SERIES: Mark — The Cross-Shaped Life
TEXT: Mark 14:12-26
MESSAGE: “The Last Supper”

1 Peter 1:19-20 says, “He was chosen before the foundation of the world…”

“Confucius, Muhammad, Buddha, Moses—they all died in old age, in comfort and blessedness, triumphant over their opponents. Of all the founders of major religions, Jesus died alone, young, stripped naked, stared at, mocked, while he died in agony, crying out to God who had forsaken him. Who, hearing that story, would say, “That’s the spiritual leader I want”? And yet, the suffering and death of Jesus Christ transformed lives at a depth and on a scale that completely changed the ancient world. People’s lives were changed if they grasped the understanding of Jesus’ death that he gave at the Last Supper.” — Timothy Keller

TEXT: Mark 14:12-26

“…we see our Savior in total control—down to the last detail—as He makes His way to the cross to die for the sins of the world (John 1:29). He will indeed be crushed, not by the “wheel of the world,” but by the will of His Father (Isa 53:10), a will our Lord both understood and embraced. “Jesus is not a tragic hero caught in events beyond his control. There is no hint of desperation, fear, anger, or futility on his part. Jesus does not cower or retreat as plots are hatched against him. He displays, as he has throughout the Gospel, a sovereign freedom and authority to follow a course he has freely chosen in accordance with God’s plan” (Edwards, Mark, 419).” — Daniel Akin

Q: What do we learn about the importance of the cross from the Last Supper?

We see the significance in three ways: Through…(1. The Preparation 2. The Plan 3. The Purpose)

1. The Preparation (v. 12-16)

“And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.”

2. The Plan (v. 17-24)

“And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.”

“…Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” — John 1:29

3. The Purpose (v. 25-26)

“And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

TAKEAWAYS: What does this mean for our lives today?

• Do you see God’s hand in your life?
• Have you personally taken Christ?

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” — Psalm 34:8

“We are never more than poor beggars telling other poor beggars where there is bread.” — D.A. Carson

• Is Jesus the object of your faith?

“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” — John 19:28-30