1 THE DEATH & RESURRECTION OF JESUS AS TOLD BY MARK Weeks 1 The Last Supper Opening Prayer Intro to Study: Let’s look at some of the things that had happened leading up to Thursday evening and the Last Supper. Just four days prior to then Jesus had made a triumphant enter into Jerusalem. The crowds were shouting “Hosanna the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the names of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest heaven!” To the disciples, it looked like the time had finally come when Jesus was going to declare His kingdom on earth. But on the other hand they saw how angry the religious rulers were at Jesus and knew that would be a problem. Jesus did nothing to help that situation by going to the Temple and running all the venders out of the courtyard for the second time and preaching at the Temple every day. Not just preaching but also criticizing the priests and calling them hypocrites. These things just added fuel to the fire and confusion for the disciples. Read: Mark 14:12-16 1. Jesus chose two disciples to prepare the Passover meal. Mark does not tell us who they were but their names can be found in Luke 22:8. Who were they & why were they chosen? Ask class for ideas. I believe Peter and John were chosen by Jesus based on his knowledge of things to come. In the Gospel account of the Passion what three disciples play a major roll in what is happening? Peter, John & Judas. Peter and his denial of Christ. John being asked to take Mary as his Mother. Judas and his betrayal of Christ. In the case of Peter and John there had to be a tremendous amount of trust in them on the part of Jesus. Jesus referred to Peter as the “Rock” and said that he would be the foundation His church would be built upon. Sure Peter, just like any human, was weak in his denial of Christ but Jesus knew that was only temporary. He knew the Peter would repent and become his strongest follower. Jesus trusted Peter. Jesus referred to John as “His Beloved”. He saw in John a sincerity and type love that was not present in the other disciples. John was chosen to have one of the seats of honor on the night of the Last Supper. John did desert Jesus. But when Jesus was hanging on the cross, who was standing at his feet with Mary? John. Who did Jesus give his Mother to; to be cared for? John. Jesus trusted John. So these two men were asked to be responsible for the preparation of the very last supper Jesus would have with his disciples before his death. 2 2. Jesus instructed Peter & John to find a man carrying a water jar and arrange for the Upper Room. What would have made this man stand out so that he could have been easily identified? Thoughts? The disciples could have easily identified the man at the well with the water jar because of a couple of reasons. First of all, men did not fetch the water. That was women’s work. And second, the man was a wealthy man, someone who owned property and would have been dressed accordingly. Easy to spot. 3. It is thought that the site of the upper room where Jesus shared his last meal with his disciples is the same room where the original remaining disciples fled after Jesus was crucified and resurrected (Acts 1:121-14) and stayed for 10 days after Jesus ascended into heaven & when 120 disciples gathered on the Day of Pentecost to witness the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:15 & 2:1-4). Why was this room chosen for the Last Supper? Anyone want to answer? There are a couple of accepted theories as to how this particular room was selected. One is that Jesus had prearranged with the owner of the room for the meal. Or the other is that Jesus was using the supernatural powers God had given Him. The knowledge of things to come. 4. Why would the disciples flee back to this place after the death of Christ? Jesus had a reputation that preceded Him wherever he went. If He had prearranged for the room the owner would have known who was using the place and would have been comfortable with Jesus and the disciples being there. That could not have been said of just anyone. Many folks would have been afraid to have Jesus or his followers anywhere close. So, surely after Jesus died the landlord would have been OK with letting the disciples hide out at his place until things cooled off. 5. Why would 120 disciples gather in the same room on the Day of Pentecost? Pentecost occurred 50 days after the crucifixion of Jesus and 10 days after his ascension into heaven. The original disciples already knew about the large room where they had stayed after Jesus died and knew it would hold a large number of people. It was a familiar place that would accommodate their current number of 120. In John 16, on the night of the Last Supper, Jesus teaches the disciples about the Holy Spirit. What better place to receive the Holy Spirit than in the room where Jesus foretold its coming. It was a God thing. Read: Mark 14:17-21 3 All arrive for the celebration of the Passover Meal, which was to be a joyous time of food, reflection, and friendship. However, Jesus’ mood was anything but joyous. He knew what was facing him and what he wanted more than anything was to be with his friends and help them understand what was coming. He had been trying for some time to prepare them for his leaving them but they just could not comprehend what he was saying and tonight was no different. 6. The Last Supper was likely eaten around a triclinium. If that is the case, we see that Jesus would have been flanked on his right side by John and on his left by Judas Iscariot according to John 13:21-27. Why was that type of seating used for the Last Supper? Ask class for response In the culture of Jesus’ time it was tradition that formal meals be taken at a triclinium. It was used by both the Roman and Jews. It was a low, three sided table (tri) at which the participants reclined while eating their meal. This served a couple of useful proposes. First it was easy for the servants to serve the food and wash the feet of those at the table. Second, it allowed for a pecking order with the seating. The seats to the right and the left of the host were always considered the honored seats. These two people were picked by the host. All others sat where they could get a seat. 7. Why were John and Judas in the seats of honor? I don’t know why John as seated at the right side of Jesus. The only one of the books in the Gospel that mentions it is the book of John. So I guess he should know. He was certainly one of the three that formed the inner circle of the disciples (Peter, John & James). You will recall that it was John & James that posed the question to Jesus about who would sit at his right and his left when Jesus came into his kingdom. I am sure there is no question as to why Judas was at the left side of Jesus. He had to be there in order for things to work out that night. Jesus chose him because he knew he was the one who was to betray him. It says that Judas dips his bread in the bowl with Jesus. In order for this to happen they have to be sitting by each other. Jesus and Judas were the only two people at the table that understood what was happening. 8. According to Jewish tradition the ritual Passover meal is intended to make the vital story of Israel’s deliverance accessible to all those around the table. What is the purpose of the Seder Meal? It is a meal in which the Jewish people recount God’s freeing them from slavery and delivering them from bondage. It is done to celebrate the beginning of the Jews as a people. 9. What is the purpose of the “Last Supper”, “the Lords Supper” or “Communion”? Just as the Jews remember that they were freed from slavery and bondage we come to the table to remember that we too were slaves to sin and death, living for ourselves and on our own. But after receiving Christ we leave the meal free, knowing our Savior and choosing to follow him, accepting his grace and mercy in our lives. It commemorates 4 Christ’s death on the cross for sins and offers us the opportunity to celebrate our salvation. 10. Early into the meal Jesus announces, “One of you will betray me.” Of course, this got everyone’s attention, even Judas who probably wondered how Jesus knew it was him. This statement immediately got everyone at the table to wondering who the traitor would be and why would any of Jesus’ chosen friends and followers want to do such a thing. How could Judas sit there next to Jesus, sharing a meal & wine, yet in his heart betray Him? Judas, the very man who would betray Jesus, was at the table with the others.