- Ezra Institute - https://www.ezrainstitute.com -

At the Lord’s Table

Christians are called to work for the kingdom and to pursue a life of watching in contemplation and prayer.

Scripture: Mark 14:1-26

Sermon Notes:

  1. Jesus is coming to be rejected and killed according to what was foretold in the Psalms and by the prophets Isaiah and Malachi.
  2. Jesus announces that He is the One who will come in judgment bringing utter destruction upon Jerusalem.
  3. Christians are called to work for the kingdom and to pursue a life of watching in contemplation and prayer.
  4. Especially in the Psalms we see contemplation and meditation upon God’s Word and upon God’s presence in the temple.
  5. As Jesus decrees the temple’s destruction, so the focus of contemplation switches to Jesus Himself.
  6. In the Passover meal, God’s people are watching for the presence and deliverance of God.
  7. The presence of Christ is both a comfort and a terror to us, because he both blesses faithfulness and judges sin.
  8. The woman anointed the Lord’s head and gave all her ointment, but the disciples viewed this as wasteful. Jesus corrects the disciples, saying her action was a beautiful service to her Lord.
  9. People who pray and contemplate the beauty of the Lord will do beautiful things for Him.
  10. The Lord knows what she has done. Our aim should be to please the Lord, not our peers.
  11. The Lord is pleased, calling her service beautiful. It was also prophetic in anointing Jesus’ body for burial.
  12. Don’t underestimate the way God can use simple acts of obedience. The Lord blesses our actions and uses them for His purposes.
  13. While the other disciples were confused, Judas is totally blind to the Lord’s person and purpose.
  14. At first Judas wouldn’t repent of his rebellion; eventually he couldn’t.
  15. Sins of unrepentance become a chain leading us to spiritual death.
  16. The Passover is a night of the Lord watching over His people, as well as a night of contemplation to the Lord.
  17. Every week, as we participate in the Lord’s supper, Jesus says “I am with you.”
  18. In the breaking of the bread we have the weekly assurance that the Lord is with us to the end of the age. In the shedding of blood Jesus offers His violent death for many (Isa. 53:12).
  19. Jesus pours our His blood and intercedes for our transgressions; He bears our sins.
  20. Our advocate says I am for you, I will speak for you (Ro. 8:34; 1 Jn. 2:2; Heb. 7:25).

Application Questions:

  1. What is the significance of watchfulness, contemplation and meditation in the Christian life?
  2. Why did Daniel look toward the temple when he prayed?
  3. Identify parallels between Mark 14 and Isaiah 53.
  4. What is the Lord’s response to humble acts of sincere obedience?
  5. Are we acting like the piety police, criticizing the service of others to the Lord?
  6. How should we discipline our lives to include more watching and prayer?