Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 5-7, Psalm 109, Mark 14:12-31, 2 Corinthians 13 Mark 14:12-31: The Feast of Unleavened Bread becomes the occasion for a momentous new event. The arrangements are made according to Jesus’ command and prearrangement, and over the meal a prediction is made that was sure to raise the alarm in everyone’s mind: one of them will betray him. Even one of the twelve. This is all part of the plan, and it is God’s plan for saving sinners, but for the man who betrays Jesus, “it would have been better if he had not been born.” Let us make sure that we do not betray Jesus, but stay faithful to him. Nothing is worse than turning our back on the One and Only Savior. Who else has the Words of Eternal Life? The Lord’s Supper is instituted (14:22-25). It has two elements to it: the bread and the cup. A new covenant is being instituted, and the promise of God from long ago being fulfilled, such that the sacrificial death of the Lamb is in our place and for our sins. We are to remember this death on our behalf through the bread symbolizing his body, and the cup symbolizing his blood. They sing a hymn and then walk to the Mount of Olives. Jesus predicts that they will all fall away from him. Note that to sin, even fall away, is not the same as to betray Jesus. There is a difference between Peter’s denial and Judas’ betrayal. Even such an extremity as Peter’s can lead to restoration and new usefulness in God’s kingdom. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered: let us pray for our shepherds, and follow those who point us to the True Good Shepherd, the one who gave his life for the sheep. To receive God Centered Bible devotionals directly in your inbox, sign up here.]]>