TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
On the first day of the Festival 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?” Mark 14:12-14
Read: Mark 14:12-26
Listen: Mark 14
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem for Passover with thousands of others pouring in from all around Israel. The city was bustling with activity, and the aroma of cooking lamb filled the air. In this context, Jesus and his disciples sit down for their Passover meal. While they are eating a meal already full of Passover symbolism, Jesus gives the meal new meaning. He explains how his blood will be spilled and his body broken to save the world. Jesus will become the ultimate lamb of God, sacrificed to rescue people not from physical slavery but from slavery to sin. Jesus is telling his disciples, “I am it.” Hours later, Jesus is betrayed, arrested and eventually crucified.
The Israelites remember the Passover lamb as a part of their rescue, and we remember Jesus’s death as our rescue. Watch this video clip as Pastor Jeff Manion talks about how Jesus became the Passover lamb for us. When Jesus died on the cross, he took on the sin of the world. Now we can have a relationship with God through the blood of Jesus Christ. Not because we are good enough but because Jesus died in our place. In this, we see the welcoming hand of our rescuing God, who continues to invite us to the feast.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Think about what Jesus has done on your behalf. Find an appropriate way to express your gratitude to him today. If you have never chosen to follow Jesus, today would be a great day to take the step to follow him. Pray something like this, “God, I know I am a sinner, and I need your grace. Please forgive me of my sins. I believe in your son Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection. And I choose this day to follow you and make you the lord of my life. Help me to follow you.”
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
ROMANS 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
