Sermon Synopsis
This sermon explores Jesus’ unwavering determination to fulfill the Father’s redemptive mission during His final Passover. Through the willing obedience of ordinary people, steadfast resolve in the face of betrayal, and deep, passionate longing expressed in the institution of the Lord’s Supper, Christ advances God’s plan of salvation. The message calls believers to reflect on the seriousness of the breaking of bread and their role in God’s ongoing mission of reconciliation.
Please note: This transcript is provided as close to verbatim record of the sermon.
A very good morning to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I want to bring greetings to you from our home assembly, which is called Hillview Bible Chapel in Cerritos, California, in the United States. It is such a joy to see the Lord’s people worship the Lord in the same way as we do in our home assembly. What a wonderful thing it is to see the Lord saving His people in different parts of the world, and remembering the Lord in the breaking of bread all over the world. It is such a joy to be part of your worship meeting this morning.
We have been enjoying your love and hospitality so far, and it has been wonderful—not to mention the food in Singapore. I feel like I have already gained four or five pounds.
We arrived yesterday morning and were given a tour of this beautiful building that the Lord has given to you. I am not kidding—two people came to me and said, “When I saw your name, I thought this would be a white American coming here.” I know my name can confuse people. I have been known for that. So, sorry if there were any disappointments. I need to blame my dad for naming me like this.
Speaking of my father, he visited here many years ago—about 40 years ago, in 1984—and he also visited Malaysia for ministry and so on. So I have a very dear heart for Ang Mo Kio. It has been one of my dreams for a long time to come and visit Ang Mo Kio. We were here last September with my wife and two boys, and we really enjoyed our time here. I am sorry my wife and boys could not be with me this morning, but I brought my dear friend and brother in Christ, Danny Ladicari, and I am sure you will enjoy getting to know him.
Setting the Context: The Passover and a Busy World
Today and next week, we will be looking at some of the details of the Passover meal.
I am not sure if it is just coincidental, but we had our biggest and most anticipated meal of the year in the United States—Thanksgiving—just before coming here. We usually have Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, but we were leaving on Thanksgiving Day to come be with you because we love you all so much. So we skipped dinner and had Thanksgiving lunch instead. We still had turkey, though.
It is interesting that when you look at the Passover meal in the Old Testament, in Exodus, the meal was to be eaten in haste. This was the first time in my entire life that I had my travel clothes on while carving the turkey. But we did not miss the turkey, and it was a joy to skip that and be with you.
Please open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 14. That is where we will be this morning and next week, Lord willing. We will begin in verse 12.
When you think of the world, it is a very busy place, isn’t it? Sometimes I get on the freeway and think, “There are so many people here.” I do not know where they are going, whose children they are, where they are coming from, or what their lives will be like next year. The world is a busy place.
You go to the airport and you see the same thing—people going to different parts of the world and coming from different parts of the world. Everyone is busy. One of the most frequent answers I hear when I ask people at Hillview on Sunday mornings, “How was your week?” is, “Busy.” I do not blame them, because that is often my answer as well.
Jesus in the Gospels: A Busy Savior
The Lord Jesus, especially in the Gospel of Mark, is portrayed as a very busy man. He was constantly on the move. Without being too technical, Mark uses the imperfect tense in Greek more than the other Gospels. Instead of saying “He went,” Mark often says “He was going.” Instead of “He said,” Mark says “He was saying.” The picture is that Jesus was continually engaged in the work the Father had given Him.
We are in Mark chapter 14 this morning, and I believe this chapter must be read with emotion. When we read the Gospel narratives, we need to enter into the emotional journey of the writers and experience the story as they recorded it.
Visualize everything that happened to the Lord Jesus in just one week:
He was betrayed by His own disciple, arrested, taken to the religious leaders, mocked, spat upon, scourged, handed over to the governor, and sentenced to die.
What an emotionally charged week that was.
This Passion Week was so significant that all four Gospel writers devote extended detail to it. This was the climax of the story of redemption.
Reading the Text: Mark 14:12–25
Let us pick it up in verse 12:
“On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, ‘Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?’
And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him…’”
[Scripture passage read as given]
May the Lord bless the reading of this beautiful passage.
The Significance of Passover
Look again at verse 12. The first day of Unleavened Bread was kicked off by the Passover meal. In Leviticus 23, we read about the seven feasts of the Lord. In the first month, Nissan, the Passover was celebrated.
Leviticus 23:4 says, “These are the appointed times of the Lord.” This was serious in Jewish culture. Year after year, the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were observed, pointing forward to a fulfillment.
The story of redemption is a beautiful panorama. Before the foundation of the world, God had a plan. When sin entered mankind, a Savior was promised. Throughout the Old Testament, we see types, shadows, and prophecies pointing to Christ.
When the time came for fulfillment, the Gospel writers recorded the details carefully. The Passover, instituted in Exodus 12, was called by God Himself “the Lord’s Passover.” It pointed forward to the day when Christ, our Passover, would be sacrificed for us.
John the Baptist declared, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” That day had arrived.
The Determination of Jesus to Fulfill His Mission
As Jesus entered His final week, His face was set like flint toward Jerusalem. He knew what awaited Him. This passage gives us a window into His heart and His determination.
This morning, I want us to focus on three ways Jesus’ mission moved forward.
The disciples asked, “Where do You want us to prepare the Passover?” Jesus directed them to a man who would show them a large, furnished, ready upper room.
That homeowner became an integral part of Jesus’ journey to the cross. What a privilege—to open your home for the Lord’s work. He yielded his best room, his resources, his comfort.
Only heaven will reveal the blessing that flowed from that simple act of obedience.
God has always used willing people. Scripture says of David, “I have found David… a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.”
God still uses people who are willing to offer their resources, strength, and abilities. The gospel is a simple message, supported by simple yet generous people of God.
God builds His church—but the question is: Are you part of that journey?
As they reclined at the table, Jesus said, “One of you will betray Me.”
Betrayal is a strong word. Disappointment is one thing; betrayal cuts deep. Jesus was betrayed by someone who knew Him intimately, fulfilling Psalm 41:9.
Yet Jesus was not deterred. His face remained set toward Jerusalem. The mission the Father had given Him would be accomplished.
As they ate, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and said, “This is My body.”
Luke records Jesus’ words: “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” This was a passionate longing.
Between that meal and the kingdom to come stood the cross—blood, suffering, and sacrifice. Christ, our Passover, would be sacrificed once for all.
Jesus instituted the new covenant, fulfilling the promise of Jeremiah 31. This covenant is unconditional, secured by His blood, and offers full forgiveness.
Aren’t you glad this morning that you are part of the new covenant?
The Importance of the Breaking of Bread
This meeting we share this morning is deeply important. The Lord’s Supper points to Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. It calls us to reflection, recalibration, and introspection.
Do not take it lightly. Jesus earnestly desired this meal because of what it represents.
The Father gave Jesus a mission, and He accomplished it. Now He has entrusted us with the ministry of reconciliation.
Closing Prayer
Let us pray.
Our Father in heaven, we thank You for the Lord Jesus—our only hope, the mediator of the new covenant, the same yesterday, today, and forever. We thank You for the testimony and gospel witness of this assembly. Help us to be like the owner of the house, willing to give what we have so that Your mission may advance. Strengthen us to be faithful to the ministry You have entrusted to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.