Sunday 20 March
Devotion and Betrayal
Mark Wells
Mark unpacks the passage: Gospel of Mark 14:1-11 that tells of when a woman anoints Jesus with a pint of expensive perfume. From the passage Mark encourages us to think about: our audience - who do we live for?, our actions - what do we allow Jesus to do for us and what do we do for him, and our aroma - what of Jesus do I carry with me for others to experience? He reminds us that Jesus is devoted to us.
Life Group questions
Devotion and Betrayal
Gospel of Mark:
Session 1
From here forward we join Mark on a journey to the cross. How do you respond to the story of the crucifixion of Jesus?
Read Mark 14:1-11.
Discuss
This short story is framed by two scenes where people are making plans to have Jesus killed. This might give the reader the false impression that Jesus is the victim of the circumstances that led to his crucifixion. Yet it seems clear in verse 8 that Jesus is perfectly aware of what he is heading toward.
How do you respond to the fact that Jesus is so calm and matter-of-fact about his upcoming death? How would you respond if God called you to die for him?
Compare this story with the short episode recounted in Mark 12:41-44. What do these two stories have in common? What do these unnamed women teach us?
Read “The Anointing at Bethany” by Malcolm Guite:
Come close with Mary, Martha, Lazarus
So close the candles stir with their soft breath
And kindle heart and soul to flame within us
Lit by these mysteries of life and death.
For beauty now begins the final movement
In quietness and intimate encounter
The alabaster jar of precious ointment
Is broken open for the world’s true lover,
The whole room richly fills to feast the senses
With all the yearning such a fragrance brings,
The heart is mourning but the spirit dances,
Here at the very centre of all things,
Here at the meeting place of love and loss
We all foresee, and see beyond the cross.
Malcolm Guite’s words here play up the beauty and mystery of this story. What parts of this poem did you find particularly significant? What do you think Malcolm is trying to emphasise?
In the final line of this poem, Malcolm Guite talks about seeing beyond the cross. Bible scholars note that the first readers of Mark’s gospel would have known the story of the resurrection, and that the gospel was written to help them learn more about who Jesus was and what he wanted of his followers.
What do you think this passage teaches about how Jesus wants us to live?
How do you think our awareness of the resurrection influences our interpretation of this passage?
Past talks