Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Mark 14. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Momentous occasions are usually fraught with emotions. It was no different on the night that our Lord Jesus was betrayed. Since much time has passed, we can look back on the things that occurred with less emotion. Plus, we know how everything turned out that first Easter Sunday.
- The disciples didn’t know exactly what was about to occur, but they were certainly on edge. They had experienced remarkable things during the course of the past week: Jesus’ triumphal palm laden entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple of money-changers, more disputes with scribes and Pharisees, more parables, and sermons on the topic of the Last Day.
- Finally, it was time for the Passover celebration. At Jesus’ direction, the disciples made preparations, and the meal commenced. The disciples simply could not envision what was about to happen to their Lord, their teacher. But Jesus knew, and we can be sure that He was quite focused on what was to come, for:
I. Jesus Was Facing Great Suffering And Death On The Cross – To Bring Us The Joy Of Salvation
Text: “For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!”
Mark 9:31,32 “Jesus was teaching His disciples and He said, ‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And when He is killed, after three days He will rise.’ But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask Him.”
Statement: What Jesus knew quite poignantly, the disciples couldn’t fathom or grasp, and so while they experienced some discomfort of uncertainty they were fairly flat. However, they were moved to great sorrow by the announcement of Jesus that one of them would betray Him – and each asked what must have seemed an impossibility: “Is it I, Lord?”
Application: The Passover was a joyous celebration of God’s deliverance of the children of Israel from bondage and slavery in Egypt. It celebrated God’s salvation, His power and His love! But what joy there was at the beginning of the feast was fading away. However,
II. Jesus Was Filled With Joy Just To Be With His Dearly Beloved And Faithful Disciples – And Also Even With Judas
Text: “He said to them, ‘It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with Me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.’”
Statement: It is quite a sobering thing, to have to consider that you might be the one upon whom Jesus pronounces such woe! Thankfully, for the eleven, the finger and fate was not upon them. Sadly, for Judas, even given this opportunity to repent, it was too late. And while his sin of betrayal was to be paid for by Jesus, on the cross, the most tragic thing for Judas was his lack of faith. He didn’t know, he didn’t believe, that his dastardly sin was also taken away, paid for, and cleansed from him, by the suffering and shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross. And so his fate also was sealed.
Application: This is also often the challenge for us. We recognize our sin – which should give us cause for great sorrow and grief, and yet we live each day in the assurance of God’s gracious forgiveness and mercy. We know what Jesus accomplished for us as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. And ultimately, it is the joy that must prevail, even though the sorrow cannot be let go of completely. Just as it is said of Jesus: “for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” So also, it would be the greatest betrayal of Jesus for us to doubt or disbelieve that all of our sins have also been paid for and washed away in His suffering and death on the cross. God forbid that this should ever be so for any of us!
Transition: Jesus had this joy even in the face of the immense task that lay in front of Him, and He demonstrated this, for:
III. Jesus Ate The Passover With His Disciples For The Last Time – And He Instituted A New Meal Of Forgiveness And Communion For The Church, Which Pointed Toward The Coming Kingdom Of Heaven
Text: “And as they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And He said to them, ‘This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’”
Statement: So this part of the evening concluded with predominant joy – a new covenant of forgiveness and salvation, for the disciples and the church to participate in until the Lord’s return. And assurance, that we will drink it new with Jesus in the kingdom of God! Yes, they still had to go out to the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus would be arrested, tried, and crucified. But there would be perpetual communion between Jesus and His disciples, based in forgiveness and mercy!
Application: This is also given to us – and we must always remember this forgiveness and mercy from Jesus, and the assurance that He is with us to bless us. Joy must always prevail over sorrow, for this is the will of God, and His joy over us. And just as this precious new meal, this Sacrament of Christ’s body and blood, would comfort, sustain, and strengthen the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection, so it continues to do the same for us to this very day!
Conclusion: So also in our lives there will be quiet and peaceful times, but also times of great momentousness. We too will continue to have joys and sorrows, usually mixed together. This is the bittersweetness of confession our sins, and then receiving the assurance of Jesus’ own absolution.
And it remains the same in the Sacrament – in which we receive the body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. Joy in forgiveness which overcomes the sorrow of confession and repentance. Nonetheless, both remain mingled together within the peace of Christ.
As you contemplate His death tonight and tomorrow, remember the joy that He had in all of this, a joy which prevailed and carried Him through all of His daunting challenges. This is the joy that He wishes for you as well, and it is a joy that will help you overcome all of your challenges and heartaches in life.
May the Lord bless us all with such Great Joy, and Great Sorrow. Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.