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Pursuing Jesus In The Gospel Of Mark
The Best Laid Plans
Mark 14:1-26

Introduction: An Unseen World

Robert Burns described life well when he wrote in his poem “To A Mouse”:

The best-laid schemes of mice and men go often astray.

The phrase is so familiar it is often abbreviated to “the best-laid plans”. If you and I are going to live successfully, this is a lesson that is best learned early on. I can safely say that if we were to offer time to share accounts of when our plans went astray, we would do nothing else for the rest of the day.

We pick up our pursuit of Jesus in Mark at the beginning of chapter 14. It’s still Tuesday. We know this because the time frame is clearly identified.

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him.

Mark 14:1 NIV

The Feast of Unleavened Bread fell on Thursday. So, as we have seen numerous encounters between Jesus and the various branches of Jewish religious authorities unfold, they finish the day having gone winless for the day and plotting revenge.

They look for a sly way and form their best-laid plans around their fear of the crowd because of Jesus’ popularity.

"But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot."

Mark 14:2 NIV

They have talked many times before about killing Jesus. Their resolve has moved past what they are going to do, to how they are going to do it and bring no harm upon themselves in the process. As a result they said, “Not during the Feast.”

There was wisdom in not making a move against Jesus during the Feast. The Jewish historian Josephus records how the population of Jerusalem swelled during the Passover. In 65 AD the emperor Nero was convinced that he could easily eliminate the Jews by attacking them while they were in Jerusalem for the Feast. Before taking any action, an advisor proposed they should take a count of the number of lambs that were sold for sacrifice to determine the strength of the people. By law one sheep had to serve a minimum of 10 people. The Romans counted sales of 265,000 lambs for sacrifice. When multiplied by 10 that meant there were a minimum of 3 million in the city. The number astounded Nero and forced him to change his mind. These kinds of facts were well known by the Jewish leaders who said, “Not during the Feast.”

God has other plans. He says, “During the Feast.” This involves God’s plan for redeeming the human race. Jesus will be the once-for-all-time Passover Lamb. God’s sacrifice for the sin of humanity will take place during Passover.

Before going any farther, I want to point you to a key passage that helps us understand there is often more going on than what we see. There is an unseen realm where the spiritual battle is being fought. This is the reason why our best-laid plans may be bypassed or reworked.

The LORD foils (frustrates) the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Psalm 33:10-11 NIV

Moving through the events of this week, we see God frustrating the plans of the leaders as He fulfills the purposes of His heart.

The powerful truth expressed in these two verses is illustrated time after time in Scripture.

The Fall of Adam and Eve resulted in the mother of all biblical promises

Speaking to the serpent who deceived Eve, God said,

And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:15 NLT

King Saul wanted to kill David but God had a place reserved for David in the Messianic line

Jonah tried to escape going to Nineveh but God convinced him in the belly of a whale

Herod tried to destroy Jesus, but God protected Him

Satan finally had Jesus right where he wanted Him (he thought) as Jesus died on a cross only to find out how wrong he was on Easter morning

Never forget that God accomplishes His purposes! That may be all you have to sustain you at times, but it’s all you need. God is constantly at work in places and realms that we cannot see to carry out His plans and fulfill His purposes.

God’s Purpose Is Fulfilled In Anointing Jesus (vv. 3-9)

Something strange happens now as Mark is moved back to events that happened on the preceding Saturday evening. The Spirit of God moves him to include this event between the desire of the religious leaders to kill Jesus and the intent of one of Jesus’ own disciples to betray Him. Standing brightly between these two portraits of evil is this moment of beauty.

The Action

Jesus is at a party.

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper…

Mark 14:3a NIV

There are at least 15 men present.

Jesus

The 12 disciples

Lazarus

Simon

Simon is a leper who has been healed. Even though healed, he is still known as Simon the Leper. Some believe he may be the leper healed by Jesus early in His ministry. He is the host for the party.

There is also one woman present.

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

Mark 14:3 NIV

John fills in some of the details for us.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

John 14:1-3 NIV

It is Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, who anoints Jesus.

She breaks the flask and pours all of its contents on Jesus. Normally only a few drops were used. It is estimated that the oil used by Mary, which was made from the fragrant root of a plant found in India near the Himalayan Mountains, was worth a normal year’s salary. It is an act of extravagant love.

The Reaction

Mary’s action isn’t well received by others at the party.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.

Mark 14:4-5 NIV

John tells us Judas is at the center of the criticism and reveals the motivation.

He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

John 12:6 NIV

The Correction

Jesus steps in to correct the disciples and to commend Mary.

But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.

Mark 14:6-9 NLT

Even in His correction, Jesus calls those who are critical to aspire to that which is greater. He doesn’t expose their sham pretense of helping the poor. He recognizes that as a worthy activity that can be done at any time. Instead, He points to the priority of timing. He will soon die. Mary has anointed Him for burial and will be remembered for her loving act.

I wonder if Mary knew what she was doing. In other accounts we see her sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to Him teach. Jesus has repeatedly told His followers of all that He faces in Jerusalem. Because she was so spiritually sensitive, maybe she did have some idea of what she was doing, prompting her to go beyond a few drops to use the whole bottle. Whether she knew or not, God uses her to accomplish His purpose and to give us a stirring example of the same whole-hearted devotion He longs for you and me to give to Him. Wherever and whenever the Gospel has been preached, Mary challenges each and every listener to consider if they are sold out to Jesus.

God’s Purpose Is Fulfilled Through A Plan Of Betrayal (vv. 10-11)

God’s purpose is often accomplished through the actions of human beings even though they may not be aware of what is happening. That’s certainly true with the one who is among the most reviled people in history—Judas.

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Mark 14:10-11 NLT

Among the gospel writers, Matthew tells us that Judas went to ask them what they were willing to give him if he delivered Jesus to them. Luke reveals the unseen forces at work, stating it was then that Satan entered Judas.

Certainly Judas determines to follow Satan’s dark plan. Whatever emotions Satan capitalizes upon, he finds one who is willing to side with him. Why would Judas sell Jesus out?

He may have been motivated by greed. As is often said, “Follow the money.”

He may have been motivated by disappointment. Jesus had talked about the thrones upon which the disciples would sit. Jesus is now talking far more often about what Judas sees as an end rather than a glorious beginning.

He may have been motivated by fanatic nationalism. With all the people in Jerusalem, Judas may think he can cause the revolt against Rome to begin.

The religious leaders are delighted. In a quick and dirty transaction,

Judas comes and asks how much they are willing to pay

They agree to 30 pieces of silver (no more than $50)

The money is given

Judas goes to look for a convenient time to betray Jesus

They didn’t want this to happen during the Feast. Their plan suddenly changes!

God’s Purpose Is Fulfilled Both Then And Now (vv. 12-26)

Then In Finding The Place (vv. 12-16)

The focus now shifts to Thursday. There is no account of what happens on Wednesday in any of the gospels. It is the first day of the Feast—the day when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus needs a place to celebrate with the disciples. He tells two of His disciples (Luke identifies them as Peter and John) how to find the place.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:12-16 NIV

The events that will unfold over the next four days will be harrowing, but they are not happenstance. Jesus is in control of the details—even to the point of telling the disciples to look for a man doing the task of carrying water that was normally done by the women in that time. Jesus wants to make sure He can celebrate Passover with the disciples, so the place will only be known by two of the disciples. This is not the place where Judas will be able to betray Him.

Then In Extending Grace (vv. 17-21)

The atmosphere for this meal is dampened by the dark cloud of Judas’ impending treachery. Even here Jesus extends grace with one last appeal to Judas.

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me." They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?" "It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

Mark 14:17-21 NIV

Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat the warning. For the one who betrays, it would be better if he had never been born.

Each of the disciples asks whether he could be the one. Judas wouldn’t need to ask. Judas could have told the others they didn’t need to worry. Even here his treachery wins out. He could have confessed and been forgiven. Judas wasn’t necessary for God’s plan to be executed. Divine sovereignty and human choice are held in dynamic tension at this point. As long as there is a chance, Jesus holds out the opportunity for redemption. Judas has a choice to make: Will he accept the opportunity or not?

I wonder what emotions Judas felt when Jesus said, “One of you will betray me.”

Was he filled with wonder that Jesus knew?

Did he shudder with fear?

Did resentment deepen his resolve to carry out his plan?

Judas carries out the charade. Matthew tells that Judas asks the same question as the other disciples but hears a different answer.

Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."

Matthew 26:25 NIV

Judas has made his choice and Jesus allows his choice to stand.

Think about the lesson. Jesus faithfully extends His grace to you. He is patient. But, there comes a time when He allows us to follow the course we have chosen no matter how disastrous it may be. If you are here this morning with even the slightest hint of a Judas heart, you know it. You know you are playing games with God and trying to look like all the other followers of Jesus. But you also hear Jesus talking to you—giving you still one more chance to let Him make it right. You have a choice to stubbornly pursue your treachery or to allow God’s grace to flood your life and forgive you completely.

Now In Celebrating Grace (vv. 22-26)

At this point in the account, Jesus looked beyond what was happening at that moment to every person who would ever follow Him. He turned the Passover celebration of the old covenant into the Communion celebration of the new covenant. The words are familiar but they must never become commonplace.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."

Mark 14:22-25 NIV

When you look at The Lord’s Supper and see it in its original setting, there are three significant observations to be made.

We see the depth of the sacrifice Jesus was about to make. It was not automatic. There was a price to pay and He is willing to pay it.

We see the depth of His love for the disciples both then and now.

My favorite hymn communicates the depth of that love when Charles Wesley wrote:

Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

This should never be commonplace.

We see the future fulfillment of His kingdom. He will eat the meal again only when the Kingdom is fulfilled.

That’s why the events were necessary. The religious leaders had a plan; but God had a far higher plan. They wanted to eliminate a nuisance. God wanted to eliminate the nemeses of sin, self and Satan. It was time for that to happen. And so,

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14:26 NIV

Conclusion: God Is In Control!

There is an incredible lesson for all today. God is in control! If He had control over the events leading to the culmination of His marvelous plan of redemption, He can certainly use the events in our lives to accomplish His purpose for us. I recently received an e-mail from someone who has experienced some life-threatening episodes over the past couple of years, but recently received an encouraging report from the doctor. That person concluded the note writing,

God has made himself very evident to me through all of the things that have happened to me in the past two years. It's made all the difference in how I view everything in my life.

Here is some of my response.

I'm impressed by your attitude through all of this. We do learn valuable lessons through tough times, don't we? When we were at the Mike Silva conference, one of the speakers shared how God worked through the difficulties of his very Job-like trials. His wife had died along with some career setbacks--just little things like that. He led us to look at the end of Job 1.

And he said:

“ Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Job 1:21-22 NKJV

He then took us to Psalm 68:19.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,

who daily bears our burdens.

Psalm 68:19 NIV

But check this version out.

Blessed be the Lord,

Who daily loads us with benefits,

The God of our salvation!

Psalm 68:19 NKJV

God truly works all things for our good. He bears our burdens by loading us with benefits.

When we look at the two versions side-by-side we see, “He loads us with benefits by bearing our burdens. He bears our burdens by loading us with benefits.” Let’s rejoice and be glad because God is in control.