Day Three Mark 14:12-26
12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go to prepare the Passover meal for you?”
13 So Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: “As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 15 He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 16 So the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.
17 In the evening Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 As they were at the table eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.”
19 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one?”
20 He replied, “It is one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”
22 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”
23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. 25 I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”
26 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. – Mark 14:12-26 (NLT)
Discover
1. Read Exodus 12 for a reminder of why the Passover Feast (verse 12) is so significant to Israel.
2. How does Jesus display divine knowledge in this passage (verses 13-15, 18-21)?
3. What does Jesus say the bread and wine now represent?
Respond
A traditional Jewish Passover meal is full of symbolism. But, as Jesus serves His disciples at this last supper, He gives the bread and wine new meaning. Jesus is ushering in a new covenant between God and humanity where His broken body and shed blood will become the once-for-all sacrifice for sin. Despite knowing the agony that lies ahead, Jesus chooses to sing (verse 26). He turns His gaze toward His holy Father and He worships. Today, when you find yourself tempted to focus on the stress or problems this day will bring, follow the example of Jesus and worship.
For Further Reading: The Hymn Jesus and the Disciples Likely Sang