELITES VISITED THE TOMB OF JOSEPH TO REMOVE HIS BONES (EXO 13:19) (REMEMBER THAT LEAVEN IS A SYMBOL FOR SIN. THEREFORE, UNLEAVENED = SINLESS)	JESUS’ PIERCED BODY LAY IN THE TOMB (1PET 2:24) SAYS THAT WITH HIS “STRIPES” WE ARE HEALED. SIN WAS JUDGED ON THE CROSS AND JESUS WAS WITHOUT SIN.

• ON THE 12^TH OF NISAN (TUESDAY), THE PRIESTS PLOT TO KILL JESUS. THEY DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE PASSOVER AND THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF AN UPRISING.
• JESUS HAD BEEN IN THE TEMPLE ON THIS DAY, BUT THEY DID NOT ARREST HIM FOR FEAR OF A RIOT.
• THE JEWS WERE KNOWN TO RIOT DURING FEAST DAYS ANYWAY, WHICH CAUSED THE ROMANS TO BE ESPECIALLY WATCHFUL.
• THERE WAS A ROMAN FORTRESS RIGHT NEXT TO THE TEMPLE AREA AND ROMAN SOLDIERS WERE PATROLLING THE ROOFTOPS OF THE TEMPLE BUILDINGS DURING HOLIDAYS.
• WHILE THE PRIESTS DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE FEAST DAYS, GOD HAD HIS OWN TIMETABLE IN MIND. IT WAS NECESSARY THAT JESUS DIE ON PASSOVER TO FULFILL THE PROPHETIC FEAST DAYS.
• WHY DID THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND SCRIBES WANT TO KILL JESUS?
• THEY OPPOSED HIS TEACHING.
• OUT OF JEALOUSY, THEY WERE CONCERNED WITH HIS POPULARITY AMONG THE PEOPLE.
• HE UNDERMINED THEIR AUTHORITY AND POWER OVER THE TEMPLE AND THE PEOPLE.
• HE WAS CAUSING A DIVISION AMONG THE JEWS THAT THREATENED TO BREAK OUT INTO A REVOLT THAT WOULD INVOLVE ROMAN REPRISALS.

• READ MAR 14:3-9 THE ANOINTING FOR BURIAL
• READ JOH 12:1-8 JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES ARE IN BETHANY FOR THE NIGHT.
• THE THREE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS VARY IN DETAIL:
• IT IS INTERESTING THAT THE GOSPEL OF JOHN PLACES THIS EVENT 6 DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER WHICH IS PROBABLY ACCURATE. (JOH 12:1)
• MATTHEW AND MARK SEEMS TO PLACE IT CLOSER TO THE CRUCIFIXION (ABOUT TUESDAY).
• REMEMBER THAT MARK IS NOT CONCERNED WITH ACCURATE CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS BUT WITH CONTRASTING POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EVENTS SIDE BY SIDE.
• THIS EVENT OF THE ANOINTING OF JESUS FOR BURIAL RELATES TO THE CRUCIFIXION, SO MARK PLACES IT CLOSER TO THE CRUCIFIXION.
• THIS EVENT OF THE ANOINTING OF JESUS CONTRASTS WITH JUDAS DEED OF BETRAYAL.
• WHO IS THIS WOMAN WITH THE ALABASTER BOX?
• SHE IS MARY, THE SISTER OF MARTHA AND LAZARUS. (JOH 12:3)
• LAZARUS’ FAMILY WAS A WEALTHY FAMILY IN BETHANY. THEY COULD WELL AFFORD THE EXPENSIVE PERFUME.
• JOHN TELLS US THAT MARY ANOINTED JESUS’ FEET WHILE MATTHEW SAYS SHE ANOINTED HIS HEAD. BOTH WERE PRACTICED AND SHE PROBABLY DID BOTH.
• THE EXPENSIVE PERFUME:
• JEWISH WOMEN WERE FOND OF PERFUME AND OFTEN CARRIED A SMALL ALABASTER VIAL AROUND THEIR NECKS.
• THE VALUE OF MARY’S PERFUME WAS ABOUT 100 DENARI (JOH 12:5) WHICH IS ABOUT THE VALUE OF A YEAR’S WAGE FOR A WORKING MAN.
• OF WHAT SIGNIFICANCE WAS THE ANOINTING?
• WHEN A JEWISH PERSON DIED, IT WAS CUSTOMARY TO ANOINT THE BODY WITH EXPENSIVE PERFUMES AND SPICES BEFORE THE BURIAL TO MASK THE SMELL OF DEATH.
• HOWEVER, THE TIMING OF THE CRUCIFIXION AND THEN THE SPECIAL PASSOVER SABBATH DID NOT PERMIT TIME ENOUGH TO ACCOMPLISH THE ANOINTING BEFORE JESUS WAS BURIED. THAT IS WHY THE WOMEN CAME TO THE TOMB AFTER THE MORNING OF THE WEEKLY SABBATH (MAR 16:2) TO ANOINT HIM, BUT HE HAD ALREADY RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD.
• THEREFORE, THIS EVENT BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION WAS THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY AND JESUS KNEW IT. (MAT 26;12)
• BUT WHAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT SHE ALSO UNDERSTOOD IT. SHE HAD HEARD HIM PREDICT HIS COMING DEATH, SO SHE UNDERSTOOD WHAT SHE DID WAS FOR HIS BURIAL.
• THIS SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION WAS GIVEN TO HER BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. NOT EVEN THE DISCIPLES PERCEIVED WHAT SHE WAS DOING.
• THIS ANOINTING DEMONSTRATES THE URGENCY OF THE OPPORTUNITY
• WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS AN OPPORTUNITY, WE MUST BE READY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT IN THE SAME WAY MARY DID. WE MAY NEVER GET ANOTHER CHANCE.
• THIS WAS AN ELABORATE DEMONSTRATION OF LOVE FOR CHRIST.
• LOVE NEVER CALCULATES THE COST BEFORE GIVING.
• LOVE NEVER THINKS HOW LITTLE TO GIVE SO AS TO APPEAR WORTHWHILE.
• LOVE’S HIGHEST DESIRE IS TO GIVE THE VERY BEST.
• WHEN LOVE HAS GIVEN EVERYTHING, IT STILL THINKS ITS GIFT IS TOO LITTLE.
• THE FRAGRANCE OF A DEED MAY LAST FOREVER. (MAT 26:13)
• THE CRITICISM OF THE ANOINTING:
• NO MATTER HOW SPIRIT-DIRECTED THE DEED MAY BE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH LOVE WENT INTO THE DEED, NO MATTER HOW MUCH IT COST TO DO IT, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOME WHO MISUNDERSTAND, CRITICIZE, AND COMPLAIN ABOUT IT.
• JOHN TELLS US THAT IT WAS JUDAS WHO OBJECTED TO THE ANOINTING AND CAUSED THE OTHERS TO COMPLAIN. (JOH 12:4-5)
• WHY DID JUDAS OBJECT?
• WOULD JUDAS HAVE GIVEN THE MONEY TO THE POOR HAD MARY GIVEN MONEY INSTEAD OF ANOINTING JESUS WITH THE EXPENSIVE PERFUME? PROBABLY NOT.
• GOD’S CONCERN FOR THE POOR:
• FROM THIS PASSAGE, IT SEEMS THAT JESUS DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE POOR.
• OF COURSE, JESUS KNEW THAT JUDAS’ SUGGESTION THAT THE MONEY GO TO THE POOR WAS NOT A LEGITIMATE SUGGESTION ON HIS PART.
• WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO CARE FOR THE POOR WHEN AND HOW WE ARE ABLE, BUT CARING FOR THE POOR MUST NEVER OVERSHADOW OUR LOVE FOR CHRIST.
• THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL TO ALL IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FEEDING THE POOR. WHY?
• THE POOR WILL BE HUNGRY AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, BUT SALVATION IS FOR ETERNITY.
• THE WORLD WILL ALWAYS HAVE POOR PEOPLE IN IT UNTIL JESUS COMES AT THE SECOND COMING TO ESTABLISH HIS MILLENNIAL KINGDOM ON RIGHTEOUSNESS, ADEQUATE PROVISION, AND ABUNDANT BLESSINGS FOR ALL.

• READ MAR 14:10-11 JUDAS’ PLAN
• WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT JUDAS AND WHAT DO WE NOT KNOW?
• THE NAME, JUDAS, WAS VERY COMMON AT THAT TIME. IN FACT, ONE OF JESUS’ HALF-BROTHERS WAS NAMED JUDAS. TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE TWO, THIS HALF-BROTHER WAS CALLED JUDE, AND THE NAME, ISCARIOT, WAS ALWAYS USED WITH JUDAS, THE BETRAYER.
• ISCARIOT IS A GREEK WORD MEANING = A MAN FROM KERIOTH. IT WAS NOT A LAST NAME.
• KERIOTH WAS A SMALL TOWN IN THE SOUTH NEAR JERUSALEM.
• ALL THE OTHER DISCIPLES WERE FROM GALILEE, MAKING JUDAS AN OUTCAST IN THE GROUP.
• WE DO NOT KNOW HOW, WHEN, OR WHERE JUDAS ISCARIOT FIRST HEARD ABOUT JESUS.
• JUDAS IS ALWAYS MENTIONED LAST IN THE LIST OF THE DISCIPLES.
• JUDAS’ POLITICS AND POSITION:
• JUDAS EVIDENTLY HAD PATRIOTIC AND POLITICAL IDEAS AND AMBITIONS ABOUT THE MESSIAH AND THE COMING KINGDOM.
• IT IS POSSIBLE HE JOINED JESUS BECAUSE OF HIS EXPECTATIONS OF A POLITICAL KINGDOM IN WHICH HE WOULD HAVE A HIGH POSITION.
• JUDAS HAD A TALENT FOR BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, BARGAINING, AND FINANCES. JESUS GAVE THE PURSE STRINGS FOR THE GROUP TO JUDAS. HOWEVER, JUDAS STOLE MONEY FROM THE GROUP’S MONEY. (JOH 12:6) THE REST OF THE DISCIPLES DID NOT KNOW JUDAS WAS A THIEF BUT JESUS DID.
• JUDAS WAS INDWELT BY SATAN DURING THE LAST SUPPER (JOH 13:27). JESUS CALLED HIM, “SON OF PERDITION”.
• THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JUDAS AND JESUS:
• THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS THAT CANNOT BE ANSWERED FOR SURE:
• WHY DID JESUS PICK JUDAS TO BE A DISCIPLE IF HE KNEW HE WOULD BETRAY HIM?
• HOW MUCH OF A CHOICE DID JUDAS HAVE WHEN ALL THE PROPHECIES SPOKE THE DETAILS OF A BETRAYAL BY SOMEONE CLOSE TO THE MESSIAH?
• WAS JUDAS EVER TRULY SAVED?
• THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS HAVE LONG BEEN DEBATED AND BOUND UP IN THE DOCTRINES OF FREE WILL, PREDESTINATION, FOREKNOWLEDGE, AND THE DOCTRINE OF THE ORIGIN OF EVIL.
• THE PLAN FOR BETRAYAL:
• JUDAS WAS A VERY ASTUTE, VISIONARY PERSON. HE HAD HEARD JESUS PREDICT HIS DEATH SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK. HE WATCHED HIS DREAMS OF A NEW POLITICAL KINGDOM FADE AWAY.
• PERHAPS HE FELT BETRAYED OR DISILLUSIONED.
• PERHAPS HE FELT HE COULD FORCE JESUS’ HAND.
• IF HE PLOTTED TO HAVE JESUS ARRESTED, MAYBE JESUS WOULD RALLY AND FIGHT THE AUTHORITIES AND ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM.
• THE CHIEF PRIESTS COULD NOT PASS UP A CHANCE TO KILL JESUS WHEN JUDAS CAME TO THEM.
• THE PRIESTS SET ASIDE THEIR PLAN TO WAIT FOR THE END OF THE FEAST DAYS.
• THE 30 PIECES OF SILVER:
• SILVER IS A SCRIPTURAL SYMBOL FOR REDEMPTION.
• 30 PIECES OF SILVER WAS A SMALL SUM, THE PRICE OF A SLAVE, OR ABOUT A MONTH’S WAGE.
• THE 30 PIECES OF SILVER FULFILLS THE PROPHECY IN ZEC 11:12.
• JUDAS RETURNED THE MONEY TO THE TEMPLE LEADERS WHEN HE REALIZED WHAT HE HAD DONE.

• APPLICATION:
• IN THIS SECTION OF MARK’S GOSPEL WE SEE THE CONTRAST BETWEEN EXTRAVAGANT LOVE BY MARY AND DESTRUCTIVE BETRAYAL BY JUDAS.
• THE TRUSTED RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND JUDAS, A TRUSTED DISCIPLE, CONSPIRE TO KILL JESUS.
• BUT MARY, A WOMAN, WHO WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IMPORTANT OR KNOW ANYTHING HAS THE GREATER SPIRITUAL INSIGHT.
• IN THIS LAST WEEK OF JESUS’ EARTHLY LIFE, WOMEN PLAY A VERY SPECIAL ROLE AND A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE THAT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY MANY MEN.
• AS HUMAN BEINGS, WE ALL FALL SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN THESE TWO EXTREMES OF EXTRAVAGANT LOVE AND DESTRUCTIVE BETRAYAL AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.
• AT TIMES WE LOVE HIM SO MUCH WE PROMISE TO GIVE HIM EVERYTHING NO MATTER WHAT THE COST.
• AT OTHER TIMES WE BETRAY HIM WHEN THINGS DON’T GO THE WAY WE WANT, OR WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE THE EXPEDIENT THING TO DO.

HOMEWORK

MARK 14:12-42

• APPLICATION OF MAR 14:1-11
• WRITE DOWN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE TWO EXTREMES OF EXTRAVAGANT LOVE AND DESTRUCTIVE BETRAYAL IN YOUR OWN LIFE.

• GOD FORGIVES YOU OF THE TIMES OF DESTRUCTIVE BETRAYAL IN YOUR LIFE IF YOU HAVE REPENTED OF THEM.

• HOW CAN YOU MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT ATTITUDE OF EXTRAVAGANT LOVE TOWARD CHRIST IN YOUR LIFE?

• PREPARATION FOR MAR 14:12-42
• READ MAR 14:12-42
• WHAT WAS THE CUP THAT JESUS ASKED THE FATHER TO TAKE FROM HIM?

• WHAT DID JESUS ACCOMPLISH IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE?

• OF WHAT SIGNIFICANCE WAS THE LAST SUPPER?

• MEMORY VERSE: MAR 14:24