Scripture Reading : Mark 14:1-21
Theme : The Passion Week
The Passover commemorated the “passing over” of Israelite homes by the angel of death, who killed the firstborn of all Egypt (Ex 12:1-13:16). The Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorated the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. Unleavened bread signified the absence of the leaven of sin in their lives and household (Ex 12:6; Lev 23:6-8).
- The Plot against Jesus. Instead of remembering how the Lord rescued their forefathers out of Egypt, sparing their lives and leaving their sin behind in Egypt, the Jewish leaders plotted to kill Jesus – a murderous sin. Part of the plot was Judas, who would betray Jesus. The plot showed the extreme hardness of hearts of the Israelites.
- The Preparation of Jesus. In contrast to the religious leaders, who were hypocrites plotting a murder while commemorating the grace of God, Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 12:3), showed her total devotion to God by anointing Him with a very costly perfume. Mary’s anointing of Jesus became a symbol that anticipated His death and burial. Judas, who was part of the murderous plot, took the lead in rebuking Mary (John 12:4-5; Matt 26:8).
- The Prediction by Jesus. When Jesus ate the Passover meal with the disciples, He knew and told them that one of them (Judas) would betray Him. Jesus was not a victim, but a victor, because the Old Testament already prophesied His betrayal (Ps 22; Isa 53) and He came to fulfill God’s predetermined plan to offer His live as a ransom for sinners.
Praying the Scripture
- Jesus said that if we are angry with someone, we have already committed murder in our hearts. Are we guilty of murder while we thank God for saving us? Let us repent from this sin and ask God for forgiveness. We should also pray that God give us the courage to seek reconciliation with the party we are angry with.
- Are we willing to part with our most treasured things in demonstration of our total devotion to God? Let us pray that we might devote our entire lives, not just our belongings, to serve God.
- Jesus is not a victim, but a victor. It is clear from Jesus words that the punishment that Judas would experience in hell is so great that “it would have been better for that man if he had never been born.” (Mark 14:21) Let us pray for our loved ones to believe in Jesus, or they too will burn in hell together with Judas for rejecting Jesus.
经文：马可福音14:1-21
主题：圣周
逾越节纪念的是神在埃及地杀害所有的长子时，“越过”了以色列人的家（出12:1-13:16）。除酵节则纪念以色列人离开埃及地。无酵饼代表以色列人的生命及家中没有罪的发酵。
- 策谋杀害耶稣。犹太首领们不但不纪念主是如何拯救他们的祖先脱离埃及，并保住他们的性命，将他们的罪留在埃及地；如今反倒策谋杀害耶稣，愿犯滔天大罪。犹大则是计谋的一部分，因为他将背叛耶稣。这显示了以色列人顽固刚硬的心。
- 耶稣的预备。那些宗教领袖都是假冒为善的人；他们外表上在纪念神的恩典，心里却是在策划如何杀人。马大及拉撒路的姐妹（约12:3）马利亚则恰恰相反，以非常昂贵的膏浇在耶稣的头上，表示对神的全然忠心。她的举动成为了耶稣将死与被埋的象征。属杀害耶稣策谋一部分的犹大这时率先斥责马利亚（约12:4-5；太26:8）。
- 耶稣的预言。当耶稣与门徒们共享逾越节大餐时，祂晓得并告诉他们之中的一位（犹大）会出卖祂。耶稣并非一名受害者，而是一位得胜者，因为旧约已经预言了祂的背叛（诗22，赛53），且祂到来的目的是要应验神已定的计划，将自己的生命献上，作罪人的赎罪祭。
用经文祷告
- 耶稣说，我们若对人含怒气，便是在心里犯下杀人的罪了。我们是否在感谢神拯救我们的同时，也犯下杀人的罪呢？让我们从这罪中悔改，祈求神原谅。我们也当祈求神赐予我们勇气，向我们所含怒气的另一方寻求和好。
- 我们是否愿意舍弃我们最珍爱的东西，以表示对神的全然忠心呢？让我们祈求我们会献上自己的一生，而不仅仅是身外物，来事奉神。
- 耶稣不是一个受害者，乃是一位得胜者。从耶稣的话中，我们清楚知道犹大将在地狱里受到的惩罚是极大的，叫“那人不生在世上倒好”（21节）。让我们祈求我们的亲人能信靠耶稣，否则他们也会因拒绝耶稣而在地狱里燃烧。
