Why the Last Supper?

Introduction

Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch watchmaker, helped hide hundreds of Jews during World War II. She knew the terrible risk, but it was a devastating blow when she and her family were betrayed and arrested. When she arrived in Ravensbruk – one of the worst of the Nazi concentration camps – she was horrified to find that her building was infested with fleas. She was tempted to complain, but her sister Betsy insisted that they give thanks for the fleas since they were an “everything” from 1 Thessalonians 5:18. As time went by, Corrie and Betsy began to hold Bible studies for the ladies in their building using the little Bible the Lord had allowed them to sneak in. To their astonishment, the guards never inspected their building or interrupted their Bible studies. One day Corrie realized that the fleas were the reason the guards never came into their building. That day she felt thankful for the fleas and began to appreciate them. It isn’t just the unpleasant things in life that we can gain a deeper appreciation for. It is a wonderful experience when we gain a deeper understanding of things and people we value and love. Study Mark 14:12-26 to gain a deeper appreciation for what Jesus did for you as your sacrifice.

Observation

Pray

Thank the Lord for speaking to you in His Word and ask Him to help you understand, believe, and live it today.

Read Focus Verses

Read Mark 14:12-26 and imagine that you're there as one of the disciples.

Holiday

What holiday are Jesus and His disciples celebrating in this passage? It's named several times.

Keyword - Passover

Marking a repeated word like Passover can help it stand out.

Passover

Mark the word Passover in Mark 14:12-26.

Keyword - Jesus Christ

Jesus is the main Character in this passage as He has been all through the book of Mark.

Jesus Christ

Mark each time Jesus is named or mentioned in Mark 14:12-26.

A Question

What did the disciples ask Jesus in verse 12?

Unusual Directions

What unusual directions did Jesus give them for finding the place to celebrate Passover together?

During Dinner

What did Jesus tell the disciples during the Passover meal according to verse 18?

Is It I?

How did the disciples respond in verse 19 to Jesus' startling announcement?

Who?

In verses 20-21 who does Jesus say would be the betrayer?

Bread

Describe what Jesus says and does in verse 22.

Cup

Describe what Jesus says and does in verses 23-25.

Afterwards

What did Jesus and the disciples do afterwards according to verse 26?

Context

The verses around a passage provide context and help us better understand what's going on. If you look back at Mark 14:10-11, you'll find out something that only two of the people in today's passage knew at the time.

Just Before

What had just happened before the events in today's passage?

Who?

How does that change the way you think about what happened in today's verses?

Interpretation

What Is Passover?

This short video tells the story of Passover - a holiday that God commanded Israel to celebrate.

Christ Our Passover

The Passover lambs died so that the firstborn sons in Israel did not have to die. Consider what the second part of 1 Corinthians 5:7 says about who these lambs pointed to.

Who?

Who were the Passover lambs a picture of?

Sin's Wages

The next three verses explain how Jesus died in place of sinners like the Passover lambs died in place of the firstborn sons of Israel. Start with Romans 6:23.

What?

What does sin earn according to Romans 6:23?

Gift

What is the gift of God?

Dying for Us

Romans 5:6-8 explains how this works.

God's Love

What did Jesus do for us according to Romans 5:6-8?

Exchange

2 Corinthians 5:22 describes the exchange that makes this possible.

Our Sins

What did God do with Christians' sins according to 2 Corinthians 5:22?

His Righteousness

A Christian's sinful record and guilt were given to Jesus and paid for by His death and resurrection. What do they get in exchange according to 2 Corinthians 5:22?

Passover Lamb

If someone asked how the Passover lambs pointed to Jesus, what would you say?

Significant Timing

In today's passage Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples just hours before He died for our sins. Based on what you know about the picture of the Passover lambs pointing to Jesus, why do you think God chose that time for Jesus to die?

God's Plan, Man's Plan

Notice again what Mark 14:21 says about the one (Judas Iscariot) who would betray Jesus.

How It Works Together

This short post explains that even though it was God's plan for Jesus to be betrayed and die for our sins, Judas was fully responsible for choosing to betray Jesus Christ.

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Which Is It?

Similes and metaphors are very similar, but there is a difference. A simile uses the word like or as to compare two things: he is as strong as an ox. A metaphor simply states the comparison: his heart is pure gold. Was Jesus using simile or metaphor when He talked about the bread and cup in today's passage (Mark 14:22-25)?

The Lord's Table

1 Corinthians 11:23-32 teaches how the church is to continue this ordinance Jesus established.

Looking Back

What does communion look back to according to these verses?

Looking Forward

What does it look forward to according to these verses?

Carefully

Is it something to be done lightly? Why or why not?

Don't Forget

Over and over again, God instructs His people to purposefully remember and never forget what He's done for us. See what Deuteronomy 4:9 says.

Remember

What does this verse teach us about how important it is to remember what the Lord has done?

Lord's Table

In light of that, why do you think Jesus gave the church a physical way to remember His death and resurrection?

Jesus Singing

Have you ever pictured Jesus singing before? Does that change your view about Jesus?

Singing

Look at what Ephesians 5:19 says about singing.

Singing Christians

What does Ephesians 5:19 say about Christians and singing?

Since Jesus Sang

How does it change what you think about singing to know Jesus sang?

Once More

Read Mark 14:12-26 once more now that you understand the pieces better.

About Jesus

What do you see about Jesus in these verses?

Application

Your Passover

Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus as your Passover Lamb - the one who died so that you don't have to? If you have, take some time to think about what the picture of the Passover lamb reveals about Christ's sacrifice and thank Him for what He's done for you. If not, won't you turn from your sin and ask for His forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:13)?

The Lord's Table

If you are a disciple of the Lord Jesus, how will what you studied today impact the way you think about and participate in Communion next time?

Singing to the Lord

Before the darkest hours of His life, Jesus sang a hymn. What's a hymn that you love that can encourage you when you face difficult times?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study plan has helped you understand the Lord's Table better and has given you a fresh appreciation for on your behalf.

Feedback

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