Mark's Passion 2

(Mk 14:22) Having declared the death sentence (on Hmself and His betrayer) suddenly Jesus takes bread and announces it is His body.

These words are a source of great conflict in the Christian Church. In one of the great ironies, people who identify themselves as believing the Bible is "literally true" do not think what Jesus said is literally true. In fact, most of them rarely even celebrate the Lord's Supper. Whatever the eucharistic understanding one might have, clearly the words convey a significance which cannot be understated. "My Body" "My Blood" are connecting the ritual meal with His impending death. It is one obvious way that Jesus is redeeming the act of violence which will occur. It is our share in the new Passover.

One issue about time; in John's Gospel Jesus is crucified at the time that the Passover Lamb is sacrificed. While in Mark, the Passover meal takes place the day before Jesus dies. Many scholars have worked out theories to explain this. Quite possibly one or the other Gospel is placing "accuracy" about time to the back burner in order to make a theological point. John may be connecting the cross overtly, or perhaps Mark is blending the last supper with Passover to connect the meal and cross. In either case, the "season" of Passover is writ large in the story of Jesus' last meal and death.

The impending darkness is palpable. Jesus tells the apostles that they will all leave Him. The horror of isolation is easily overlooked in the story. Jesus will be alone, this night, and that fact is emphasized again and again. It is a help to us when we feel isolated in our pain. Jesus has redeemed that isolation, He has redeeemed those moments when we are destitute and bereft of any companionship. But as the darkness grows, so too, a glimmer of hope. The promise of resurrection is repeated with a new element. Jesus promises to go before the disciples to Galilee. Even as He led them to Jerusalem (where He will soon die) He promises a return trip home.

Peter, missing the point, focuses on himself. "I will never betray you!" His manly courage seems so sufficient. The other disciples also make the same claim. This is often overlooked, Peter is not the only one who confidently asserts his fidelity. They all do. It is just Peter's failure has been the center of focus. As disciples each of us (you and I) share in this overconfidence and infidelity. I dread the long list of "I will never..." that will  be part of my own judgment. Big talk and little else is not unique to Peter.

Beginning with verse 32, the next ten verses display the passion of Jesus in His struggle in the garden. The parallels between this garden and the first garden are interesting. In each case the central issue is obedience. Adam failed, in communion with Eve. Jesus will obey. Adam brings death, Jesus brings life. Adam lives to die. Jesus dies to live.

The disciples sleep. No explanation is given as to why. Throughout the Gospel they have failed to "get it" over and over. Perhaps they are tired and sleep because they do not get it, though with so much talk by Jesus it is hard to understand why they do not understand. Maybe they are worn out from the emotiona and confusion. These last few months (with a baby) I have been very tired. It is amazing how being tired can make us (me) not care about anything else. The desire to sleep is powerful. I do understand the desire to "just get some sleep." Maybe this is all there is to it; our bodies betray us because they are weak. Whatever the reason, it means that Jesus is alone to struggle with the fear in His own heart. Alone to beg the Father for deliverance from His fate. Alone to declare His willingness to suffer and die. Jesus goes to redeem us, "asleep" and unaware, from our sins and disobedience.