Sabbath School Summary

By Elder Dr Masimba Mavaza

Taken and Tried

Lesson 11

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).

INTRODUCTION
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 14-16 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, 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.

SABBATH:
The passion of Christ began in Gethsemane & finished at Calvary in His death on the Cross. Mark 14-16 is best known as the “Passion Narrative” because it captures Christ’s suffering, death, & resurrection. Chapters 11-16 cover one week; most events in 14-16 occur on Thursday & Friday; the week of the Passion. Mark 14 starts with the anointing at Bethany, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, His arrest & Peter’s denial.

SUNDAY:
The two unforgettable acts in the Passion Week were the unnamed woman who anoints Jesus’ feet & Judas who kissed Jesus’ cheek. It’s the fifth sandwich story in Mark (Mark 14:1-11). The events occurred just 2 days to the Passover. The religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus. In Bethany, Jesus calls the action of the woman good. At the same time, Judas sought for a “good” chance to betray Him to fulfill God’s will; giving His Son for our salvation (John 12:4-6).

MONDAY:
Jesus predicted that a sword would strike the Shepherd & the sheep would scatter at the Last Supper (Mark 14:22-31, 16:7, Exod. 24:8, Zech. 13:7). He’s the “Good Shepherd”; the disciples were His sheep. The Lord’s Supper took place in the first day of the unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed (John 1:29; Jer. 31:31-34). It’s a new memorial service given by Jesus linked with Israel leaving Egypt & being God’s covenant people at Sinai.

TUESDAY:
In the Garden of Eden the sin of man led to the fall of humanity, in the Garden of Gethsemane Christ’s agony brought restoration to humanity (Mark 14:32-42). Gethsemane sit at the foot of Mount Olives & just across the Kidron Valley. Jesus left 8 of the disciples & later the 3 at a distance. He cried to His Father to remove the cup of agony but only if it was His will as in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:10). But “God said no”! He needed His friends (Phil. 4:13, 14).

WEDNESDAY:
With a heart full of greed, Judas did a deceitful deed. The seed of greed grew till he was the slave of evil (DA, p. 716, Mark 14:43-52). Nobody likes betrayers, even their employers (Matt. 27:3-7). Judas disguised betrayal as friendship. He wanted to hide his bad act. But Jesus did good when Peter cut someone’s ear (John 18:10, 11). A young man leaves all not to follow Jesus but to flee from Jesus (see Mark 14:51, 52).

THURSDAY:
Jesus gave a true answer while Peter gave a false one when their identity was in question. Jesus & Peter’s accounts in Mark 14:60-72 is the 6th & last sandwich story in Mark. In front of the Sanhedrin, Jesus’ testimony about His Messiahship made the high priest tear his robes (see Dan. 7:13, 14). They mocked Him to prophesy about the one who struck Him while blindfolded to mean He couldn’t see who struck Him. Yet, Peter’s denial fulfil His prophesy.

FRIDAY:
Christ knew Peter more than he knew himself. Peter got to know this truth when the shrill of the crowing cock rang in his ears. His eyes met that of His pale & suffering Master. The look of compassion & forgiveness from the Savior pierced his heart like an arrow. He remembered his promise to be with Jesus to prison & death. He had broken the promise. Jesus had pity for him.

—Ellen G. White, “Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas,” pp. 698–715; “Judas,” pp. 716–722, in The Desire of Ages.

Keywords

Gethsemane- The exact location is unknown because the Romans cut down all the trees on the Mount of Olives during the siege in a.d. 70.

Abba- Jesus used the term “Abba” when praying to God. It is an Aramaic term. It translates as “Father”. It does not mean “daddy,” as some have suggested. The term used by a child to address his father was “abi”. Abba, “Father,” does carry the close familial linkage, which should not be diminished.

The young man who flees in Gethsemane- Some think it was Mark himself, but that is unprovable.

DA- The Desire of Ages

Captions

SUNDAY- Unforgettable
MONDAY- The Last Supper
TUESDAY- Gethsemane
WEDNESDAY- Leaving All to Flee From Jesus
THURSDAY- Who Are You?

Discussion Questions

📌 How, by merely reading what Jesus predicted in Mark 14:9, are we seeing another of Jesus’ predictions—a highly unlikely prediction given the circumstances in which it has been uttered—actually being fulfilled?

📌 Compare and contrast Judas and Peter. How were they alike and how different in the way they acted in the Passion Narrative?

📌 Discuss the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. How can we make this more meaningful in our church and involve more members in its celebration?

📌 Discuss the fact that God said no to Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. What does it mean when God says no to us?

📌 Though Peter greatly failed Jesus with his denials, Jesus did not cast him off. What hope can you take for yourself from this fact?

For September 7–13. Happy Sabbath!