We are continuing on with the theme of the acknowledged covenant as the arrest and trial of Jesus comes to an end. Lord willing, next week up to the first week of Advent, we will see the covenant ratified through Christ’s death and burial, and we will see it vindicated in His resurrection. That will get us through Mark 16:1-8, and we will finish with Christ’s victory as we consider verses 9-20. We have seen the acknowledgment of Jesus by the counsel of Jews, and now we are going to see the acknowledgment by Pilate. Based on their trumped-up charges, they now seek Rome’s involvement.

Last week I gave us part 1 of what I’m calling “The Covenant Acknowledged.” What I mean by this is that the enemies of Christ have gathered around Him now to basically ask Him how He pleads to the charges they are bringing against Him, and in so doing they are in a way, acknowledging His teachings, miracles, and all other activities.

One of the things which I have emphasized is that Christians are covenant people. The Church is a covenant body. When we become Christians, we enter into this sacred covenant with God through Christ. When we become confessional members of a church, we are saying that we believe in what this church stands for, and we enter into covenant with each other. Covenant is what we actively do, and it is actively who we are. So, please keep this in mind as we continue to examine what our Lord goes through here.

Last week I made many references to this particular Passover feast as the last supper, or the final Passover feast. Obviously, the Jews still celebrate Passover even to this day. I used those terms in spite of these continuing feasts because it was all fulfilled in Christ. These OT practices are finally fulfilled once and for all in Jesus. So, there are those, even among Christians who like to continue having Passover meals or Seder meals, and I suppose it’s good for educational purposes, but as far as casting that forward looking prophetic purpose Jesus is the final Passover Lamb. I will be starting off by finishing up what I had from last week, and then we will move on to the main point for today—the announcement of the covenant.

Remember from last week verses 29-31, Peter’s words to Jesus, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise. Interestingly, that our Gospel of Mark is Peter’s account of the gospel to John Mark, and he is sure to tell John Mark that he swore he would not betray His Lord. But notice also that all the others said the same thing. In the midst of Jesus’ prophecy of His betrayal and the disciples’ desertion, we have this institution of the Lord’s Supper.