Sabbath: Taken and Tried
Daily Lesson for Sabbath Afternoon 7th of September 2024
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Mark 14:1-72, John 12:4-6, Romans 8:28, Exodus 24:8, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Zechariah 13:7.
Memory Text:
“And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will’ ” (Mark 14:36, NKJV).
Chapters 14–16 in Mark are known as the Passion Narrative because they describe the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. As noted in lesson 9, the last six chapters of Mark cover only about one week. The majority of events in Mark 14:1-72; Mark 15:1-47; Mark 16:1-20 occur on Thursday and Friday of this Passion Week. Jesus’ death will occur on Friday, and His resurrection on Sunday.
This week’s lesson focuses on Mark 14:1-72, beginning with the fifth sandwich story, which interlinks two opposite actions in relation to Jesus. This is followed by the Last Supper, followed by Jesus’ struggle in Gethsemane. There He is arrested and taken before the leaders to be tried. The trial scene is linked with Peter’s denial of Jesus, forming the sixth and last of the sandwich stories in Mark. Again, two opposite actions occur, but by an ironic twist, they affirm the same truth.
Throughout the narrative, two contrasting story plots march hand in hand. In a crisp style, Mark sets before the reader these clashing plots while revealing the triumph of Jesus.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 14.
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Ellen White suggests:
I don't think the contemplation mentioned here is a mystical meditative experience but rather a consideration of the practical application of Jesus' sacrifice as we minister to our modern world.
I love watching steam engines and thinking out how they work. But, for all its engineering marvels, a steam engine is useless if it does not get to work and pull trains somewhere.
The suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus is the powerhouse of Christianity. We may wonder at the mechanism of salvation, but its the application that is ultimately important. Having thought about Christ's sacrifice, what manner of persons ought we to be?
Maurice,
I immediately thought of that quotation and was going to share it when I saw that you had. It's a great quotation which we all would do well to heed the advice given. When we realize all that Jesus endured for our salvation it is humbling indeed. All desire to sin is gone. How can we crucify the Son of God afresh by wilfully sinning? If we walk in the Spirit and live in the shadow of the Cross, we won't.
I read your comment and is thinking I have to stop sinning !!! Not only stop but reach a point in my Christian walk where sin no longer have a appeal to me!!in other words stop sinning!!
Am I right in thinking so!!
Gerry, you can't stop sinning on your own and focusing on that may not be so productive. Draw close to Jesus instead and let Him control you. He can fight those battles.
Hello Waller! concerning this point that we should draw close to Jesus and letting Him to control us!...How do we know we are close to Him or how do we get closer to Him? Kindly explain!
Thanks...
Hello Benjamin!
It's all about relationship. When you're in love with someone you want to be with them as much as possible and communicate frequently.
The same principles apply to our relationship with Jesus. Read His Word (Bible). Pray. Tell others about Him.
How do we know if we are close to Him? How much do we desire to do the above mentioned. That's a pretty good indicator. Blessings!
I can't say it better than Tim - spend time with the Lord. Ask Him for His power in your life and to show you where you need His healing so sin loses its power over you.
We don't always sense whether we're close to Jesus, but in time, when you look back, you will see changes. That's been my experience.
Gerry - yes, you are right when saying: "I have to stop sinning!!!!", and God will honor your request to no longer do that which you do not want to do. My advise is: the moment you refuse to do that which you do not want to do, you cry out for help from our heavenly Father to remove the desire you struggle with as far from you as the East is from the West - to remove it from you entirely - and thank Him for hearing and answering your prayer. Walk away from that which you do not want to do! May God bless your walk of faith!
Yes thus true
Chapter 14 of the Book of Mark is the longest and most eventful chapter in the entire book. It includes several significant events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. I want to suggest that the Last Super is arguably the most critical one (Mark 14:22-25). This event established the institution of the Lord’s Super (The Holy Communion). It represented the great sacrifice which Jesus was about to make for the salvation of mankind. To immortalize this event, Jesus commanded is followers to observe and remember it till He comes (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
When we participate in the ordinance of the Lord’s Super, we should deeply reflect on its critical significance in our salvation. Sadly, in some instances it is undertaken as an empty ritual. It is a holy ordinance commissioned and commanded by our Saviour Himself. It is indeed another chance to remind ourselves of the solemnity of this event when we partake of it next time. By the grace of God and the transforming power of the Third Godhead, may we be found worth when Jesus comes back again.
May I offer to consider looking at Jesus’ mission to give Salvation to mankind from the perspective of ‘penitence and humiliation’ as quoted from Ellen White’s writing? This week’s lessons relate to Jesus being ‘taken and tried’. Why was He taken and tried? Was it not because God needed/desired to show all mankind the power of His Grace – to raise Him whom men have crucified, to show them their ignorance and proclivity to sin - in order to save them?
My faith is in God’s Grace to ‘resurrect’ - cause to be born again unto everlasting life - those who come to Him by faith in His forgiveness of their sins. Before we were saved, we were spiritually among those who collectively caused the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is this collective sin which we confess and come to Him to remove it as far as the East is from the West - to forgive us through His Grace; bringing us out of our spiritual darkness into His marvelous Light – 1 Peter 2:9.
What is the lesson of penitence and humiliation then which Ellen White suggest that we ought to learn? Is it not to acknowledge the grave injustice man inflicted on Jesus, and to repent of this sin with great sorrow in our heart, showing our penitence by not continuing to live in ignorance of what unrepented sin in our life will cause?
Those still unrepentant are willingly ignorant of the gravity of sin leading to death. At the price of the life of His Son, God chose to demonstrate to man the power of His Grace through Faith, so awakening in us the desire to live blameless before Him - repentance and humility is what He requires of us.