8-28-19 Today in the Word

Servant Discipleship: The Gospel of Mark
PREPARING FOR PASSOVER
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 | Mark 14:1-21

As the most anticipated movie of 2019, Marvel’s Avengers: Endgamebroke the international opening weekend gross record, making $859 million. Building up to the event, potential viewers were encouraged to re-watch the entire 20+ movies in the Marvel series leading up toEndgame. For many, the pre-viewing measures helped make the waiting for the movie worth all its surrounding hype.
In Mark’s narrative, multiple preparations were under way for the Passover, all of them associated with Jesus. Some of these actions were horribly wrong and went against the central meaning of Passover. Others were perceptively right and honored the event. Wrongly, the chief priests and scribes worked to remove Jesus from the Passover celebration. Their actions were especially self-condemning since they knew what the Law taught about murder and what the Old Testament taught about treating the righteous as evil.
Equally wrongly, Judas entered a plot to betray Jesus. The wayward disciple was guided by his desire for money rather than the remembrance of God’s mercy as commemorated by the Passover.
Rightly, however, a woman unidentified by Mark anointed Jesus for burial with costly pure nard or perfume, recognizing Him as her High Priest (Ex. 29:7). She had eyes to see Jesus’ coming death and burial, and associated it with Passover. This woman prepared for the feast by worshiping Jesus, recognizing her need for His mediation. Similarly, the disciples obediently prepared the place to share the Passover feast with Jesus.
The way we prepare to participate in the Lord’s Supper—the event memorializing Jesus’ death for us—can help us gain more from the celebration. Our preparations of worship and obedience appropriately honor Jesus and remember His sacrifice.
APPLY THE WORD
Does your church participate in the Lord’s Supper, also known as the Communion Table? If you know the date ahead of time, set aside time to prepare your heart for worship. Reread passages that mention the Lord’s Supper in the Gospels, reflect on the meaning of Christ’s death on your behalf, and ask the Lord to cleanse you of sin.
PRAY WITH US
Thank God for the lesson we’ve learned from today’s reading. May we remember Jesus as the Passover Lamb, thank Him for His sacrifice on our behalf, and honor Him as Lord. May we worship Him in Spirit and in truth!

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