JESUS IN THE GARDEN, COMMITTING TO OBEY THE FATHER

Jesus and his disciples came to the Garden of Gethsemane, taking one step closer to the cross. He enters into the Garden and endures a terrible torment. Asking if at all possible the cup he was about to drink would be removed from him. This close to the cross, Christ gazes into its horrors more clearly than ever before. Looking to the bottom of the cup of God's wrath and agonizing over the reality that he'd have to drink it down to its very dregs. He, "the beloved Son," in whom God has never been anything but "well-pleased," would experience his Father's holy displeasure toward sin. This wrestling in prayer concludes with the Son's complete expression of obedience to the Father's plan, "Yet not what I will, but what you will" (14:36). Yet, way before this text is applied to us as a reason to obey even when it's hard, and to honor God's will like Jesus, the point is that Jesus is in the Garden obeying because we'd disobeyed God.

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A MEAL THAT GROUNDS BELIEF IN REALITY

In Mk 14:12-26, Jesus gives his friends a meal that will teach them, remind them, and reassure them of what he's dying for. On that day when the Passover lambs were being sacrificed all throughout Jerusalem (14:12), the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world was preparing to offer his body and spill his blood to atone for his people's sin. Jesus took the Passover, said it was about him, and gave his people a meal so that we could remember his death and all it accomplished until we entered into the full experience of its blessings: face to face and raising a glass with the Son of God in his Kingdom fully come (14:25).

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GREEDY FOR JESUS OR MONEY?

The unnamed woman in Mark 14 who in other places is said to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus (Jn 12:3), prepares Jesus' body to be buried by anointing it with perfume. Her act of honoring Jesus through this costly sacrifice points forward to the worth of his coming sacrifice. While Mary's action shows that she has no greater treasure than Christ, this is not so with Judas. He looks "for worldly treasure, and forsakes the King of kings," as he conspires with Jesus' opponents to turn him over to them in exchange for money (and 30 pieces of silver at that! Not even half the price of the perfume). Mark intends for this to strike our hearts: what are you captivated by? Money and the things of this world? Or Jesus? Listen to Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

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FURTHER RESOURCES ON THE RETURN OF CHRIST

This past Sunday we considered what Jesus had to say about his second coming. We dove into the doctrine of eschatology (the study of the last things) and were reminded that amidst our curiosity, speculation, and the potential to be distracted when it comes to considering these matters, eschatology is about the exaltation of Jesus. Below, you’ll find some recommended resources to help you think well about the end and exalt Christ TODAY as you await the LAST DAY.

• Our Statement of Faith: Section 13 - The Last Things

• The Last Days According to Jesus: R.C. Sproul’s short and accessible lecture series or excellent book on the subject of Christ’s return

• 10 Things You Should Know About the Second Coming of Christ: An article based on Revelation 19:11-21 by Sam Storms

• Go to Work, Go to Church - Christ is Coming Back!: Practical encouragement from John Piper to live Christ-exalting lives of ordinary faithfulness as we await his return

WE NEED A VIEW OF THE LAST DAY THAT SPURS US ON TODAY

After besting his opponents in the temple and proving himself to be the true authority over that house, Jesus turns right around and prophesies its impending destruction. In response to his disciples' marveling over this structure, he tells them of a coming day in which "There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down" (13:2). For it to be done away with, signaled the end of the world as they knew it to the first century Jew. Naturally, the disciples ask, "When will this be?” And in response to this ONE crucial question, Jesus once again provides TWO answers. Jesus’ answers were intended to fill His followers with confidence because the same Christ who journeyed toward a cross will return for us and bring us into eternal joy before his throne.

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THE WIDOW’S MITE - AN EXAMPLE TO CELEBRATE AND EMULATE

In Mark 12:38-44, the religious pretense of the scribes is contrasted with the humble faith of the widow. The former fails to render themselves wholly to God and lapses in their love of neighbor - devouring widow's houses. The latter is exemplary for her total devotion to God, her offering demonstrates that she loves God and counts him as her greatest treasure. Her sacrifice points us forward to Christ's own sacrifice. "For though he was rich, yet for [our] sake he became poor, so that [we] by his poverty might become rich" (2 Cor 8:9). Jesus “gave everything he had” for us - so that we could “live on” eternally with God. Listen to Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

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WHETHER NEAR OR FAR, ONLY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST GETS YOU IN

Jesus has beaten the Pharisees & Herodians and the Sadducees at their own games, and next comes an encounter with a scribe. Jesus is asked ONE question concerning his interpretation of the Scriptures, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” (12:28). He responds to that ONE question with TWO answers. Surprisingly, the scribe commends and agrees with Jesus’ answer and Jesus replies to him, saying, “you are not far from the kingdom of God”. The scribe had judged Jesus answer, but Jesus, the Lawgiver and the Sovereign Son of God, judged the worthiness of the scribe to enter God’s kingdom. He was near. But … he was not yet in. Why? Listen to Sunday’s sermon to learn more.

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BUT JESUS’ RESCUE PRECEDES OUR RENDERING

This week, we resumed our sermon series in the Gospel of Mark. We're back in the Temple with Jesus during Holy Week & the Sanhedrin have sent a new group of challengers to trap him. The Pharisees and the Herodians come to him with a question about taxes - "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?" (12:14). Jesus’ ingenious reply states, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (12:17). Caesar minted coins, so give those back to him. But God has made us in his image, so give yourselves wholly to him. But what Jesus knows about every person in His audience, including us, is that nobody has perfectly rendered their lives to God - we’re all in debt. He knows He’ll render His life for us. The cross looms large over this passage and any attempt on our part to render to God what belongs to God.

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“MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE TIME” - SPEND $1/ WEEK ON MISSION

The final week of our evangelism mini-series. In week two, we were reminded that the Risen Jesus continues his work in the world through us. On Sunday, we asked: practically, what does this mission look like in our church? How will we share the gospel with our neighbors, be on mission in our city, and spread the joy of Jesus in Santa Ana? Col 4:2-6 provides us with answers to these questions and provides us with 4 key aspects of ordinary evangelism: prayer, gospel partnership, speaking the language of grace, and loving our neighbors on purpose.

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This past Sunday, pastor Ricky Alcantar shared 5 helpful steps to practically live out the mission God has called us to.

1. Identify your mission field

Your mission field is where you live and do life with those who don’t know Jesus. So the question is not “am I called to a mission field” but “how do I engage the mission field God has already given me?” Below are some examples of mission fields in our lives:

• Your workplace

• Your neighborhood,

• Kid’s activity groups

• The gym, and many more

2. Be known as a Christian  

We want to relate who we are to why we are. There are plenty of nice people in our world, but we want to connect the way we love and care for people to the love of Jesus. Below are some examples of how we can be known as Christians: 

• When asked about your week or weekend tell people about church or community group, befriending the friendless, not participating in gossip, speaking well of others behind their backs, comforting others in distress

3. Form friendships with people who don’t know Jesus

Pray and ask God to reveal these people to you. What are some ways we can do this? 

• Get to know people, remember details about their lives and bring them up in future conversations, invite people to lunch and outings, and have longer conversations that are beyond news, weather, sports.

4. Be equipped for the mission 

Notice this is not at the beginning of the list! Many times Christians delay in telling others about Jesus, but if we form relationships with people we can learn how to care and love them better. Below are ways this might play out:

• Study the Bible: you never know how what you’ve read in your quiet time can impact someone. We need to know how to apply God’s word to others' need for the gospel.

• Listen and learn to ask questions! This will help shape your care, prayers, and love towards others in a meaningful way. 

5. Apply biblical truth to people’s needs

As you form relationships, sin, and crisis will create a need in people’s lives that as a Christian friend you will be able to help them see their need for the gospel. People will turn to those who have shown an interest in them as a person. We want to be those Christians people turn to. You may see this in times of sickness, relationships/marriage/parenting, or personal crisis. 

There are opportunities all around you every day to be a witness to the gospel. Let’s lean into what Jesus is doing in our city and join him on his mission to bring our neighbors from death to life through the message of the gospel.