I could have started off with Palm Sunday. I started here, as I think this is where it truly begins. Jesus is taking a weekend to relax & reflect, as He prepares for the week ahead. He is also prepared for the week ahead…and so here we go…..
Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. –John 12:1-3
Jesus shows for dinner, and i'm sure some much needed down time to visit with friends. He stays at simon’s house—who once was an outcast with leprosy, and visits with close friends. As He is there mary takes a very expensive perfume & pours it onto Jesus feet. (pause & picture it)
There are many reasons why this took place
(1) Service: she recognizes her King, her Messiah, and honors Him this way, by anointing Him as King. Done in the private, not in public, as Jesus does not need the approval of Men, but obeys according to His Father in heaven.
(2) While anointing Jesus as King she is also preparing him for Burial, and she understands what He has come to do, and what He must do. I can only imagine what she felt, maybe both sadness, and honor she was chosen for this task.
(3) I believe Jesus also wanting to re-enforce from past teachings that giving freely is from the heart, and otherwise is not giving freely. Mary showed great service and gratitude to our King. I believe there are two reason Mary is remembered for this; 1) she showed great faith, and gratitude to our King. 2) A life lesson for us to live and learn over, and again.
We know this because Judas and the others complained about the so-called mis-use of the perfume. Judas of course justifying the complaining by stating it could have been used for the poor. When in reality if you read on in john. 12:4-8 you will see that judas just wanted the money for himself. Jesus defended her with these words: “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:7-8
He tells the disciples and us again here…He is getting ready to be crucified, and it’s one day closer to real, as she as prepared me in advance for my burial. He shoots down judas’ excuse for the money by telling judas and the others that He is the reason in this season, and the poor will still be here after this week is gone. You can serve them then. Sadly we see the disciples would not fully understand this day until much later. Focusing on "material", not the "mission"
In closing on day 10, it is not just a time for friends, and family. It was also a time for Jesus to prepare for the week that would last eternity. It was a day for Jesus to teach "others before yourself" the very thing Jesus is being prepared for this weekend. Mary’s mission was to prepare and serve Jesus. Jesus defends those like Mary…honest…humble…faithful…courageous….great-full who are full of gratitude for their King….a King that will soon return the favor in a way that can’t be measured.
The next day-saturday is the sabbath, nothing much is mentioned in the gospels..Jesus would have spent this day in traditional fashion with friends & family, mostly likely still at simon's home with Lazuras, mary, and martha.
Lord willing...i will see you sunday for The Palms of Praise
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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, NLT Translation Use discernment (Acts 17:11, 1 Thes. 5:21).
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