True Faith

Mark 14:12–26

12On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

17When it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?” 20He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. 21For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”

22While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

26When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Historical Context

Jesus’ last supper was a Passover meal, a meal that commemorated God’s liberation of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. More than any other event, this liberation defined the people’s covenant with God. Their God was a liberating God, and they were God’s freed people. This was the case chiefly by virtue of God’s faithfulness to their ancestors Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Jacob. Faithfulness and liberation go hand in hand.

Theme: True Faith

During the Passover meal Jesus makes an unbelievable announcement. In announcing His betrayal Jesus again demonstrates that nothing can thwart His plan. By making this announcement at this meal Jesus highlights the close fellowship He shared with the one who would betray Him (Psalm 41:8-13). While this kind of betrayal seems shocking to us, Jesus is not surprised. He continues walking in full knowledge and complete control of the situation.

This is a paradox that the Scriptures leave unresolved. God planned and used the betrayal of Jesus and yet Judas acted according to His will and is held responsible. God is always sovereign and people are always responsible.

Every believer should consider the betrayal of Jesus as a warning. Proximity and familiarity with Christ are not the same as true faith.