Monday April 14, 2014

Read  Mark 14:1-11

If Hollywood ever got a hold of the Bible story they could turn it into a great murder mystery novel. Who betrayed Jesus? Why was he betrayed? Why was he falsely accused? Who stood to gain the most from His death? Why did Jesus really die?

But as you read through the gospels it doesn’t read as a murder mystery novel. There is no suspense about the impending death of Jesus. In Mark 8:33ff, 9:30-32, 10:32-34 Jesus has told the disciples in plain English (or every day Aramaic!!) that He is going to be crucified, die and be raised to eternal life. The shock value comes not from solving the “Who Done It?” mystery but from the realization that God would send His only begotten Son into the world to die an accursed death so that you and I can be forgiven.

Even as far back as chapter 3, verse 6 the Pharisees and teachers of the law had already begun to plot ways to kill Jesus.

When the woman carrying an expensive alabaster jar of perfume pours it over the head of Jesus, the disciples are scandalized and rebuke her severely. The incident acts as an incentive or catalyst for Judas to contact the religious leaders to betray Jesus. He’s so angry that he runs to the enemy to betray the Son of God.

But Jesus again uses the event to teach us that He must die. There is no other way than for Jesus to die accursed by God. There is no other option. If you and I are to enjoy favour with God, peace with God and a relationship with God then Jesus must die.

The mystery is not in the ‘Who Done it?’ You are guilty. I am guilty. We are all guilty. Jesus died because each of us is guilty. The mystery is in the coming of the sinless one, the perfect one, the one who deserves all glory and honour and praise to be treated like a criminal and to die on the cross bearing our rebellion upon his crime sheet.

Prayer:

Having read today’s passages, jot down 2 points for each type of prayer.

Adoration:

Confess:

Thanks

Supplication:

ª Ask God to fill your church this Easter with thousands of people seeking to find the truth of Easter. Pray that the cross and resurrection would be powerfully proclaimed and that by God’s grace many would come to repentance and faith in Jesus.

ª Pray that the people you invite to your church’s Easter services will be able to come, that they will come and that they will be challenged by the Word and that they will enter into a saving relationship with Christ Jesus.

 Worship Moment –  To work out your salvation with fear and trembling is really a life of worship because this command means asking, ’How shall I live to glorify God?’ This is an easy question in good times but a hard question in tough or bad times. But when we live to glorify God life is worship.

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. How do you deal with the statement, ‘Not everyone in the church is a Christian and not everyone in the church will go to heaven’.

2. Why should we make sure that we are properly attired in Jesus’ righteousness as per the parable?

3. If I am not sure whether or not I am saved, what can I do?