Jesus Gives Odd Orders & An Awkward Announcement

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Mark 14:12-21 NASB

¹² On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when he Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples *said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” ¹³ And He *sent two of His disciples and *said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; ¹⁴ and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’¹⁵ And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” ¹⁶ The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

¹⁷ When it was evening He *came with the twelve. ¹⁸ As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” ¹⁹ They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” ²⁰ And He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl. ²¹ For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

OUTLINE

• Odd Orders 14:12-16
• Awkward Announcement 14:17-21

QUESTIONS

1. Life can often seem chaotic and out of control. How does the absolute sovereignty of God allow you to rest in the goodness of your Creator?
2. With the backdrop of Judas actively betraying Jesus, who is actually leading the direction of events as He moves toward the cross? (14:12-16) How does Jesus’ sovereignty over all these events impact your view when life is difficult or even chaotic?
3. How do you respond when things seem out of control? How do you respond in conflict? How did Jesus respond? (1 Peter 2:23)
4. Why does Jesus make an awkward announcement instead of unmasking Judas? (14:17-21) How is this an act of kindness, grace, and an invitation for repentance? Where do you avoid awkward and settle for the artificial? If Jesus was offering an invitation to Judas to repent, how could that example change how you approach others in the midst of conflict(s)?
5. Where do you find you are most likely to direct your own story instead of allowing Him to direct? What does repentance from control look like? What story is Jesus writing in your life this week?