The Gospel of Mark: The Last Supper

When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”

While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of thecovenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same. ~ Mark 14:17-31


Way to ruin a party, Jesus!

Just when all the festivities have swung into gear, Jesus starts talking about betrayal. And everyone gets distressed.

Except probably Judas. Did you notice that Jesus calls him out as the one. Guess Judas was dipping his hand in at the same time as Jesus. Did Judas hear him? Did the others? Did they know? Did they believe?

Then he switches gears again and solemnly institutes the Lord's Supper. What did they all think of that?

And then once again he switches to being a party-pooper. Not only will he be betrayed, but he will be deserted.

And denied. You have to feel for Peter. He truly, vehemently can't imagine denying knowing Jesus. His passion here is evident.

But he is forgetting all the times he's messed up along the way already. He is forgetting how often he forgets who Jesus is.

But hopefully he will remember how often Jesus continues to love him anyway.


Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen


Engagement Questions:


What are your feelings about Peter at this point in Mark's gospel?



 

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