Mark 14:1-26
More Than A Meal

V.1-2 Why hadn’t they found an “opportune time”?

V.3 “Simon the leper”

What a testimony!

V.3 “A woman” - Mary the sister of Lazarus and Martha (John 12)

“Very expensive perfume” - A costly aromatic anointing oil extracted from an East Indian plant.

Judas and the others object

John 12:6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

V.7 Jesus is not saying that the poor shouldn’t be helped (Matt. 6:2-4; 19:21; Luke 6:20, 36-38; John 13:29 )

Mary wanted to show her love and appreciation while she could

* The Tribute by Dennis Rainey

Mary’s worship
1. Sacrificial
2 Sam 24:24 But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

2. Unreserved
Ex: 2 Sam. 6:12-22

V.10-11
Satanic Influence
Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Betrayal Cost
Matt 26:14 Then one of the Twelve-the one called Judas Iscariot-went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Can anything compare to what God can give?

Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

If we could only see the end

James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

V.17-21
“One of you will betray me”

It’s possible to look so much like the real thing but in actuality to be a counterfeit

“Surely not I?”
1 Cor 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

Prov 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

V.20 “one who dips bread into the bowl with me.”
Ps 41:9 Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Planned but Free

Acts 4:23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

Cranfield,, “The fact that God turns the wrath of man to His praise does not excuse the wrath of man.”
Chosen but Free, by Norman Geisler

V.22-25
•Bitter Herbs
•A dish made of honey, apples, nuts and wine
•Lamb
•Unleavened bread
•4 Cups of wine
Eucharist- “Took the bread and gave thanks”

V.25 See Rev. 19

V.26 Psalm 115-118