PASSION SUNDAY (Palm Sunday)

Commemoration of the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem

I Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7: I did not cover my face against insult- I know I shall not be shamed.

II Reading: Philippians 2:6-11: He humbled himself, but God raised him high.

Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47: Passion and death of Jesus Christ

THE SON OF GOD’S PASSION MINISTRY:

JESUS’ SUPREME SACRIFICE-REJECTED & CRUCIFIED

A.   Jesus’ Death is Plotted: A Picture of the Passover & Jesus’ Death, Mk 14:1-2

This passage begins the final stage of Jesus’ life before he was killed. In dramatic fashion Mark sets the stage for what is coming. In two short verses he mentions the Passover, and then he mentions the religionist’s plotting Jesus’ death-two scenes as opposite form one another as can be imagined.

It was a celebration of God’s glorious deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. Yet during the very days of this joyous celebration, Jesus’ murder was being plotted. And tragically it was being plotted by religionists, the very people who should have taking the lead in the Passover. On the other hand, there was the celebration of deliverance, the saving of life; on the other hand, there was the plotting of death, the taking of life. This passage deliberately sets the stage for what is to come.

1.     Picture 1: The Passover (v.1)

2.     Picture 2: The religionists’ plotted Jesus’ death (v.1-2)

a.     Plotted by all the leaders

b.    Plotted by deception: To arrest Jesus on false charges after the pilgrims had left the feast

B.   Jesus’ Anointing at Bethany: A Study of Love, Mk 14:3-9

John tells us that the woman was Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, who anointed Jesus (Jn 12:1f). The title of this passage could easily be, A Study of Sacrifice. The result is a strong lesson on sacrifice or sacrificial giving.

1.     The woman’s love was selfless and costly (v.3)

2.     The woman’s love was questioned and rebuked harshly (v.4-5)

3.     The woman’s love was a good and lovely thing (v.6)

4.     The woman’s love  grasped the opportune time (v.7)

5.     The woman’s love did all it could (v.8)

6.     The woman’s love was rewarded (v.9)

C.   Jesus’ Betrayal: Why a Disciple Failed, Mk 14:10-11

Judas Iscariot denied and betrayed Jesus- two terrible sins that doomed him eternally. This is most tragic, for Judas had known Jesus personally. He had walked with Jesus during the Lord’s earthly ministry, professing to be one of the close followers of the Lord. The fact that he could know Jesus so well and still end up failing and being doomed is a warning to all of us. All of us must heed why Judas failed so miserably.

1.     Judas was personally irresponsible (v.10-11)

a.     Was full of jealousy

b.    Was full of ambition

c.      Was full of greed

d.    Was devil-possessed

2.     Judas sought sin, to deceive and betray Jesus Christ (v.11)

D.   Jesus’ Last Chance to Judas: The Appeal to a sinner, Mk 14:12-21

Jesus was forced to make secret arrangements for keeping the Passover. Judas had just plotted with the authorities to betray Jesus (Mk 14:10-11). They wanted to arrest him in a quiet spot where the people would not be present and rise to his defence. Judas was just waiting for the right place and time. The Upper Room would be an ideal place and time. Jesus knew this, so he made secret arrangements.

The points of the present passage is to show that Jesus knew about Judas’ betrayal and to show how Jesus went about giving Judas a last chance to repent.

1.     The Passover was approaching (v.12)

a.     The disciples asked where they were to observe the Passover

b.    It was Jesus’ habit to worship

2.     Jesus knew about Judas’ denial and betrayal (v.13-17)

a.     He kept his plans and movement secret

b.    He shared only with his trusted disciples

1)    He had pre-planned the arrangements

2)    He sent trusted disciples to carry out the arrangements

c.      He kept his plans despite the betrayal

3.     Jesus gave Judas every chance to repent (v.18-20)

a.     The 1^st chance: He tried to stir conviction

1)    Stirred sorrow in the faithful

2)    Stirred self-examination in the faithful

b.    The 2^nd chance: Revealed monstrous deception

4.     Jesus gave Judas a last warning (v.21)

Thought: Jesus worshipped and kept the feasts of the Jews. He did not neglect the meeting together with others. The disciples knew this (Heb 10:25)

SATURDAY, FIFTH WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Ezekiel 37:21-28: I shall make them into one nation.

Gospel: John 11: 45-57: To gather together in unity the scattered children of God.

Jesus and the Religious leaders: Unbelief and Opposition, Jn 11:47-57

This passage gives an excellent lesson on unbelief and opposition to Jesus Christ, a lesson that needs to be studied by every person.

1.     The Sanhedrin met to discuss Jesus (v.47)

2.     The causes of unbelief and opposition (v.47-48)

a.     The fear of losing one’s recognition, esteem and following

b.    The fear of losing one’s position, influence and authority

3.     The conclusion of unbelief and opposition (v.49-53)

a.     Suggested by the religious leaders himself

b.    The conclusion: To sacrifice Jesus for the people

c.      The mystery of the conclusion

1)    He was predicting that Jesus was to die for the Jews

2)    He was predicting that Jesus was to die for the world

3)    The decision was made: Reject Jesus-do away with Him

4.     The response of Jesus to unbelief and opposition (v.54)

a.     He withdrew from the rejecters

b.    He concentrated on His disciples

5.     Providence of God in moving events despite unbelief and opposition (v.55-57)

a.     God controlled the time: The Passover

b.    God stirred the people’s interest: Caused them to seek for Jesus

c.      God controlled man’s devilish plots: Kept the people from helping and contributing to the evil

Thought: It is a man’s selfishness that causes him to cling both to himself and to his possessions. Man wants to control all he is and has, to do his own things as he wills and desires and to have no interference in his life desires, or little as possible.

God takes the rejection and opposition of men and uses it to stir in His Son and to stir salvation in others.

FRIDAY, FIFTH WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13: The Lord is at my side, a mighty hero.

Gospel: John 10:31-42: They wanted to arrest Jesus then, but he eluded them.

THE REVELATION OF JESUS, THE SHEPHERD OF LIFE, Jn 10:1-42

The Great Shepherd’s claims, Jn 10: 22-42

Jesus Christ is the great shepherd-great because of who He is. Note that phenomenal claims He made.

1.     Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication (v.22-24)

a.     It was winter

b.    He was walking in Solomon’s colonnade

c.      The religionists approached and questioned him

2.     Claim 1: He is the Messiah (v.25-29)

a.     Religionists did not believe

1)    His clear claim

2)    His works are proof

3)    Reason: the religionists were not of his sheep

b.    His sheep believe

1)    Are receptive

2)    Are known

3)    Do follow

4)    Are given life

5)    Are kept from perishing

6)    Are secure

7)    Are assured a double security in God Himself

3.     Claim 2: He is one with God, that is, He is God Himself (v.30-33)

a.     The religionists reacted

b.    Jesus questioned their reaction

c.      The religionists admitted that His works were good

d.    The religionists understood His claim, but they rejected Him

4.     Claim 3: He is the Son of God (v.34-36)

a.     Jesus showed man’s inconsistency

b.    Jesus’ claim

1)    The Father sanctified Him, set Him apart

2)    The Father sent Him

3)    He is the Son of God

5.     Claim 4: God is in Him and He is in God-absolutely (v.37-39)

a.     His works prove

b.    He was still rejected

6.     Conclusion: Jesus retired (v.40-42)

a.     Jesus went to the area of John the Baptist

b.    John’s crowds began to follow Jesus

c.      Many believed in Jesus

Thought: Who is Jesus Christ for me or for you today? He is sinless, come from God, the Gate of the sheep, the good shepherd, the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the Saviour or  Deliverer from death and sin.....

THURSDAY, FIFTH WEEK OF LENT- YEAR-B

I Reading: Genesis 17:3-9: You shall become the father of a multitude of nations.

Gospel: John 8:51-59: Your father Abraham rejected to think that he would see my Day.

Man’s Escape from Death, Jn 8:48-59

This is an astonishing claim-a person does not have to die (v.51). We shall all escape death.

1.     A harsh insult-Jesus is a Samaritan and demon possessed (v.48-50)

a.     Jesus’ strong denial

b.    Jesus’ purpose: to honour God

c.      Jesus’ honour is God’s concern

2.     The great revelation: Man can escape death (v.51-53)

a.     The condition: “if...”

b.    The reaction to Jesus’ promise: A charge that He was demon possessed

1)    The charge: All godly men have died

2)    The question: Who do you claim to be?

3.     The great authority of Jesus to promise deliverance from death (v.54-59)

a.     He was honoured by God

1)    The God often professed by men

2)    The God unknown by so many men

b.    He personally knew God and obeyed His Word

c.      He was the One that Abraham hoped for and actually saw

1)    The Messiah

2)    The Jews misinterpreted Jesus’ claim

d.    He was the great “I Am”

1)    Before Abraham

2)    The reaction against Him: rejection

Thought: Why would God come to earth as a Man? The answer is clearly stated: to bring the message of God to the world, the glorious gospel (Jn 8:31-32). However, note the reaction of men to God’s presence. They rejected and opposed Him and tried to get rid of Him. They wanted nothing to do with Him, lest His claims lay hold of their lives and they be forced to change the way they lived. (Lk 6:11; 19:14; Jn 7:7).