Betrayal and Abandonment Expository teachings from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 14

It's two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and scribes are making plans to trap Jesus by deceit and kill him. During dinner in the suburbs, a woman anoints Jesus's head with very expensive ointment. Meanwhile, Judas sneaks off and agrees to betray Jesus to the chief priests, who promise him money. The first day of the holiday arrives, and the disciples ask Jesus where he prefers to celebrate. During the meal, Jesus foretells that one of the twelve who are eating with him will betray him.

They sing some songs together and proceed to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus delivers more bad news to the disciples: they will all scatter like sheep whose shepherd is killed (he's quoting Zechariah 13:7). Peter insists that he sure isn't going to do that. They all come to Gethsemane, where Jesus instructs his disciples to pray. Judas arrives on the scene with an armed group sent by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. Everyone abandons Jesus, as he had predicted (recall 14:27).

Peter does follow, but from a distance, and warms himself by a fire in the chief priest's courtyard. So much for dying with Jesus (glance back at 14:31). Jesus is silent, and the chief priest asks point blank, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" (14:61). They condemn Jesus to death. Meanwhile, a servant of the chief priest recognizes that Peter, who is still warming himself by the fire, is a companion of Jesus. Peter realizes Jesus's prophecy in 14:30 has come true. Peter weeps violently.

In this long passage we see 2 kinds of people with Jesus.  People who Impressed Jesus

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of 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[a] 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,[b] 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 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Where was Jesus?  Matthew -- in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper  Mark -- agrees with Matthew  Luke -- a Pharisee's house, but no location is given; the Pharisee's name is given later as Simon  John -- with Mary and Martha and Lazarus, in Bethany

Who was the woman?  Matthew -- no specifics are given  Mark -- also no specifics  Luke -- "woman in the city, which was a sinner"  John -- Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus

Why was Jesus impressed with this woman when everyone else felt otherwise?  She gave her all.  She gave to the “Poorest of the Poor”.  She was the only one who anointed Jesus as King.  She prophetically anointed Him before his death.  Her offering was similar to the widow’s offering.

When our eyes are on Jesus then there is a Lavishness that flows out of our hearts towards Him. We become … Lavish in our Giving (we exercise radical generosity) Lavish in our Worship (we demolish all other idols) Lavish in Faith (our lives are solely dependent on Him)

 People who disappointed Jesus

o His Own 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1: o The Sanhedrin was the supreme council, or court, in ancient Israel. - They led a trial in the night, which was illegal. - They brought false witnesses to testify against Jesus, their lies were not in agreement. - Vs 62 Jesus uses the word I am that ‘s the word for Yahweh

His Disciples 10 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. The lady poured out the expensive perfume on Jesus, which was equal to a year’s wages. Judas was willing to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Scholars say this is approximately 4 months wages of a laborer.

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[f] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will. 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

- Gethsemane means “ oil Press”, it’s a garden of olive trees at the foot of Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. - Keep watch – 3 times Jesus tells his disciples and all the 3 times they fail. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Vs 36 Jesus uses the word Abba, father- this is the only time in all the gospels where this word Abba is used 48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

- They had left everything to follow him, now they leave him. His Core 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[h] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[i] you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. - The Discipler and the Disciple both are on trial. - 3 times Peter sleeps off and 3 times he denies Jesus. - Peter broke down and wept, the great Rock, Peter has been broken.

Today we can say “ Lord, Me too”.  His own betrayed Jesus – They were too Offended.  His disciples betrayed Jesus – They were too Weak.  His Core betrayed Jesus – They were too Fearful.