Latest / Teachings On This Day On FerventWord / On Jun 21, 2023: Mark 14:1-26 Let Communion Remind You
Transcript
- Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:00:00]: Well, as we look at Mark Chapter 14, I have titled the message, let communion remind you. Let communion remind you. This is the passage here in Mark, where Jesus institutes what we call communion. Now, it wasn't communion for Jesus and his disciples. It was Passover. They were celebrating Passover together and In the Passover meal, Jesus made something new out of it and gave this instruction for the bread and the cup and instituted this communion that we partake in. And as we look at the different portions where this takes place, Of course, it's recorded at Matthew and Luke as well, as well as the Apostle Paul addresses it in First Corinthians. And we find as we kind of group group all those together, the Lord giving mostly the same instruction. But one of the things he says, is to do this in remembrance of me. Not recorded here in Mark, but it is recorded in this same account in the various passages that Jesus said, do this, do this, and as often as you do it, do it, to remember me, to remember what I've done for you, to remember my work for you. And and as we think about the reminder that communion is, of course, we immediately go to the cross. We think about the body being broken, the blood being shed. We think about the forgiveness of sins But as we work our way through March chapter 14 this evening, we want to remember that and remember those things, but also to consider some of the other things that we can be reminded of and are really important for us to keep fresh in our minds, keep fresh in our hearts, as we consider and call our minds back to what Jesus has done for us. And so, we're gonna walk through 5 things to Remember, as we think about Jesus and the cross, 5 things to help us to keep those things to keep our heart set on what Christ has done for us. And so we're gonna start in verses 12 for point number 1 tonight, and that is God's will always overrides all others. When you remember the cross and remember Jesus and think of the bread representing his body being broken, think of the cut, representing his blood being shed. Also, remember, The declaration, once and for all, God declaring my will will prevail. My purposes will stand above all others. We can see this demonstrated here in verse 1 and 2. Let's read that. It says, after 2 days, it was the Passover. and the feast of unleavened bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by trickery and put him to death. But they said not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people. Here, we're looking at the life of Jesus in the final days leading up to the cross. He's about to be crucified in 2 days. In 2 days, it's going to be the Passover. And as Jesus' doing ministry. He's there in Jerusalem. We gather from the accounts of this final week that Jesus is staying in Bethany. It's Across the Valley on the the Mount of Olives. He is staying there in Bethany in the evenings and then walking over to Jerusalem in the morning, spending the day in Jerusalem, ministering, and then he'd go back to Bethany to spend the evenings. He's going back and forth all week, doing different things and you can walk through the the passion week, of course, with Jesus. This is part of that. The final days Jesus is, they're in Jerusalem with thousands of other people, maybe even a couple 100,000 people, many would estimate that normally Jerusalem might inhabit about 50,000 people or have about 50,000 people staying around Jerusalem. But during the Passover feast, it would swell because the Passover feast was one of the 3 required feasts of the year that the Jewish people were called to participate in. And they would all travel to Jerusalem. It wasn't just that he participate in Passover, but come to Jerusalem for the Passover, come to the Temple for the Passover. And so those who were celebrating Passover, they would all journey to Jerusalem And so it would be packed. It would be crazy. It would be hectic. And Jesus is their ministering. Meanwhile, the religious leaders are becoming more and more frustrated, more and more upset and their intent on putting him to death. And notice in verse 1, it says, by trickery. They don't care how they have to do it, whatever trap they can spring. However, they can get their will accomplished. They're willing to violate their conscience. They're willing to compromise their values. They're they're willing to do whatever it takes. to get rid of this guy who's challenged them so much. But they have a problem In that, Jerusalem is full. There is so many people around. And so in verse 2, it tells us as they're frustrated and seeking to kill Jesus, they're they're being strategic and saying, but not during the feast. We wanna just like, you know, fly off the rails and go crazy, but but we need to control ourselves a little bit. We need to contain ourselves lest there be an uproar of the people. They were concerned about how the people would respond if they did what they wanted to do in putting Jesus to death. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:06:05]: They were afraid of the people. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:06:08]: And, you know, perhaps with Good reason. There were previous instances of riots and uproars among the people and in their recent history, crowds can be quite volatile. But also, the religious leaders had a real fear of the people You might remember a few chapters earlier in Mark Chapter 11, when the religious leaders are questioning Jesus. Jesus says, well, I'll answer your question, but First answer my question. The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men? You tell me that, and then I'll answer you the where, you know, the place I get my authority from. And it details for us there. Mark chapter 11 verse 31, that they reason together And they they realize that Jesus has been trapped because if we say that John's baptism was from heaven, then Well, we didn't follow John. We didn't take heed to John and receive that message. And so Jesus will be able to easily corner us and say, well, why didn't you believe him? But then, the other side of it is they're wrestling together, but if we say that John the Baptist and his baptism was not from God that it was from men. It tells us that they feared the people because they all counted John to be a prophet. So we can't say that his baptism was from God. We can't say it was from men because they feared the people and how they would react to what they really thought, to what they, you know, wanted to say. And so in a similar way here, they're measuring themselves or controlling themselves or holding themselves back. We hate Jesus. We want him dead desperately, and it doesn't matter what it takes. It doesn't matter what it costs. It doesn't matter what type of methods we have to use, but not during the feast. We don't want Jesus to die during the feast. because it might stir up a riot, an uproar of the people. And so the will of the religious leaders is clear here. They want Jesus' dead, but they don't want him Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:08:20]: to be put to death during the feast. But what we see as we work our way through the chapter Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:08:32]: They were partially in line with the will of God. Jesus did come to die. He was going to be put to death, handed over by the religious leaders to the Romans to be crucified. They were in line, not for the right reasons, but they were in line with the will of God in that. But where they were out of line was well, the father had planned. The father had designed. His will was for Jesus to die Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:09:03]: at Passover. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:09:05]: It calls back to Exodus chapter 12 when the Lord instituted passover with the children of Israel in captivity at Egypt Passover, and then it was the Passover was the the one day thing and then the feast of unleavened bread immediately followed for the 7 day feast. And and it it was designed by the Lord to help his people remember their deliverance. This was the 10th plague that the Lord brought upon Egypt as the children of Israel were in captivity, the plague of the first born. And they would take the blood of the sacrifice and put it on their door post following the instruction of the Lord, and then God said, then the angel of death will pass over your home, whoever is inside is protected, the firstborn will not be killed And so this was the final plague against Egypt, but the Lord protected them and preserved them by giving them instruction to follow and trusting God that this obedience would lead to their deliverance. And then after it took place, and that plague is striking Egypt and all of the Hebrews who believed the Lord and followed his instructions were saved, then the Lord said, okay, now always do this. Celebrate Passover. This feast will help you remember. And they would have things related to Passover that would help them to do that. There was, you know, their traditions where the youngest one at the table with ask, hey, what does all this mean? And then the oldest man at the table would tell the story and and make sure that they relived and remembered and held onto the deliverance that God had brought in the work that God had done. And it wasn't just a callback to that work that God commended this feast to be celebrated every year, but it was also a call forward to The true Passover lamb, the final Passover lamb, Jesus, who would die upon the cross to deliver all people who will believe in him. Follow his instruction and apply the blood to the threshold and say yes. I am following the lord. I'm following his instruction. I'm receiving his protection and the deliverance that he has promised. And so, Passover, represents the work that God has done for the nation of Israel, but it also pointed to Jesus. So the lord had planned for. The father had designed this feast from the very beginning to be a foreshadowing of the crucifixion of Jesus, even the striking the doorposts when you kinda do the motions striking the top, and then from the side to side, the idea of the splatter of blood paints the picture of the cross. The Lord had intended this from the beginning. That was his will. And so now we have a clash. The religious leaders want something different than what the lord wants and what the lord has planned. Who's gonna win? When we read through the account, we know. Jesus was crucified on Passover. He was put to death, exactly when God wanted, fulfilling that type, that foreshadow that God had painted, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:12:41]: and reminding us, God's will always overrides all others. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:12:49]: His purposes always prevail. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:12:52]: When we partake of communion, I think it would serve us well to reflect on this. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:13:00]: As we wrestle with enemies of God trying to stop God's plans. As we look at society, as we look at culture, as we look at politics, as we look at media, and we can be frustrated about the overt attempts to defeat the truth of god, the morality that god has established, the the things that God has declared, as we see those deliberate efforts to contradict and cast down the things of God, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:13:31]: When we partake of communion, when we reflect on the cross, we we can also remember God's will is going to override. It doesn't matter what they want and how hard they try and how much the attempt The religious leaders were not able to prevent the will of god from unfolding here. They weren't able. He was crucified. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:13:57]: during the Passover, exactly when they didn't want. This is how the enemies of God have always worked, trying to stop God's plan. When Jesus was born, Satan tried to kill Jesus as a baby through king Harrod, didn't work. Tried real real hard. Used a lot of caused a lot of pain, sorrow, but didn't work. He cannot override the will of God, the plan of God. Going back further, you can look at Satan using his instrument, Hammond, to try to kill all of the Jews and all of Persia, didn't work. can't defeat the will of god, the plan of god. So much so that the Lord says in March chapter 13, the previous chapter, hey, there's gonna be trials. You're Following me, you're gonna be called to courts. You're gonna be arrested, but don't worry beforehand. or premeditate what you will speak. Don't even worry about what you're gonna say even under those life threatening circumstances. because god's will always gonna provide. And if it's god's will for you to go home to be with him, then you're gonna go to home to be with him. But you don't have to stress about that. You don't have to worry about that. It's in his hands, not in your hands. In John chapter 16, as Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure, He reminds them of some of the struggles and things that they're going to face. And he says, these things I've spoken to you, that in me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. The world's will will not prevail. The Lord's will will prevail. Whatever the enemy plans against you and plots against you, God's will always overrides all other Whatever evil wicked person, you know, in your workplace or in your neighborhood or in your family is, you know, coming against you and desires to destroy you, God's will always over rides, all others. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:16:04]: And so you can hold the bread and the cup and remember, his plans will prevail. You're in good hands because of the cross, because of what Christ has done, and it's demonstrated God's ability to accomplish his purposes no matter what anybody else has to say about it. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:16:23]: Well, moving on to Versus 339, we get the second point this morning or this evening. What you do for Jesus has enduring Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:16:32]: value. Here we get an incredible account of a woman We're shipping Jesus in a very expensive and powerful way. What you do for Jesus has enduring value. Let's read verses 3 through 6. It says, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:16:47]: And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask a very costly oil of spike nerve. Then she broke the flask and poured it on his head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves and said, why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than 300 Denari and given to the poor, and they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me. There is a little bit of discussion that can be had about this event, not going to get into it really or try to resolve it. But just to mention it, this might be one event that is parallel to the same exact event recorded in John Chapter 12, where Mary, the brother of the sister of Lazarus, annoyance Jesus with oil. The difficulty there is the timing of it and so there's questions about whether it's the same event or whether there's 2 events or whether the records of Mark and Matthew are not necessarily in chronological order, and so that's why appears here instead of the more accurate place in John Chapter 12, some might say. So it might be one event or maybe a similar event happened and so it kind of happened twice. in that final week leading up to the cross. You can look at all the passages if you want to, Matthew, Mark, as well as John and compare those in come to your own conclusions. But in this event, there is this woman who comes to annoyed the feet of Jesus. And for Matthew and Mark, they leave her anonymous. It's not mentioned specifically that it is Mary, but we do know that Mary lived in Bethany, and so she would have been nearby. And so John chapter 12, mentioning Mary specifically, perhaps it was her. Jesus is in Bethany. He's at the house of Simon the leper. Probably a leper who had been healed by the lord, but kind of retained the name. He was known as Simon The Lepper, although he had been healed by the Lord, and they're having dinner. But as they do, this woman comes with and alabaster flask a very costly oil. And she breaks it and she pours it on the head of Jesus. Now Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:19:25]: going to a perfume store, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:19:28]: maybe those have a real name. I don't know what they might be called. But going to the perfume section in a department store or something, right, that's not typically how we apply perfume or oil today. But it was custom customary for them. It was normal for them, and it was a beautiful thing. It was a a thing that was done and enjoyed and celebrated. It was something really incredible to do for someone. And so, she blesses Jesus greatly in this way. Now, if you pour over some, I can't think of any cooking oils, but some olive oil or some vegetable oil or some canola or, I don't know, whatever. If you you know, that like, that's not a pleasant thing. Right? But this is a a perfume. It's something that is just an act of love and adoration and worship and a beautiful thing that this woman has done. And so we might have our own kind of reactions to it based on our culture. But in their culture, typically this would been something that people would have just smiled at and enjoyed. The fragrance would fill the whole room. It like, yes, we want to honor this person and take in, you know, what is happening here. But as we look at this account, we see that that is not how everybody really responded. It tells us that there were some who were indignant. They were upset. They were frustrated. They were angry over this. This act of love, this act of aberration unto the Lord, stirred up some very sharp feelings of anger for some of them. And they said, why was this fragrant oil wasted? What a waste? to pour out that expensive oil on Jesus in that way. And they had some logical arguments to support their anger and their upsetness. this could have been sold and given to the poor. You know how many people we could have fed with that one bottle of perfume? and they criticized her sharply, it says. Now, we learned from John's account in John Chapter 12, if it's the same account or if not it's very similar. We learned that it was Judas who kind of led the way in this. It wasn't Judas all by himself, but it seems like he started it and stirred up the anger in other disciples. He instigated it and said, hey. Why this waste? And some of the other disciples said, yeah, you're right. That's a very good point. Judas, very logical. You're right. We could have been way more efficient. We could have done things in a much better way to accomplish some greater things. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:22:39]: and they criticized her sharply, because it could have been sold for more than 300 denari. Now, Denari was one day's wage for the normal labor. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:22:53]: So if you go up the road here to McDonald's, you get a job, you start making $17 an hour, 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, $35,000 we can kind of do some rough equivalents with that. Can you imagine breaking open a bottle of something worth $35,000 and using it all at once Can you compare that to well, if I had $35,000, how many meals could I give to the poor? Well, if you stick at McDonald's, not that many because the prices keep going up. Right? So you might have to use that money elsewhere to make it last longer, but you get the point. That could go a long way in helping a lot of people. Why would you pour $35,000 down the drain when you can give it and provide so much for so many people. And this is the point that Jesus is making. And it's not so surprising that Judas makes this point. But you know, it's kind of surprising the other disciples jump in. and they criticize her sharply. Listen, I want you to think about that because There is always criticism Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:24:12]: about what people do for God. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:24:16]: This is not just an experience that happened there on this day with the Lord and his disciples. But within the church, there is very often this kind of anger, this kind of indignation over things that other people are doing for the lord. And we don't like how they're doing it. We don't like what they're doing. We don't like a lot of things, and so we get angry. And Sometimes it's other people who are seriously anger and string us up and saying, yeah. You know what? You're right. Like, why is that? And Why do they do that? And how come they don't do it this other way? And why don't they do ministry like we do? And we can become part of that angry crowd criticizing sharply somebody else who is doing something for the lord. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:25:12]: But even worse is sometimes we are the ones playing the part of Judas and stirring up others. Let me tell you why. what they do, they shouldn't do and why our way is better and why I would, you know, handle it a different way. And we're using pretty strong arguments, committing other people and getting other people on our bandwagon to criticize sharply others who are serving the lord. There's the telling of a situation with Neil Moody, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:25:48]: where a woman came up to him and said, I don't like the way that you share the gospel. And Deal Moody's response was, you know, I don't actually care for it that much myself. I'm trying to get better. How do you share the gospel? Maybe I can learn from you. And she said, well, I I don't actually really have opportunity. I don't really share the gospel. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:26:08]: And so then he said, well, I'd rather Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:26:11]: share the gospel the way that I do, then not do it at all. And sometimes, we need to watch out that we have criticisms Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:26:23]: About others, now There is, of course, the place for inspecting fruit. There is the place of evaluating the scriptures and we're not talking about going against the clear scriptures, but we don't have to talk about that to eliminate this full issue. There's a lot of indignation and criticism over things that really we don't have to be worried about. We don't need to be upset about. We don't need to criticize about. and we're in the wrong many times if we have that heart. Paul tells us in Romans chapter 14. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:27:03]: Talking about liberties in Christ, one believes he may eat all things, but one who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat. Let not him who eats despise or judge him who eats for God has received him. Who are you to judge another servant? Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:27:19]: To his own master, he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand for God is able to make him stand. we need to remember Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:27:28]: other people are God's servants. And there's a lot of freedom that God provides Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:27:32]: for a lot of people to do different things for the Lord to respond to the Lord in their own way to serve him in variety of ways. And and the amazing thing here Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:27:43]: is Jesus comes to her defense, check it out in verse 6 and 7. But Jesus said, let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me, for the poor you have with you always. And whenever you wish, you may do them good, but me, you do not have always. Jesus comes to our aid He comes to her defense. Let her alone. You guys are angry. You're criticizing. You're out of line. She has done a good work. Jesus weighs in about this situation, this issue. Yes. $35,000 could feed a lot of 4. But she has done a good work. And, yes, there's always poor to feed, but the timing of this I'm not always with you. It's worthwhile. It's beneficial. Certain opportunities are valuable for their timing. Certain opportunities are valuable for other reasons than what else it could have been used for. Now I think I don't know if you're like me, but I I tend to think of efficiencies and things like that. Like, how can we make this last longer? Okay. Maybe we don't sell it and give it to the poor. Maybe we sell it and buy a bunch of less expensive perfumes. And then we can do this many more times. You know, it's not all at once. Don't drain the $35,000 in 1 worship service. But, you know, what if we drain the $35,000 over a 100 worship service like wouldn't that be great? Like, you know, let's be more efficient. Sometimes can be the way that my mind begins to operate. Sometimes there's opportunities that the Lord sets before us and ways that he provides for us to worship him and to serve him, that just costs us $35,000 in one go. And it's a good work. And yet, we could argue all kinds of different ways to do it in different ways for those resources to be used or to go about the ministry that that the service ends of the Lord that we're trying to Yes. There's always going to be other ideas about what we could have done differently or better. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:29:54]: But what really matters here is, what does the Lord say? The Lord says, she has done a good work. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:30:02]: He explains more in verse 8. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burial. It's very possible this woman has really better hearing than the disciples, as Jesus has been talking about his death that is upcoming, she's heard that, not knowing the plan, not knowing how it's gonna happen, not knowing it's gonna happen at Passover. She doesn't know all that. But but she does know the Lord's been saying three times over the past few weeks, he's been saying, I'm gonna be put to death. I'm gonna be crucified. And it could be, very likely, I would suggest that she's responding to that. Jesus says here, she has come beforehand to anoint my body for burial. The normal thing to do would be anoint a body after the person has died. and they would anoint the body that same day and then bury the body. But not knowing those details, just knowing Jesus said he's gonna die, she comes beforehand. don't know if I'm gonna be there. I don't know if I'll have the opportunity to anoint him at the time. So I'm gonna do this now. I believe Jesus. I believe what he said. He deserves to have his body anointed. If it cost me $35,000, that's what this is for for the anointing of bodies or some special occasion like that. And so she does it beforehand, Jesus says, which seems to indicate she She had some insight into what she was doing. But even if she didn't, and she was just responding to a prompting on her heart, desiring to do something for the Lord, and this is the idea that she came up with. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:31:42]: Either way, Jesus says, it's a good work. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:31:47]: Later on, in March chapter 16, when Jesus is in the tomb on Sunday morning and the ladies go, to anoint the body of Jesus? That that was the normal thing. They didn't get to do it on The crucifixion, when Jesus is taken down, they didn't have time to prepare the body the normally the way they normally would. So they were gonna go a couple days later and do that. That's when this would often be done, and nobody would bat an eye at breaking a bottle of $35,000 Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:32:17]: perfume. anoint the body like that. That was what you did for someone you loved. No problem. But now, because it was beforehand, the disciples are upset But Jesus says, no. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:32:29]: It's a good work. So good, verse 9. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will all be told as a memorial Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:32:39]: to her. Jesus says, I want this to be remembered Write this down in the record books, and wherever the gospel is preached, make sure you revisit this, and appreciate what this woman has done for me. She listened to me. She heard what I said. She responded to the prompting in her heart. She wasn't concerned about the cause. She was going to do whatever it took to worship the Lord. to honor the Lord, even if it was a great sacrifice, even if it was using resources that could have been used in other ways, even if other people disagreed, and there was lots of criticism, doesn't matter. Jesus says, woman, what you've done for me has enduring value I want everybody who hears the gospel to hear about this. Think about that. Everybody who hears the gospel should hear about what this woman has done for Jesus. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:33:40]: He values the service. He values the gift, the sacrifice, the honor, the worship that was given. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:33:50]: The Lord's very clear about that. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:33:53]: The things that we do, now they don't always have to be $35,000 things. Right? In Mark chapter 9, earlier, Jesus said, whoever gives a cup of water to a to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Even the simple things are valuable Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:34:12]: and will be rewarded What you do for Jesus has enduring value. And so, just because people disagree or get upset, Don't think necessarily that's how the Lord feels about it. You honor the Lord. He he says, that's a good thing. has enduring value. You won't lose your reward. It'll be recorded for all time. Well, verses 10 through 21 gives us point number 3, as we continue on here in March chapter 14, surprising people will betray Jesus. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:34:48]: Verse 10 says, then Judah is scary at 1 of the 12, went to the chief priests to betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money So he sought how he might conveniently betray him. We started the chapter with the religious leaders wanting to crucify Jesus, wanting to put him to death, but not wanting to do it during the feast. They're afraid of the crowd. But now, Judith comes, and this is an interesting opportunity. They're willing to let me rethink about this now because Judis, one of the guys on the inside, he can help us accomplish this maybe without a scene. maybe behind the scenes, maybe with the crowd not really realizing or finding out. He's on the inside. He knows where Jesus is gonna be. And so maybe we can use him as a spy on the inside to know in advance so that we don't risk and uprising from the crowd. And so they negotiated. Judas, heard a number he liked, said, okay, I'm gonna seek how I might conveniently betray Jesus, a good opportunity to turn him over to you, when nobody else is around when the crowds won't find out. Well, we are going to skip over versus 12 through 17 for now and come back to that in the next point. But then, verse 18, Now as they sat and eat, Jesus said assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with me will betray me. And they began to be sorrowful and deceit to him one by one. Is it I? And another said, is it I? We're jumping forward now to the Passover dinner Jesus is at the meal with his disciples. And while they're eating, John Chapter 13, the the record of the washing of the feet. That's happened just a few moments prior. And then while they're engaged in the meal, Judas is there with the rest of the disciples, and Jesus announces, one of you who eats with me will betray me. Judas went and negotiated in secret, but Jesus knew the secrets of his heart. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:36:56]: One of you will betray me. But the disciples, they didn't have as much insight as Jesus. And so they were sorrowful. What? One of us, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:37:08]: we're gonna betray what? And and it began to go down the line. Is it I? Is it I? Am I the one who will betray you? Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:37:21]: Pastor Thomas Consible talking about this says, their question was a profession of innocence, but with a tinge of self distrust. It expected a negative answer, but it was a question. Judas' motive in asking was obviously different. from the others. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:37:41]: You think about that? Peter says, is it I expecting a no? There's a there's a innocence there, but also a distrust. Like, I hope it's not me. It's not me. You're not talking about me. Right? John said, is it I? Then it comes to Judith. And Judith is like, I better fit into the group here. He knows He's just made the deal a few hours before. Let me try to put on the same tone. Is it I? Couldn't be me. Right, lord? Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:38:18]: Jesus said in verse 20. He answered and said to them, it's 1 of the 12 who dips with me in the dish. It's one of you guys, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:38:28]: right there within the midst. Jesus didn't say that, and then everybody said, I knew it, Judas. He's always kinda been on the outskirts. You know, he's never really fit in. The disciples completely surprised that any of them would betray Jesus. They had no idea who it was. And when it actually happens, they are shocked. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:38:56]: something to remember. It was on this night that Jesus instituted communion. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:39:02]: You know, sometimes we experienced the same thing. We are shocked Because someone walks away from the Lord, someone goes against the Lord, someone who is one of us. We're like, but we we've done ministry together. We've walked together. We worshiped together. We've loved the Lord together. And Like, how and it's unfathomable to us. How could it be? Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:39:27]: Sometimes it's quite unsettling for us. How could that be? But it's always been. Surprising people will betray Jesus. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:39:41]: And part of it is good to remember for our sake so that we ask, is it I? Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:39:47]: As I come back to the communion table, I hold the bread, I hold the cup, and I say, well, I I know. There's there's those who look right, they sound right? They perhaps are even convinced their rights Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:40:00]: until the final point where they make that decision to go wrong. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:40:04]: And Lord, I don't wanna be that. I wanna receive your work and be transformed by you. I don't be one I wanna be one that surprises others. And also, I wanna understand that that's going to happen that people will depart. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:40:21]: The Apostle John tells us in first John chapter 2. You've heard it said, the Antichrist is coming. Even now many Antichrists have come, By which we know it's the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us. What is he talking about? He's talking about people in church who went out. who went the other way, and everyone around them was surprised. Can't believe. They walked away from the Lord. They've turned against the Lord. So surprising. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:40:49]: It is a reality of what we face. It's a reality of our hearts. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:40:54]: Verse 21. The son of man indeed goes just as it was written of him. but woe to that man by whom the son of man has betrayed, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:41:01]: it would have been good for that man if he had never been born. Jesus says, it's gonna happen. This is part of Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:41:08]: Life, it's part of the issue of sin. So for you disciples, it's gonna happen. Don't worry about it. God's got it still under control. His will is going to prevail? Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:41:23]: But for the person who does depart, woah woah to that person. It would have been better if they had never been born. That's a pretty heavy statement. To be better to have never been born, That really speaks to the eternality of judgment, doesn't it? If their life was just over and judgment was once done, gone, they had no existence after that. maybe you couldn't make that statement, but better to have never been born, that's real judgment, eternal that Jesus is referencing there. Surprising people will betray Jesus. It hurts our heart, but let's be aware. It's been happening from the beginning. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:42:11]: And we can't prevent it from happening. We stop it from happening. We can't, you know, catch all of these things. What we can do Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:42:19]: is hold the bread and cup and say, is I? But I don't want it to be me, and so we come to the lord with humility and confession. Well, point number 4, looking at verses 12 through 17, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:42:32]: Jesus has prepared more than you know, something good to think about, as you come to the communion table, you hold the bread, you hold the cup, understand in your life and all the things that are going on, Jesus has prepared well beyond what you are aware of. Check out these verses verse 12 says. Now on the 1st day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciple said to him, where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover? And he sent out 2 of his disciples and said to them, go into the city and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water follow him. Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, the teacher says, where is the guest room in which I may eat the passover with my disciples? then he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared, there, make ready for us. So as disciples went out, came into the city and found it just as he said to them, and they prepared the Passover. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:43:33]: In the evening, he came with Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:43:36]: 12. This is really amazing. What takes place here is pretty interesting because it's the day that they kill the Passover now, the day that they kill the Passover lamb. And the disciples say, hey, where do you want to go and prepare Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:43:56]: to eat the Passover. Now, this is not like us. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:44:00]: It's pretty typical on a Wednesday evening after service. I shoot Kim a message, hey, you want me to bring home some food? We don't have to prepare ahead of time, We can just think of it right then. Hey. What do you wanna eat for dinner tonight? We can do that anytime we want to, and we tend to wait until it's time to eat and we're hungry, just try to figure out what the food is gonna be, which isn't always a good plan. Right? But for Passover, this is like Can you imagine on the day of thanksgiving, looking at your spouse and saying, what do you want to do for thanksgiving today? Like, no. For Thanksgiving, you've planned ahead. You've coordinated with different family members, and different people are preparing different things, and we're gonna show up at this time and, you know, there's all this arrangement to be made. It's the Passover. And the disciples are looking at each other and saying, he ever going to tell us where we're going to have Passover? They had no clue. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:45:01]: But Jesus knew, as you can see by the instructions he's about to give. They say, Jesus, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:45:09]: I mean, today is the day. It's Passover. Where do you want it? What are we gonna do for Passover? And she said, okay. I'm gonna pick 2 of you guys. I begin to imagine this a little bit like, you know, secret agents, mission impossible, It's like some kind of crazy quest that they have to go on. K. Go into the city. You're gonna see a guy carrying a picture of water. Follow that guy. Okay? And wherever he goes, he's gonna go into a house, find the master of that house, And given this message, the teacher says, where's the guest room where I meet the Passover with my disciples. And that Master of the house will show you a large upper room that's furnished and prepared already. And so there you can prepare the food for us. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:46:04]: Why this method? Well, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:46:08]: one perhaps thing that God is doing is hiding it from Judas. What's Judas doing? He's looking for a chance to betray Jesus. If the date and time and place are all known, Well, it might be a trap. So Jesus maybe holds the cards kinda close to his chest. Okay. I know exactly where we're gonna pass over, and nobody else knows. Peter and John, he's Picks them. Luke 228 tells us. Peter, John, hey, guys, come here. Okay. Follow this code. Follow these obscure instructions. Make sure you're not followed, you know, in this. And you'll find there, this room, it's already prepared Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:46:46]: And so there you can make ready for us. The Lord's made the arrangements. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:46:51]: We have no idea how the Lord's made the arrangements. Did Jesus actually talk to this guy? Or was this just a work of the father working on Jesus' behalf? And he's like, I don't know why I'm preparing a room for Passover. this week because I don't have a bunch of friends to invite over for Passover. But the honey, get the guest room ready for at least thirteen people to have Passover together. Why? I don't know. I just feel like God wants me to do that. Maybe that's what happened. Or maybe Jesus talked to him in advance. We don't know. much like the donkey on the triumphal entry. Right? Hey. The master needs the donkey. Is there prepared? Okay. Yeah. That's why it's there for the master. Did Jesus arrange that? Did the Holy Spirit arrange that? We don't know. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:47:38]: That's always true. Jesus has prepared more than you know. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:47:44]: And you can be worried where are we going to eat? What's gonna happen? You can be stressed out. Listen, if you don't plan for thanksgiving. It's a day of, you might be quite stressed out. Right? There are things that we're stressed out about, freaked out about, wrestling with, concerned about, why isn't the Lord showing us what we're gonna do yet? It doesn't mean that nothing has been prepared. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:48:05]: It just means that He hasn't given us the instruction yet. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:48:10]: Verse 16, the disciples went out, came to the city, and found it just as he said to them. What? Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:48:17]: It was all prepared, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:48:20]: so they prepared the Passover, and then in the evening, he, Jesus, came with the 12. So Judas didn't know where they're having Passover till Jesus showed up with them. Potentially, you know, Jesus didn't need to necessarily approach it that way, but that's an Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:48:36]: possible idea why he did it this way. He might have had other reasons. It might have been a multitude of reasons. But regardless, when God is working our lives, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:48:47]: we can trust. We can hold the bread in the cup, and we can think about what Jesus did, the communion and the Passover meal that he had with his disciples, and we can remember. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:48:57]: Yeah. Those things I'm stressed about, I'm worried about. I don't know how it's all gonna come together. The Lord's working behind the scenes. There's things he has set in place that I cannot see. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:49:09]: Paul tells us in Ephesians 210, we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. he's got our life prepared beforehand. And our responsibility is to walk in them. To follow the instruction, he says, okay. Go follow the sky with a jar in his head, go down the road, make a left, third right on the other side, you know, When he gives us the instruction, then our job is to follow the instruction. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:49:39]: Trusting that. God's prepared beforehand. He has things set up. He knows he's doing and how to work us through this life and the things that he wants to do for our good. So let communion remind you. Jesus has prepared more than you know. He's got your life figured out. He knows what's best for you. and he's gonna give you the instruction that you need when you need it. Notice the disciples asked, though. Lord, where are we gonna partake of Passover. We need to ask. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:50:14]: We need to not run ahead of the Lord and make our own preparations. Lord, you didn't prepare Passover. So I Talk to a friend. I called up and got a deal. We got a turkey for half off, and, you know, we're gonna make it happen. Don't don't run ahead of the lord. But ask the Lord, let him give you the instruction and then follow that. He's always prepared more than you are. Well, finally, point number 5 verses 22 through 26. The work of Jesus covers time and eternity verse 22, as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed, and broke it, gave it to them and said, take, eat. This is my body. Then he took the cup and when he had given things, he gave it to them, and they all drink from it. He said to them, this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:51:00]: Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it in the kingdom of God. And, when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of olives. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:51:13]: Here during the Passover, consisted of a variety of things. But Jesus isolates the bread, the unleavened bread, no leaven in it, which would represent sin representing his perfect life, his perfect nature, says, take and eat. This is my body. Although I'm perfect and sinless, I am the Passover sacrifice, and I am going to the cross for you. He took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to them, they all drink from it, and he said, look, this is my blood, not actual blood, but this represents my blood. It's the blood of a new covenant. The old covenant, also with the blood of animal sacrifices, this covenant based on the blood of Jesus, the final Passover lamb, shed for many, its full access to God by faith in Jesus Christ. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:52:15]: He institutes communion. He says, do this often, remember me, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:52:20]: new access to God, new covenant, that will stand for all time. All time? Because he says in verse 25, I will no longer drink the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. This is gonna last until eternity. Jesus is saying. What I'm instituting here, the bread and the cup, this is the way to the father. the new covenant. There's not gonna, like, kind of get old, wear out, and then there's gonna be a new, new covenant. replaces that. Now, this is until we celebrate together an eternity. When I drink it new in the kingdom of God, then it will be complete. But then also, he's drinking it new in the kingdom of God. In eternity in the perhaps marriage supper of the lamb. There's going to be a continuation that we exist for all eternity and stand forgiven for all eternity because the work of Jesus covers all time and Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:53:24]: eternity. Noteworthy to consider, just before this, that's when Judas left, then the Lord Institute of Dominion. woe to that man. It would have been good if he had not been born. Now he's gone. He's outside, guys. Here's the key, to be covered, to be forgiven, for all time, and all eternity. Here's the bread. Here's the cut. My body broken, my bloodshed, the work of Jesus covers time and eternity. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:54:00]: And so this evening, I wanna encourage you to consider these things. Let communion remind you. God's will always override all others. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:54:09]: You don't have to be so worked up and stressed out over the plans and plots of the enemies of God. They're not gonna prevail. God's will will always Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:54:21]: prevail. Doesn't mean that we have no parts of play in the will of God and no steps to take. but no worry and stress to provide, but to pray, to seek the lord, and to make sure that we're where he wants us to be. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:54:37]: when we are where God wants us to be, nothing else really matters. And all the plots and plans of enemies, they don't really matter. The heritage of the lord is every weapon formed against us will not prosper. It's not going to work. God's will always overrides all others. As you hold the bread and cup tonight, remember let it remind you, God's will will be accomplished, good for you, and what you do for Jesus has enduring value Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:55:05]: might be a huge, you know, thing that God's put upon your heart, might be little steps of faithfulness that he's set before you. Either way, regardless of what people around you might think, how much they might value what you do or how little they might value what you do, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:55:21]: Jesus says, it has enduring value. And it's gonna be written in the record books, and you will not lose your reward when you love the Lord and serve him. As you hold the bread in the cup, remember that surprising people will betray Jesus. There's going to be those from our midst who depart, who wander, who go astray. Let's prepare ourselves for that, but also, more importantly, Let's make sure we're not them. Lord, you do a real work in my heart that I never wander and turn away from you. Jesus has prepared more than you know, when you're stressed and worried, when you're overwhelmed, hold the bread in the cup and remember. He's got all this preparation behind the scenes. And all it's going to take is 2 seconds of instruction Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:56:08]: for it to all click into place. You can't see it. You can't imagine it. The disciples would have never come up with this plan. They would have never imagined this plan. Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:56:18]: but he had it all prepared. That's how God works. The communion reminds you. God's preparing. He's working behind the scenes in your life. You're in good hands. And the work of Jesus covers time and eternity. So, I've got the elements Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:56:33]: on the table here. I'm going to switch over to the guitar here and just worship the Lord a little bit. Anytime during the song, you're welcome to come up and partake between you and the Lord. And as you do remember, Pastor Jerry Simmons [00:56:44]: Remember, god will always override and accomplish his will. He values what you do for him It's honorable. It's treasured as you serve him. Some will betray, but make sure it's not you. He's got you. He's preparing for your life. He's got all kinds of things in store for you. It's for your good. And his work covers all time and eternity. You don't need anything further. to be righteous before God than what Christ has accomplished for you. Let's worship the Lord and