Another Fine Mess

The Passion of Jesus

For Openers:

For Your Information:

The principal question which should guide your reading and which we will address at the end of this study is: "Why did Jesus have to die?" or "What was accomplished by Jesus’ death?"

Read Mark 10.32-34.
- The opposition to Jesus has been coming from Jerusalem. See 3.22 and 7.1. As in 8.31 and 9.31, Jesus again declares his upcoming passion.

Read Mark 10.35-40.
- Cup: also see 14.36. Metaphorically, the cup can be either an indication of good (Psalm 23.5) or bad (Psalm 11.6).
- Baptism: see Romans 6.3-4.

Read Mark 10.41-45. (Compare 9.35.)
- Ransom or Redemption: Also see Exodus 6.6; Isaiah 43.1-7; 44.21-23; Luke 24:21; Romans 3.24; 1 Timothy 2.5-6; Hebrews 9.15; 1 Peter 2.18-19.
- To give his life for many: See Isaiah 52.13-53.12.

Skim through 14.12-21 describing the preparations for the Passover meal and Jesus’ prediction of his betrayal. It is not clear what specific Scripture Jesus has in mind when he says that "the Son of Man goes as it is written of him." (Elsewhere on the Scriptural necessity of matters, see Mark 9.12; 12.10; 14.27, 49.)

Read Mark 14.22-25.
- Remember that the Passover meal was a meal recalling and celebrating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and how the angel of death passed over their houses because of the blood of the lamb. (Exodus 12-13)
- Covenant or testament: A covenant establishes a relationship between God and people. God’s promises are accompanied by a physical sign, in this case, bread and wine. Blood was an important element ratifying the relationship. (See Exodus 24.6-8 and Hebrews 9.11-10.18.) This new covenant or new testament that Jesus institutes points to Jeremiah 31.31-34.

Read Mark 14.26-28. Jesus quotes Zechariah 13.7. The promise in verse 28 is mentioned again in Mark 16.7.

Read Mark 14.32-42.
- Abba: The Aramaic term for "father;" used only here in Mark, but see Matthew 6.9.

Mark 15.21-39

Skim Mark 15.21-24. The reference to the parting of Jesus’ garments is an allusion to Psalm 22.18.

Read Mark 15.25-32. Note that this is the first time in Mark’s gospel that Jesus is publicly displayed as King / Messiah.
- The mocking described here alludes to Psalm 22.6-8.

Read Mark 15.33-39. Jesus cry is a quotation of Psalm 22.1.
- Elijah: See Mark 9.11-13.
- God’s Son - The first time in Mark’s gospel that a human being says this of Jesus

For Your Consideration:

  1. Mark 10.32-34: The disciples were "amazed" and "afraid" while following Jesus up to Jerusalem, apparently because they realized that Jesus was heading for a confrontation. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult "journey." Did you seem to be behind Jesus being led by him? Was Jesus pushing you from behind? Was Jesus nowhere in sight? Was Jesus carrying you along?
  2. Mark 10.35-40: Following Jesus entails "drinking the cup" that he drinks and being "baptized" as he is baptized. How are these metaphors of "drinking" and being "baptized" helpful or illuminating?
  3. Mark 10.41-44: What characteristics mark a successful political leader (otherwise known as a public servant!) today? What are some important differences you see today between political and religious leaders?
  4. How can a great leader be someone who serves and is last?
  5. Name someone whom you admire. What characteristics about that person do you most appreciate?
  6. Mark 10.45 is an important passage indicating at least one way of thinking about why Jesus had to die. But if Jesus is a "ransom," what is he ransoming / redeeming us from? What is he ransoming us for?
  7. Mark 14.21 and 27: Why is it important that what happens to Jesus happens according to Scripture?
  8. In Mark 14.22-25 Jesus institutes a new covenant. What was wrong with the old one? (See Jeremiah 31.32.) Why will the new covenant work? (See Jeremiah 31.33-34.)
  9. By yielding his body and blood for us, Jesus serves as a sacrifice for sin. What is important about this sacrificial nature of Jesus’ death? How is his sacrifice different from the kinds of sacrifices for sin described in the Old Testament?
  10. What is the biggest sacrifice someone (other than Jesus) has made for you? What is the biggest sacrifice you have made? What made it a sacrifice?
  11. Mark 14.26-28: If sheep lose their shepherd, they get lost and are exposed to great danger. If the death of the shepherd is a way of describing God’s plan of redemption for us, does it seem kind of risky and dangerous to you?
  12. Mark 14.32-40: Mark’s gospel does not include Jesus’ teaching of the Lord’s Prayer, but how does Jesus enact the Lord’s Prayer in this scene? How can this help you as you pray the Lord’s Prayer?
  13. If you were in God’s shoes and wanted to save the world from its sin, what sort of plan do you think you would come up with? What other possible ways could Jesus have been thinking of?
  14. In Mark 15.25-32, Jesus’ foes are mocking him, but are they telling any truth about Jesus?
  15. Mark 15.30 and 32: What do you think would have happened if Jesus had come down from the cross? Would Jesus’ foes have believed? How would it have changed your faith?
  16. Mark 15.33-34: What does it mean to be forsaken by God? Did God really forsake Jesus?
  17. Have you ever had a time when you felt forsaken by God? What did it feel like? How was the situation resolved?
  18. Mark 15.39: What did the centurion see? Do you understand his statement to be sincere or ironic?
  19. Why did Jesus have to die? What was accomplished by Jesus’ death?

For Later:

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