Home » Ministers' resources » Worship Resources » Studies » On the way to Calvary - Lent 2004 » Study 2

Study 2 - Jewish Leaders, Jesus and Peter

We begin this study where we began Study 1. Read Mark 14:1,2.

The Jewish religious leaders had a plot but no real plan of how to get rid of this trouble-maker, Jesus. And they weren’t going to do anything during the Passover festival.

Read Mark 14:10,11. What has changed?

Discuss why Judas, one of the Twelve disciples, friends of Jesus, co-workers, might seek to betray him. Let the discussion flow. There are no right answers. We don’t know but we can try to get inside this man’s thinking and perhaps find some modern or even personal parallels.

The story of Judas and the Jewish leaders gets expanded in the other Gospels. In Mark there are a few more references but no great detail. But first more of the story.

Jesus and his disciples were Jews. Jews tried to be in Jerusalem for one of the religious festivals as often as possible. Jesus and his friends were in Jerusalem so they are of course going to celebrate the Passover. The disciples asked what plans Jesus had.

Read Mark 14:12-15. What’s odd in verse 13? Discuss this verse. What does it tell you?

Read verse 17 and refer back to verse 16b. Who prepared the meal?

We are all influenced by Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper, twelve men and Jesus sitting at a table. A more recent painting is different. This picture of this occasion, celebrating the Passover, includes women and children. Does this shock you? The Jewish Passover meal is very much a family occasion. The youngest present asks the question about the origin of the feast which provides the opportunity to share the story of their history of liberation from slavery in Egypt.

Read verses 18-20.

Then follows the institution of the Last Supper, the Eucharist, Holy Communion.

We shall not spend time discussing this but move on to what Jesus says next.

Read verses 27-31. We shall return to this later.

We shall not consider Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. But move on to what happens next.

Read verses 43-49.

How has the Jewish religious leaders’ plot been carried out?

Remember it is Passover night. Where should the religious leaders be? Were they?

Look ahead to verse 53. My! My! What were they doing there?

Spend a few moments reflecting on what Jesus’ feelings might be.

And the disciples’ reaction – verse 50.

Judas’ involvement is over. Mark doesn’t tell us any more about him but you could reflect on what his feelings might be now.

Peter followed from a distance.

Read verse 54 and 66-72.

Spend a few moments picturing the scene. How could he do this to his friend?

He’d been so adamant that he would never deny Jesus but what happened?

Our reflection may call to mind personal reminiscences.

Is there a bit of Peter in each one of us?

Finish the session by referring back to Study 1. Jesus said what the unnamed woman had done at Simon’s dinner party would never be forgotten. But whose stories are we more likely to remember at this season of the Christian year?

Judas and Peter – two named men. What is the Gospel trying to say to us?