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As we come to the end of our series on the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Scott Wiens walks us through chapters 14 and 15, a critical part of Mark’s fast-paced narrative that portrays Jesus’ journey to the cross. These chapters depict pivotal moments in Jesus’ life, from His anointing in Bethany to His betrayal, crucifixion, and burial. Throughout this journey, a theme emerges that deeply impacts our understanding of Jesus’ mission—His complete submission to the will of the Father.

From the outset, Mark’s Gospel provides a unique and powerful narrative of Jesus’ identity. And as Pastor Scott says, these two chapters bear witness to Jesus’ ultimate submission, something that resonates as both beautiful and humbling. We see Jesus, who has always been in control, willingly surrender to the events that lead to His death. This is the true essence of submission, one that is far from the world’s negative connotation of forced submission.

Chapters 14 and 15 begin with Mary Magdalene anointing Jesus at Bethany, a deeply symbolic act pointing to His forthcoming death. Judas’ betrayal is then set in motion, the Lord’s Supper is instituted, and Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. The pace quickens: Jesus is betrayed, arrested, denied by Peter, brought before Pilate, flogged, crucified, and ultimately buried.

It’s important to understand that through all of this, Jesus’ submission to the Father was not passive; it was a series of conscious, active decisions made for the glory of God and for our salvation. Let’s look at four significant examples that Pastor Scott highlighted from these two chapters where Jesus submitted to God’s will.

Jesus, fully aware of Judas’ betrayal, allowed it to proceed. In fact, Jesus even sent Judas to carry out his plan. During the Passover meal, Jesus tells the disciples, “One of you will betray me” (Mark 14:18). Despite the sorrow of the disciples and the acknowledgment from Judas, Jesus lets it happen. Pastor Scott emphasizes that Jesus could have stopped Judas if He wanted. Peter, a man who wielded a sword, was right there. But instead, Jesus knew that this betrayal was necessary for God’s plan to unfold—demonstrating a perfect act of submission to the Father.

Perhaps the most profound moment of Jesus’ submission occurs in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here, we see the fully human side of Jesus, struggling with the weight of what is to come. He prays, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). Jesus’ agony is evident, and He even sweats drops of blood, yet His decision remains firm—He yields to God’s will despite the emotional and physical cost.

This moment shows us that true submission is not always easy; it may bring agony and sacrifice. Pastor Scott encourages us to see that, like Jesus, we must trust that God’s will, even when difficult, is ultimately for His glory and our good.

When Judas arrives with soldiers, Jesus could have easily escaped. As Pastor Scott notes, Jesus even tells Peter that if He wanted, He could ask the Father for “more than twelve legions of angels” (Matthew 26:53). But instead, He allows Himself to be arrested. His submission is intentional, and His restraint is remarkable. Jesus knew that the path ahead was not for His benefit but for ours. He willingly chose to follow God’s plan and let the soldiers take Him away.

Finally, Jesus’ submission is on full display during His trial before Pilate. Pilate, bewildered by the accusations against Jesus, asks Him if He will defend Himself, but Jesus remains silent. Pastor Scott points out that this was Jesus’ last chance to save Himself, but He chose not to argue or plead. His decision to remain silent fulfilled the Scriptures and highlighted that He was committed to the Father’s plan, even at the cost of His own life.

Pastor Scott concludes by encouraging us to reflect on what Jesus’ submission means for our lives. Submission is a challenging concept, often misunderstood in today’s culture, but the submission Jesus demonstrated is rooted in love and trust. Submitting to Jesus requires us to deny ourselves. As Pastor Scott says, it’s not about a list of dos and don’ts—it’s about prioritizing God above all else. Jesus’ priorities should become our priorities, which means loving God, serving others, and letting go of selfish desires.

When we submit to Jesus, we become His bondservants. The apostle Paul often referred to himself as a bondservant of Christ, and Pastor Scott explains that we have two choices: either serve sin or serve God. There is no middle ground. True submission means placing ourselves fully under Jesus’ authority.

Lastly, submission extends to how we relate to others in the body of Christ. Ephesians 5:21 says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Pastor Scott challenges us to serve each other sacrificially, just as Jesus served us. This submission to one another is not about forced control, but about mutual respect, love, and humility.

Jesus’ submission to the Father was ultimately an act of love—for God and for us. As Pastor Scott concludes, we too are called to submit fully to God, trusting that His will is good, perfect, and for our ultimate joy. Submission may involve sacrifice, but it leads us to a deeper relationship with our Creator and allows us to reflect the love of Christ in our lives.

If you haven’t yet made the decision to follow Christ, Pastor Scott encourages you to consider what it means to submit to God and experience the true freedom that comes from surrendering to His loving plan.