No Ordinary Man. Background

Transcription

1 W No Ordinary Man Walking With the Servant Savior Mark 14:1-42 Inductive Women s Bible Fellowship Lesson 18 hat makes a gift the perfect gift? Is it finding something suitable for the occasion or giving precisely what the recipient desires? Must it be rare and costly? Should it be practical or wildly extravagant? Perhaps it isn t the present itself, but the heartfelt thought behind it, that makes it perfect. Jesus final earthly days were scored by conflict, conspiracy and suffering. Hatred reached a fever pitch, exposing the Lord to the ugliness of sinful souls He came to save. Only the Father Himself could understand the depth of pain searing its way into the Savior s heart, but one woman glimpsed His purpose and came to worship. Though unnamed in Mark s account, John tells us Mary of Bethany anointed the Lord s head and feet with costly perfume. She was harshly criticized by others, but Jesus was so moved by her devotion He said her gift would always be remembered. Days later, the sweet fragrance that had filled that room still clung to His hair as they pressed a crown of thorns into His brow. Background Spikenard, an aromatic oil extracted from plants that grow high in the Himalayas, was rare and very expensive. The amount that Mary possessed was equal to an entire year s earnings. Alabaster was a favorite container for preserving perfume, but once the jar was broken its contents would need to be used immediately. While it was customary to anoint an honored guest with a few drops of precious oil, Mary s lavish gift was an expression of unlimited devotion. Getting started. Find a quiet place to study. Take your Bible, your lesson and any other study tools you want to use. Begin with prayer. Take time to settle your heart, focus your thoughts and ask the Lord to help you see with clear eyes. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your law. Psalm 119:18 NLT Mark 14:1-42 Read the passage two or three times without interruption. If possible, read from more than one Bible translation. Briefly describe in your own words what is happening

2 This text is provided for your convenience. Use this to scribble notes, write down word definitions, highlight events whatever you find useful to your own personal study. The translation used will vary from week to week. Working Text for Mark 14:1-42 New International Version (NIV) 1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 But not during the Feast, they said, or the people may riot. 3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as 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 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, 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 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. 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. 12 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus disciples asked him, Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover? 13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? 15 He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there. 16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me one who is eating with 2

3 me. 19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, Surely not I? 20 It is one of the Twelve, he replied, one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born. 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take it; this is my body. 23 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many, he said to them. 25 I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God. 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 You will all fall away, Jesus told them, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. 29 Peter declared, Even if all fall away, I will not. 30 I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, today yes, tonight before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times. 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you. And all the others said the same. 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, 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? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer! Scripture taken from the New International Version, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Pub. All rights reserved. 3

4 Write down your OBSERVATIONS Read the section and record what you see. Use the first column to keep track of what you find in the Bible passage. (Who? What? When? Where?) Follow along with Mark as he tells the story. Look for clues that tell you when and where the story is taking place. Who is mentioned and what part do they play? What events are recorded? Use the second column to record information you gather from other sources. Are more details of the story recorded in another gospel? What else can you discover about the people and places mentioned? You may want to look up names and places in a Bible dictionary, map or encyclopedia. You can also use this section to jot down your own thoughts and impressions about people and events. Imagine the people, places and events you read about. Don t use your imagination to produce facts but use it to bring those biblical facts to life. Mark 14:1-11 Bible Facts and Information: My Research and Observations: Mark 14:12-21 Bible Facts and Information: My Research and Observations: 4

5 Mark 14:12-21 (continued) Bible Facts and Information: My Research and Observations: Mark 14:22-31 Bible Facts and Information: My Research and Observations: Mark 14:32-42 Bible Facts and Information: My Research and Observations: 5

6 Key Words and Phrases Key words and phrases help us understand the main point the writer wants to make. How do we recognize key words and phrases? Here are some simple things to look for. When you see a word or phrase repeated, you can be sure it was important to the writer in making his point. A key verse spotlights the main idea, while the surrounding verses support and add detail. You may need to read through the chapter several times before you re able to identify the key verse. If you are unfamiliar with a word or its meaning, it becomes a key word for you. Take time to learn the definition so you will understand how it is being used in the sentence. List any key words and phrases you found in Mark 14:1-42. Write the definition of the following words or phrases. Use a regular dictionary or a concordance with a Greek Dictionary if you have one. indignant (vs. 4) glad (vs. 11) sorrowful (vs. 19) troubled and deeply distressed (vs. 33) exceedingly sorrowful (vs. 34) INTERPRETATION What does it mean? Look for a spiritual lesson. Be careful not to read into the Bible an idea that is not there. Examine each verse in light of the verses around it. To help you find a spiritual lesson, ask questions such as, Is there a command to obey? A promise to claim? A condition to that promise? Is there a warning to heed? An example to follow or avoid? State the lesson in one simple sentence. APPLICATION How does it apply to me? We don t study the Bible just to gather information we want to spiritually grow. Our heart needs to be open to change. The only way to move truth off the pages of your Bible and into your life is to put it into action. To apply a spiritual lesson, we must examine ourselves and take deliberate steps to do something with what we have learned. Ask yourself: Is this a new lesson, or does it reinforce what I already know? What does it challenge me to do? Does it point out error in my attitude or actions? What changes does it require? Think of how the lesson relates to you and what specific course of action you will take. Write your application in the form of a question to make it personal. 6

7 Mark 14:1-11 Lesson: Application: Mark 14:12-21 Lesson: Application: Mark 14:22-31 Lesson: Application: Mark 14:32-42 Lesson: Application: Summary Write a simple sentence that summarizes what the passage is about. Give a title to the chapter that will help you personally to remember it. 7

8 Take A Closer Look Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take it; this is my body. Mark 14:22 The Passover meal was rich with symbolism for every Jew. As the disciples reclined around the table with Jesus, they were participating in a ritual steeped in history and religious tradition. The ancient account of bitter slavery was recalled. So, too, was the solemn remembrance that a lamb s blood applied to the doorposts gave covering as the angel of death passed over. For some fifteen hundred years, this had been the sacred symbol of deliverance and redemption; but that night, in the upper room, Jesus gave His followers new symbols of remembrance. As the true Passover Lamb, His broken body and shed blood would seal the new covenant between God and His people. No other sacrifice would be necessary; no remembrance would be more sacred. What s in a name? Over time, this Christian act of remembrance has been given different names, each one emphasizing some facet of its importance. We call it the Lord s Supper because it was the last Passover meal that Jesus ate with His disciples. It is called Eucharist (from the Greek word for thanksgiving ) because it s a time for expressing gratitude for our salvation through Christ s redeeming sacrifice. We call it Communion to acknowledge the intimate fellowship we have with God, made possible only through His Son, Jesus Christ. What do the bread and the cup symbolize? While you may already be very familiar with the meaning of the bread and the cup, take time to read each of the scriptures given and then explain, in your own words, what these elements symbolize. The Bread John 6:32-35 John 6:51 Luke 22:19 The Cup Matthew 26:28 1 Peter 1:18-19 Revelation 1:5 What does it mean to participate in a worthy manner? While communion is always a solemn remembrance, we need not view it as a somber occasion. It is a time to remember, with humble and heartfelt gratitude, what Jesus Christ accomplished for our sake. How do we do this in a way that honors Him? 8

9 As you read the following verses, note some of the attitudes / actions that prepare our hearts to take part in the Lord s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:28 Lamentations 3:40 Psalm 139: John 1:9 Titus 3:5-7 Romans 5:1-2 Psalm 35:9 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Do this in remembrance of Me. Did you know that, by obeying the Lord s command, you are doing more than looking back? According to what the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 11:26, when you partake of communion, you are proclaiming the gospel and looking forward to the Lord s return! Something to Think About... Do this in remembrance of Me. Luke 22:19 How do we remember Christ in the Lord s Supper? By thinking about what He did and why He did it. If the Lord s Supper becomes just a ritual or a pious habit, it no longer remembers Christ, and it loses its significance. - Handbook of Bible Application - God s Word Bearing Fruit For you personally, what is the most important lesson from this chapter? How will you put what you have learned into practice? 9

10 Message Notes: Prayer Requests: 2006 Leah Case, All Rights Reserved 10