P1 - The Wonderful Book of James

James 2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Who was James?
In today's blog I wanted to begin giving the reader a working outline and introduction to the wonderful book of James.  To begin, James was the half brother of Jesus according to the flesh. (Matthew 13:55; Acts 1:14)  Although he grew up in the same home as Jesus, James did not become a convert and follower during the course of Jesus' earthly ministry. (John 7:5) 

James' Conversion and Ministry
According to what we read in 1 Corinthians 15:7, Jesus made a post-resurrection appearance to James, resulting in James' conversion.  The evidence we have that Jesus' appearance resulted in James' conversion is by His presence in the upper room with the disciples following Jesus' ascension. (Acts 1:14)  James became one of the main spokemen at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15.  Shortly thereafter, the Apostle Paul later identified him (along with Peter and John) as one of the Pillars of the Church. (Galatians 2:9) 

It is believed that James' letter was the first book of the New Testament, preceeding Matthew's Gospel by at least five years and Paul's first letter, Galatians, by the same amount of time.  James' letter is a wonderful book of the Bible.  I have been blessed by the Lord to have both studied and preached through it. I offer the following outline of the first chspter of James to you today, hoping that you will take a second look at the wonderful Book of James.

James: Living Working Faith

Key Verse: James 2:26

 

I. Traits of a Strong Christian. 1:1

In the above introduction we aimed to lay out the testimony and life of James.  As you study James' background, you gain the following characteristics what makes him to be a model of a strong Christian:

a. Personal Testimony

b. Prioritizes spiritual maturity

c. Passion for Jesus

d. Persists in applying God's Word



 

II. Consider the Place of Trials. 1:2-12

a. Purpose of trials. 1:2-4

b. Navigating through trials. 1:5-11

c. Rewards of trials. 1:12

 

III. Understanding & Defeating Temptation. 1:13-17

IV. The New Birth. 1:18

a. The New Birth Brings a change of heart. 1:17-18

b. The New Birth Involves Repentance and Faith. 1:19-20

 

V. Scripture: The Christian's Strength. 1:21-25

a. It shields the faith-life. 1:21

b. It stabilizes the faith-life. 1:22-24

c. It steers the faith-life. James 1:25

 

VI. Evaluating your spiritual well-being. 1:26-27

a. Your speech

b. Your compassion

c. your purity

 

In tomorrow's blog we will continue with our study of the wonderful book of James.  May you, dear reader, have a wonderful and blessed day.



Statements, Questions & Answers in 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:1 "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand." (NASB)

1 Corinthians 15 has a total of 58 verses, comprising the most detailed discussion of the topic of resurrection found anywhere in sacred scripture.  The significance of this chapter cannot be over stated.  We have looked at this chapter in previous blogs, witnessing how it can be viewed through the styles of argumentation that Paul uses in asserting Christ's resurrection.  For today's blog I want us to regard this chapter from the standpoint of the statements and questions raised by Paul.   

I. The Need to Know the Living Gospel.  1 Corinthians 15:1-11
A. Expressed Statement of intent about the Living Gospel 15:1
1 Corinthians 15:1 "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand."
B. Elements of the Living Gospel 15:2-4
C. Experiences of the Living Christ of the Living Gospel. 15:2-11

II. Question #1 How can some say there is no resurrection? 15:12-34
A. Question #1 Asked about the importance of Christ's Resurrection. 15:12
1 Corinthians 15:12 "Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?"
B. Question #1 Answered, Part 1: Proving the resurrection's centrality to doctrine.  15:12-28
C. Question #1 Answered, Part 2: Prioritizing the resurrection's centrality to daily life.  15:29-34

III. Question #2 How are the dead raised? 15:35a, 36-41
A. Question #2 Asked: 1 Corinthians 15:35a "But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? "
B. Question #2 Answered: Paul answers this second question in 1 Corinthians 15:36-41

IV. Question #3 And with what kind of body are they raised? 15:35b, 42-49
A. Question # 3 Asked: 1 Corinthians 15:35b "And with what kind of body do they come?”
B. Question # 3 Answered:  Paul answers this third question in 1 Corinthians 15:42-49

V. The Coming Kingdom of God 15:50-58
A. Expressing the Statement about the Coming Kingdom of God. 15:50
1 Corinthians 15:50 "Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable."
B. Explanation about the Coming Kingdom 15:51-57
C. Encouragement to endure in light of the coming kingdom 15:58

Conclusion: My hope is that the reader will want to study this chapter further. Like a cave of wonders, 1 Corinthians 15 promises many gems of truth everytime the reader gives prayerful study to its contents.

Christ the Center & Christian Obedience

Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."

Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

Years ago I had went through a study called "spiritual life and evangelism" that was based off of the discipleship ministry called "The Navigators".  The material urged us as young students to memorize scripture under certain topics for the purpose strengthening our Christian walk.  I can recall in those days memorizing the above four verses: 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 2:20 were placed under the heading: "Christ the Center", while John 14:21 and Romans 12:1 were termed - "The Obedient Christian-life in action". 

In the study, when memorizing those passages, you were encouraged to think about those headings as being a wheel.  Dawson Trotman, the founder of Navigators, pictured the relationship between the believer's salvation (i.e Christ the Center) and sanctification (i.e Obedient Christian life) in the following way...



Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 2:20) aims at making Him the "hub" or center of the Christian life.  Furthermore, John 14:21 and Romans 12:1 comprise the outer rim or traction necessary to move the Christian walk forward - hence the term "the obedient Christian life" (or what the scripture calls sanctification).

True salvation receives Him by grace alone through faith alone. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20) Consequently, the post-conversion Christian life (sanctification) should progress onward and upward, characterizing a faith that is never alone. (John 14:21; Romans 12:1) Conversion (salvation) is the root of faith, with obedience being the necessary fruit of faith.  Numerous scriptures spell out this important and inseparable link between true saving faith and the works that come forth following the salvation commitment. 

I urge you the reader to take the above four passages and commit them to memory.  Second, I urge you to consider the "wheel diagram" above and use it as an aid in your scripture memory.  Lastly, ask the Lord to continually strengthen you by His Holy Spirit as you aim to keep centered on Jesus Christ while effectively obeying His will. 

A proposed order of prophetic events

1 Corinthians 15:23-24 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming (24) then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.

Revelation 1:19 "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things."

The two-fold tension that exists in Bible Prophecy: We need to know and yet there are things we can't know
In today's blog I want to trace out a proposed general order of prophetic events that are described in two major sections of scripture. Thankfully we have seen agreement  or near agreement reached among Bible believing Christians in other areas of Bible doctrine, such as: The Trinity, Christ's Deity and Humanity, Salvation by Grace through Faith alone, the Bible as the Word of God and Christ's physical and bodily return.  Entire Christian bodies and historical church councils have been convened to reach an agreement on those major points, however such an agreement as not been achieved when it comes to the ordering of prophetic events.  Why? Two reasons:

1. In one sense, scripture tells us that there are aspects of prophecy (or eschatology) that we simply will not know in this age, such as the exact moment of Christ's return (Matthew 24:36) and certain times and seasons set by the Father (Acts 1:7).

2. However, it is our responsibility as Christians to communicate the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15), to be aware of the major events surrounding Christ's return (1 Thessalonians 4:13) and to comfort one another with the words of prophecy (1 Thessalonians 4:18). 

Just because there may be legitimate differences of opinion on the finer points of Bible prophecy, does not mean we should abandon the effort to keep searching the scriptures.  Clearly we as Christians need to communicate to the world that Christ is returning, and that they need to repent and believe so as to escape the coming wrath of God on this world. (Romans 5:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9)  In short, we have near-full confidence in being able to lay out a general ordering of events (and I would argue have a duty to do so, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:23-24 and Revelation 1:19), even though we may not know the smaller details nor possess 100% knowledge on when some things will occur.  Bible scholars refer to this feature of Bible prophecy as "already/not yet".1  This tension is purposefully engineered by God to work forth faith and dependance upon Jesus Christ and the scriptures.2  Studying biblical eschatology (study of last things, prophecy) aims to both illuminate our understanding and push us to walk by faith rather than sight. 

Outlining 1 Corinthians 15:23-28 & Revelation
With those observations we now turn to offering two outlines in today's blog.  The first will be from 1 Corinthians 15:23-28, with the second outline being the Book of Revelation.  I would urge the reader to compare both texts and conclude for themselves where they stand on the ordering of prophetic events.  As a second caution, I would also urge the reader and myself to humbly admit that we don't possess 100% understanding of the details of the orderings, and thus allow for legitimate differences of opinion on these matters.

Outline of 1 Cor 15:23-28                      Outline of Revelation
I. Christ's Resurrection 15:23a               
                                                            I. From His Ascension to 
                                                            Future Tribulation Period 
                                                            1:1-11:19
                                                          
                                                            II. O.T Israel to end of world
                                                            system 12:1-18:24

II. Christ's Coming        15:23b           III. Christ's Return 19:1-20:3
                                                           (depicted increasing detail 
                                                           throughout the book,
                                                           with Revelation 19
                                                           being the most detailed).

III. Placing All things under His          IV. Millennial Reign 20:4-15
feet till He abolishes death                (depicted in increasing detail
15:25-28                                            throughout Revelation 20. Six
                                                          times we read of Christ reigning
                                                          1,000 years.

IV. The End before eternity               V. Final Judgment & eternity
15:24-28                                            21:1-22:21

If we were to picture the proposed interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 and Revelation, we would have the following...

Old                Christ's        Tribulation   2nd     Millennium
Testament    Resurrection                    Coming                 Eternity

In the above diagram we did not include specific lengths of time for sake of simplicity.  My hope is that in this blog today you have gained a little bit better understanding of what such an ordering of prophetic events may look like.  Again I urge the reader to study the scriptures for themselves.  In future blogs, I hope to explore this particular area of Doctrine and Bible study further.  Until then, may the Lord richly bless you this day. 

End Notes______________________

1. So for example, "already" Christ began reigning over His church as her King and inaugurated His reign as Supreme King over the universe. "Already" the Kingdom of God is at work in the hearts of Christians and broken into this current age through His first coming, cross and especially His resurrection. However, Christ has "not yet" fully made visible His reign, and will not do so until He returns. The Kingdom of God has "not yet" fully manifested, since Christ must reign (1 Corinthians 15:25) for a 1,000 years following His coming. (Revelation 20).

2.   Consider two passages of scripture that spell out this tension of knowing and yet not knowing - 1 Peter 1:8 and 1 John 3:2-3. 1 Peter 1:8 states - "and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory". Now notice 1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (3) And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
 
 

A Resurrection Sunday Meditation - The Biggest & Best News!

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. (NASB)

Yesterday we outlined the entirety of 1 Corinthians 15 to prepare our hearts for today.  We noted the theme of 1 Corinthians 15 to be: "The Living Gospel - The Biggest and Best News!"  Paul had just finished demonstrating how central the truth of Christ's resurrection is to Biblical Christianity in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19.  Paul puts down the shield of defense and takes up the sword of scripture and proclaims - "But now Christ has been raised from the dead...".  What follows is a demonstration of why Christ's resurrection from the dead makes the Gospel the Biggest and Best News. 

To see the beauty and scope of 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, we will offer a fresh translation of the text from the Greek to behold the glory of the Resurrected Christ.  Endnotes will be included in the translation for the reader who desires to dig deeper into the implications of Paul's words.  After the the translation, we will then consider in outline form why Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead is the biggest and best news.

A fresh translation of 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now behold! Christ has risen from the dead, as the first fruits (i.e first one to do so) from those who have otherwise remained dead! 21 It is a known fact that through a man came death, and through a man comes the resurrection from the dead. 22 To be more specific - all who are in association with Adam1 die2, consequently then, all who are in association with Christ3 will live. 23 You see, each occurs in a specific order: Christ the first fruits, then secondly, those who will be with Christ at His Personal Return4 24 then thirdly, The End5, that is, whenever He hands over the kingdom to God the Father following the time after every ruler and every authority and every power is abolished. 25 To clarify, it is necessary for Him to reign until He has placed all enemies under His feet. 26 The one called ‘Death’ is of course the last enemy to be abolished. 27 For He placed all things under His feet of authority.  When He states: ‘all things have already be placed under His authority’, He is excluded from the category ‘all things’, since He is the One under whom all things have been placed. 28 But whenever the condition of all things is fulfilled in relationship to the Son’s reign, then the Son Himself will voluntarily submit all things to Him so that God may be all supreme in all things.”

With a fresh translation of 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, we can now consider why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is first of all the Biggest News, followed by why His resurrection is also the Best News.

Christ's resurrection is the Biggest News because it covers every major doctrine and section in the Bible

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 is such an important section of 1 Corinthians 15 because of the scope of material that it covers. In the above translation I underlined five words that are significant in this text, since all of them put together provide a basic outline of the entire Bible!  The reader is encouraged to look at the endnotes I mentioned earlier to see the further implications of the five terms.  We can take those five words above and summarize them accordingly:

a. "Adam" = refers to creation
b. "die"      = refers to the curse
c. "Christ" = the focal point of scripture, and the One who raised from the dead
d. "Personal Return" = translated in other translations as "coming".  This speaks of Christ's Personal, Visible, Physical return at the end of this age
e. "The End" = This refers to the conclusion of all things when Christ hands over everything He has submitted under His reign to God the Father. 

So with those five terms: creation, curse, Christ, coming and conclusion, we can see why Christ's resurrection is such big news in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.  Christ's resurrection demonstrates that creation will be redeemed, the curse has been reversed for believers in Christ and that Christ is central to understanding history and eternity.  Furthermore, Christ's resurrection also demonstrates what Christ will accomplish in His second coming as well as how He will bring all things to their appropriate conclusion.

Why Christ's Resurrection is also the Best News
The more you read and study 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, the more amazed you become at the range of ground touched by the resurrection.  But let's not forget that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is as much personal as it is profound.  1 Corinthians 15:20-28 serves to demonstrate the personal importance of Christ's resurrection to the Gospel asserted in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand. (2) by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. (3) For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (4) and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (NASB)  


Did you catch how many times the personal pronouns (you, our) were mentioned in the text?  Paul emphasizes the personal pronouns ten times in a span of four verses to communicate how the Gospel is the Best News around.  Personally it gains you access to God, to Jesus, to His forgiveness, to all His rich graces and to the hope of an eternal home.  Not only that, but since the pronouns in the original Greek are plural, that means you and I who believe on the resurrected Jesus get to enjoy all of His saving benefits together!   

Truly the Resurrection of Jesus Christ makes the Gospel both the Biggest News and the Best News.  "Big" because of all the doctrines and events that it has either affected or will ever affect.  "Best" because you who by grace through faith believe on Him are personally and eternally saved from wrath, saved unto Him and saved to live forever with Him.  That's the Biggest and Best News you will ever hear!

Endnotes______________________

1. Creation: We see the historical Adam mentioned in 15:21-22. God created man originally perfect. Adam was not a myth, but a real person.  As we read later on in 1 Corinthians 15:45a "So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.”

2. Curse: This second word summarizes what Paul says when he mentions in 15:22 how all born into Adam "die". We know from Genesis 3 that after Adam and his wife had eaten the forbidden fruit, God consigned both they and their descendants to a curse. Whenever we consider these first two ideas: creation & curse, we begin to see God's aim in redeeming and restoring that which was lost as a result of sin and death. Romans 8:20-21 notes - "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope (21) that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God." 

3. Christ: So the question is: "will creation ever be redeemed and will the curse ever be reversed?" As you read on down through 1 Corinthians 15:23ff, you get the answer to that question in one Person - Christ. Christ's resurrection from the dead demonstrated two vital truths: He has reversed the curse upon all who by grace through faith believe on Him and that the created order will be redeemed. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 presents creation and the curse - the problem, and 15:23 present the solution - Christ. For the remainder of 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, we will see how Christ will accomplish the Father's purposes. Remember, everything that Paul is writing hinges on the reality of Christ's resurrection - its that big! So we have seen creation, curse and Christ. 

4. Coming: 1 Corinthians 15:23b states in the NASB "after that those who are Christ's at His coming". In the above translation I rendered this word "Personal Return" to underscore the nature of Christ's second coming. The Personal Return of Jesus Christ is captured by the Greek word "parousia" that speaks of a King returning to his home city or country after having won a battle or a war. The inhabitants come out to meet the King and to reconnect with their Ruler, and he with them. 

5. Conclusion: 1 Corinthians 15:24 starts out with the simple but profound phrase: "then comes the end..." Christ's resurrection from the dead not only demonstrated the accomplishment of His first coming - redemption, but it also guarantees what He will accomplish when He come again - Rulership. As you go down through the remainder of 1 Corinthians 15:25-28, Paul details what he means by verse 24, as well as showing the relationship between "the coming" and "the end".  We would advocate that there is an implied space of time between "His coming" in verse 23 and "the end" in verse 24.  Furthermore, I personally see the implied "space" being explicitly 1,000 years as detailed in another scripture - Revelation 20.  In 1 Corinthians 15:25 I included the term "to clarify", since verses 25-28 are a clarification of verse 24.  Paul is proposing an actual ordering of major events outlined in Biblical prophecy or eschatology:

Christ's                  Christ's 2nd coming      He must reign   End
Resurrection-------Resurrection of saints--Millennium of--- of
(first fruits)            (those with Christ)         Rev 20 seems    all
                                                                        to fit here         things
                                                                        Resurrection
                                                                        of the wicked
                                                                        will occur at
                                                                        the end of the
                                                                        Millennium or
                                                                        1,000 year reign
                                                                        of Christ.

With that basic order, harmonized with other prophetic texts, we gain a sweeping understanding of history and prophecy.  Following the end, Christ will have handed all things up to the Father, which will then take us into eternity. 

                                                                                

A Pre-Resurrection Sunday Meditation - 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:20 "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."

Today we turn our attention to the greatest Biblical text on the resurrection outside of the Four Gospels - 1 Corinthians 15.  Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church was designed to be corrective, since the church had given herself over to division. (1 Corinthians 1:10)  1 Corinthians 15 shines above the skyline of this Corinthian epistle like a bright star piercing a storm ladened sky.  For today's blog I want to offer a brief outline of this great chapter for the reader's faithwalk.  May you be encouraged in your faith as you study the truths contained within this grandest of chapters:

1 Cor 15 - The Living Gospel: The Biggest and Best News! 

 

I.   The Elements of the Living Gospel                   15:1-11

      A. Effects of Salvation                                      15:1-2

      B. Event of Salvation                                        15:3-9

      C. Experience of Salvation                               15:10-11

Comment: Paul functions as a teacher, spelling out the most important features of the Living Gospel.

 

II.   The Living Christ of the Living Gospel              15:12-19

      A. Proof the the Living Christ's Identity              15:12-14

      B. Preaching centers on the Living Christ          15:15-16

      C. Personal faith connects to the Living Christ  15:17-19

Comment: Paul then switches hats, from being a teacher to that of a lawyer, showing the logic of the Living Gospel

 

III. The Doctrine of the Living Gospel                       15:20-28

      A. Character of God                                           15:20

      B. Curse conquered by the cross                       15:21-23

      C. Coming of Christ                                            15:24-28

Comment: By inspiration of the Holy Ghost Paul continues, switching tone yet again to that of a great theologian & prophet, showing the height and breadth of the Living Gospel in every major area of Bible truth.

 

IV. The Power of the Living Gospel                          15:29-49

      A. Power to Endure Suffering                             15:29-32

      B. Power to excell in Godliness                          15:33-34

      C. Power to overcome unbelief                           15:35-49

Comment: Having focused on the head, now Paul appeals to the heart as an evangelist, driving home the point of the power of the Living Gospel.

 

V. The Encouragements of the Living Gospel          15:50-58

     A. Rich inheritance                                               15:50-53

     B. Ridding of sin and death                                  15:54-57

     C. Rigors of ministry are worth it                          15:58

Comment: In this final section, having functioned in the roles of teacher, lawyer, theologian, prophet and evangelist, Paul concludes this wonderous chapter as a pastor, compelling the conscience and imagination of his readers to see the encouragements of the living Gospel. 

Good Friday Meditation #3 - A Slow Look at the Cross

Mark 14:12 "And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”  (ESV)

For the past two days we have been preparing for Good Friday by noting how the Gospel of Mark and Isaiah work together to present to us the sufferings of Jesus Christ - the Servant of the Lord.  We noted in yesterday's blog how Mark uses the word "immediately" in over 40 places to hasten the pace of his book.  When Jesus came to this world, He had a mission to accomplish and much ministry to do.  With the idea of "activity", Mark also omits his commonly used word "immediately" from the two sections that demand a slower pace: namely Jesus' last public sermon (The Olivet Discourse) and His preparations for the day and night before His crucifixion. 1

The need to s.l.o.w down and take a long hard look at what Jesus accomplished in His first coming and what He will accomplish in His second coming
It is in the first half of Mark 14 (and more particularly Mark 14:12-28) that we find Jesus celebrating His final meal with His disciples.  It is on this particular occassion that Jesus transforms the Passover celebration commemorating the Old Testament Exodus into focusing on what would be His once for all provision for salvation.  Scripture encourages the believer to use the event of the Lord's Supper to s.l.o.w. down and take a slow and long look at the cross. (1 Corinthians 11:23-34; Hebrews 12:1-3)  Consider the following thoughts from Mark 14:22-28 by way of the acrostic s.l.o.w....

Spend time with Jesus.  Mark 14:12-17
Three times in this section do we find reference to the disciples needing to "prepare" for the meal they would have with the Master. (Mark 14:12,15,16)  The emphasis here is the need to spend time with Jesus.  In fact we read in Mark 14:17 - "When it was evening He came with the twelve."  So if we are going to take a slow look at the cross, we must aim to spend time with Jesus.  But notice the second purpose for the Lord's supper here in Mark....

Look at the Scriptures.  Mark 14:18-21
Jesus communicates to His disciples that He is going to be betrayed, and that "the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him." (Mark 14:21)  The thing I love about the Lord's supper is how it slows us down enough to hear God's Word and read God's Word about Jesus.2  And so in seeing the celebration the Lord's supper here in Mark, we learn to slowly look at the cross by spending time with Jesus and looking closer at the scriptures.  Now notice a third truth...

Ongoing Nourshment from Jesus.  Mark 14:22-25
Why is it that Jesus chose to use the Passover meal to communicate what He was going to accomplish on the cross?  Simply put - Christ is the source of nourishment in the Christian's spiritual walk. (John 6:53-58)  The symbols of bread and fruit of the vine are signs that point us to the presence of Jesus among His people as they come together. (Hebrews 2:11-14)  The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 reminds us that the Lord's Supper is "a symbolic act of obedience." 3 The food and drink of the Lord's table are physical means of nourishment, staples for physical existence.  They point and signify the fact that the Master is ever with His church, to the end of the age, feeding and nourishing the saints of God through the word. (Matthew 28:18; John 21)   

Slowing down to spend time with Jesus, looking at His word and enjoying ongoing nourishment from Him is what we need reminded of, however there is one last truth we learn from this text...

Worship in celebration of Jesus.  Mark 14:25-28
Mark 14:26 states - "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." When we celebrate the Lord's Supper, as prescribed for us here in Mark, we should not end on a low note.4  In the Passover Meal that night, Jesus and His disciples would had closed singing what the Jews came to call the "Great Hallel", the section of Psalms 113-118 and 136.  Read those Psalms, and you understand that the tone is not of sadness and defeat, but of victory and expectation.  The word "Hallel" in the Hebrew means "praise" and is in our word "Hallelujah" which means "praise the Lord." 

Conclusion
I hope these last few blogs have enabled you to get more focused on what Jesus accomplished on Good Friday.  Remember, take time to take a s.l.o.w look at the cross. 

Spend time with Jesus
Look at the scriptures
Ongoing nourishment from Jesus
Worship in celebration of Jesus

End Notes______________
1. The Olivet Discourse in Mark 13 is the final sermon Jesus delivered on the slopes of the Mount of Olives which lies East of the city of Jerusalem. The subject of that message was the events and times leading up to Jesus' second coming. Without a doubt God's people need to slow down and base their prayers and hopes in this life on the soon return of the Great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:1-3)

2. We slow down enough to not merely read the word, but to reflect on it. (Joshua 1:8) My question is: "what scripture is Jesus referring to here that speaks about His betrayal?" Comparing passages such as Psalm 55 and 109 yields to the reader a set of pictures and predictions about the betrayal of our Lord at the hands of Judas. 

3. Jesus was in the midst of His disciples. Contrary to what some may teach, the bread and fruit of the vine do not turn into the body and blood of Jesus, nor do they contain His spiritual presence. Rather Jesus is in His people as mediated by the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. (John 16:14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13) As these disciples came together to eat this first meal, Jesus was with them in a personal way. 

4. To merely treat the Lord's Supper like a solemn memorial service only is to stop short of its ultimate aim. Yes, time was needed for these disciples to digest what their Master was to undergo in a few short hours. Undoubtedly, we need time to take a slow look at the cross. However, Good Friday points beyond itself to Resurrection Sunday.