Explore The New TestamentSample

SAY WHAT? (What is the passage saying?)

• This chapter contains a lot of details about the last days of Jesus' time on earth.
• Did you notice the woman pouring expensive perfume on Jesus' head? Those watching were enraged at the amount of money she was "wasting" on such a silly act. What they didn't understand was that this action was symbolic of preparing his body for burial.  He was trying to tell them that he would die soon, but they could not understand how their leader, the Messiah, could leave them.
• In verse 22, we read about what's called the "Last Supper," or communion.  Jesus was sharing with his disciples bread and wine as a symbol of his body and blood that was about to be shed on the Cross. Once again, the disciples did not understand what he was really saying.
• Because the disciples considered themselves Jesus' closest friends, they didn't believe him when he said they would deny him when things got bad. 
• The chapter closes with the arrest and trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, which was a group of religious leaders. Interestingly, they couldn't find any reason to put him to death until Jesus claimed he was the Son of God.

SO WHAT? (What are the underlying principles?)

• The main thing that is clear in this chapter is that Jesus' death was necessary. Without his sacrifice, there would be no hope for us today.
• We take communion at church as a way to continually be reminded of the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us. 
• Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane is one we should all take note of. Remember, Jesus had been predicting his death for quite some time, so it's easy to think that he was comfortable with it. But in verse 35 we clearly see this isn't true: He cries out "take this cup from me," meaning, "please don't make me go through this horrible death." But Jesus still had clarity to remember that this decision was ultimately up to God and his will.
• Jesus clearly stated that he was the Son of God publicly.  This was considered blasphemy in Jewish law and was the ultimate reason he was put to death.

NOW WHAT? (How will you personally apply this passage?)

• Oftentimes, when something bad happens in life, we get angry at God and ask why. But, even Jesus had to go through something extraordinarily painful in life. If you are going through something difficult right now, take the example of Jesus and tell God, "Please take this pain away if you can.  But, no matter what, not what I want, but what you want for me."