Several years ago, Dr. Claude Thompson, distinguished member of the faculty at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, received the report from a team of physicians that he had only a short time to live. Each day, each moment, became precious to him. No movement was without meaning, and his words were chosen carefully. He knew he was going to die. There were some things he wanted to say to his students and colleagues, and in a heroic act of eleventh-hour witness, he addressed the seminary community. As a man on his way to a certain death, he wanted to be sure that some essential things were laid down before his departure. When the time is short, only essentials matter.
Jesus was to have only a few short hours with his disciples. He knew it. The shadow of the cross was lengthing, and in three particular portions of Mark chapter 14, we observe three familiar incidents which will forever remain in our memories as pertaining to our Lord’s last meeting with the twelve. Strangely enough, each of them touches upon loyalty.
1. 14:22-25. There was the Passover meal which Jesus dramatically transformed into a messianic banquet which we have come to know as the "Lord’s Supper." Let us assume all the symbolisms and transitions of this meal in order to hurry on to say that the meal was a call to loyalty. "Do this in rememberance of me," he said. "Continue this sacrament," he urged so that the coals of ministry would not burn low in his absence. Early Christians observed the sacrament several times daily. Today, some communions partake of the elements each Sunday, others each first Sunday of the month, and still others quarterly. The fact that the sacrament was considered as an "essential" ought to challenge us to rethink our own loyalty to it.
2. 14:29-31. Here we encounter Peter’s false loyalty, his claim that even though all others would fall away, he would remain loyal. The Scriptures betray him, for we see him later squirming uncomfortably around an unfriendly fire, praying that no one would recognize him. Three times he denied Christ after swearing absolute loyalty. When the last record shall be tallied, the essential concern will be how loyal we were to Christ.
3. 14:32-36. "Remove this cup from me," Jesus prayed in the garden; alone, broken-hearted ... knowing that all too soon the shadows would come alive with figures who would jerk him away for a final charade. But let us finish Jesus’ prayer; "Remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt." Radical loyalty, absolute obedience. In the shadow of the Cross, we see the essentials emerging. Loyalty is one. Can you name others?