Playing God

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April 16, 2003 - Isaiah 50:4-9

Open It

  1. What is the appeal of the many so-called self-help techniques?

  2. What is one sacrifice you made for someone else?

Explore It

  1. What did God's Messiah refuse to do, unlike the people of Israel? (Isaiah 50:5)

  2. In obeying God, what suffering would the Messiah have to endure? (Isaiah 50:6)

  3. How was the Sovereign Lord a powerful source of determination and confidence? (Isaiah 50:7-8)

  4. When and where did the events of this story from Maark take place? (Mark 14:1-3)

  5. Why did the Jewish leaders not want to arrest Jesus during the Feast of Unleavened Bread? (Mark 14:2)

  6. What attitude did many of the common people have toward Jesus? (Mark 14:2)

  7. What amazing thing did a woman do while Jesus was visiting Bethany? Where? (Mark 14:3)

  8. What caused some people with Jesus to become indignant? (Mark 14:4-5)

  9. What does this incident tell us about some people's understanding of who Jesus was and why He had come? (Mark 14:4-6)

  10. Whom did Jesus rebuke? Why? (Mark 14:6)

  11. How did Jesus evaluate the behavior of the woman who poured out the perfume? (Mark 14:6)

  12. What did Judas do? (Mark 14:10-11)

  13. How did Judas betray Jesus? (Mark 14:10-11)

  14. How did the chief priests react to Judas's visit? Why? (Mark 14:10-11)

  15. What did Jesus' disciples ask Him? (Mark 14:12)

Get It

  1. What are some of the indications of God's tenderness in this prophecy of Isaiah?

  2. What specific benefit can we find in the words of Jesus, the Messiah?

  3. How is God's Servant, the Messiah, significantly different from the rest of humankind in his responsiveness to God?

  4. What is unique in your mind about the concept of a suffering Messiah?

  5. What do believers have available to them when they confront enemies?

  6. How would you have reacted if you had witnessed the woman pouring out a full year's wages' worth of perfume on someone's head?

  7. What do you think might motivate a person to give up on Jesus, as Judas did?

  8. Why do you think Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him?

  9. How does the fulfillment of Jesus' predictions in this account encourage you to trust Him?

Apply It

  1. What constructive way can you find to deal with a dark circumstance or confusing problem in your life?

  2. What is one way you can show your devotion to Christ above all other things, people, or ambitions in your life? When?

  3. How can you say thank you to Jesus each day this week for the suffering He endured for you?

NOTES

Mark tells us about Jesus' ultimate deed of servanthood-dying for us on the cross. Jesus died for our sin so we wouldn't have to. Now we can have eternal fellowship with God instead of eternal suffering and death. When first written in Rome, this Gospel was encouraging to Roman Christians during times of persecution. Christ's victory through suffering can encourage us during difficult times too.

The Jewish leaders plotted secretly to kill Jesus-his murder was carefully planned. The murder plot was not being planned because popular opinion had turned against Jesus. In fact, the leaders were afraid of Jesus' popularity.

Bethany is located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives (Jerusalem is on the western side). This town was the home of Jesus' friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, who were also present at this dinner (John 11:2). The woman who anointed Jesus' feet was Mary, Lazarus's and Martha's sister (John 12:1-3). An alabaster jar was a beautiful and expensive carved vase. Nard was expensive perfume.

Where Mark says some of those present, John specifically mentions Judas (John 12:4-5). Judas's indignation over Mary's act of worship was based not on concern for the poor but on greed. Because Judas was the treasurer of Jesus' ministry and had embezzled funds (John 12:6), he no doubt wanted the perfume sold so that the proceeds could be put into his care.

Why would Judas want to betray Jesus? Very likely, Judas expected Jesus to start a political rebellion and overthrow Rome. As treasurer, Judas certainly assumed (as did the other disciples-see Mark 10:35-37) that he would be given an important position in Jesus' new government. But when Jesus praised Mary for pouring out the perfume, thought to be worth a year's salary, Judas finally began to realize that Jesus' kingdom was not physical or political, but spiritual. Judas's greedy desire for money and status could not be fulfilled if he followed Jesus, so he betrayed him in exchange for money and favor from the religious leaders.

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