On Line Bible Study - For the week November 9-15, 2009
Lesson 413
Mark 14: 12On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
As we did with Matthew, so we will do with Mark - we will conclude our consideration of his gospel with the Last Supper, picking up the arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection when we conclude with the Gospel of St. John.
Mark understands the Last Supper to have been a Passover meal. We are going to focus on two aspects of this meal - the awareness of the Lamb, and the power of covenant as Jewish Christians came to understand the implications of this supper with the Lord.
Mark 14: 17When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me." 19They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?"
When the people of Israel sacrificed the lamb for their Passover Meal, the animal was not only innocent; it was unaware. The people understood the implications of the blood on their doorpost (See Exodus 12:21-23). In the case of Jesus, the "Lamb" - he was aware of what was about to happen, but the disciples were not. Note the contrast later in the chapter when Jesus tells them they will all fall away on account of me ... - Peter jumps up to defend himself. There seems to be a certitude, at least for Peter, that he would never do such a thing. But where is that certitude when Jesus speaks of his betrayer? Surely not I? The fact they were saddened suggests that none of them could be sure they were not the "betrayer".
This is quite the turn-around from the Passover! In the case of the Christian moment of salvation and liberation, the "lamb" is the only one who knows what is happening. The people have to figure it out later.
In some ways, this begs the nature of the "covenant" Christ proclaims later in the meal ...
Mark 14: 24"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25"I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."
"Covenant" is the language of relationship between Israel and God. It is the agreement that puts in place the law, God's care for the people, God's special relationship with Israel as "chosen". This is explicitly relational language Jesus uses, suggesting that, even though he is the only one who "gets it" now, the fact is that what he is about to do affects everyone. The "many" in verse 24 should be understood, according to Donahue and Harrington, as inclusive. In English it can suggest the inclusion of some but not all; in Aramaic and Hebrew the word insinuates an impact on people regardless of their awareness.
And so - we are left with the question: Do we get it? Have we "gotten it?" As we hear the covenant language of "blood poured out for many", what difference does it make?
There are many other aspects of this text that demand attention. We will stop here. And now we move to the Gospel of Luke.
Mark 14: 12On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
As we did with Matthew, so we will do with Mark - we will conclude our consideration of his gospel with the Last Supper, picking up the arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection when we conclude with the Gospel of St. John.
Mark understands the Last Supper to have been a Passover meal. We are going to focus on two aspects of this meal - the awareness of the Lamb, and the power of covenant as Jewish Christians came to understand the implications of this supper with the Lord.
Mark 14: 17When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me." 19They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?"
When the people of Israel sacrificed the lamb for their Passover Meal, the animal was not only innocent; it was unaware. The people understood the implications of the blood on their doorpost (See Exodus 12:21-23). In the case of Jesus, the "Lamb" - he was aware of what was about to happen, but the disciples were not. Note the contrast later in the chapter when Jesus tells them they will all fall away on account of me ... - Peter jumps up to defend himself. There seems to be a certitude, at least for Peter, that he would never do such a thing. But where is that certitude when Jesus speaks of his betrayer? Surely not I? The fact they were saddened suggests that none of them could be sure they were not the "betrayer".
This is quite the turn-around from the Passover! In the case of the Christian moment of salvation and liberation, the "lamb" is the only one who knows what is happening. The people have to figure it out later.
In some ways, this begs the nature of the "covenant" Christ proclaims later in the meal ...
Mark 14: 24"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25"I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."
"Covenant" is the language of relationship between Israel and God. It is the agreement that puts in place the law, God's care for the people, God's special relationship with Israel as "chosen". This is explicitly relational language Jesus uses, suggesting that, even though he is the only one who "gets it" now, the fact is that what he is about to do affects everyone. The "many" in verse 24 should be understood, according to Donahue and Harrington, as inclusive. In English it can suggest the inclusion of some but not all; in Aramaic and Hebrew the word insinuates an impact on people regardless of their awareness.
And so - we are left with the question: Do we get it? Have we "gotten it?" As we hear the covenant language of "blood poured out for many", what difference does it make?
There are many other aspects of this text that demand attention. We will stop here. And now we move to the Gospel of Luke.
posted by Mark D at 4:16 PM
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