R. H. Lightfoot (History and Interpretation in the Gospels [London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1934] p. 141) makes a summarizing statement that may introduce the so-called Passion narrative. “The passion is the supreme act of the Messiah, and conversely the Messiahship of Jesus is the explanation of the passion.” The sentence just quoted holds together a cluster of ideas we can profitably explore in any proclamation of Jesus’ last days. One
Mark 14:1–72