Highlights:
Two days until Passover with Jesus as the ultimate Sacrificial Lamb (Mark 14:1). His prayer (14:36); betrayal, arrest, Peter's denial (14:10-11,43-72). Go . . . tell; Go ye into all the world (16:7,15)
Simon, a leper who had been healed by Jesus, lived in Bethany, a small town less than two miles south of Jerusalem on the slope of the Mount of Olives. Just a few days before Jesus was crucified, Simon invited Him and the apostles to his home for supper. As they sat eating, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard (perfume) very precious (costly); and she brake the box, and poured it on His head (Mark 14:3; also Matt. 26:6-13; John 12:1-8).
This ointment of spikenard was valued at more than 300 pence — about a year's wages for a common laborer (Mark 14:5; Matt. 20:2). Some . . . had indignation within themselves and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made (Mark 14:4)? John also records that it was Judas who spoke up, saying: Why was not this ointment sold . . . and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag (money purse), and bare what was put therein (John 12:5-6). To Judas, anything that was poured out upon Jesus was wasted; he coveted the money that the ointment might have brought. Jesus replied: Let her alone. . . . she hath wrought a good work on Me. . . . She hath done what she could (Mark 14:6,8).
The lost opportunity to sell the ointment and pocket the money, coupled with the strong rebuke from Jesus and the great honor bestowed upon Mary, probably angered Judas, who went unto the chief priests (14:10). Judas' reason for being one of the 12 apostles became clear when he said to the chief priests: What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? (Matthew 26:15-16). When they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money (14:11). The betrayal, and even the amount paid to Judas, had been foretold by one of the Lord's prophets 600 years earlier: I said unto them . . . give Me My price . . . So they weighed for My price thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12).
Our generation is no different than in the time of Jesus. Human nature remains the same. Every person must make the personal choice whether to accept or to reject Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives. The question asked by Pilate must still be answered: What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? (Matt. 27:22).
Thought for Today:
O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters (Jer. 17:13).
Word Studies:
14:31 spake the more vehemently protested emphatically; 14:65 buffet Him hit Him with their fists; 15:15 scourged whipped; 15:38 twain two; 16:16 damned condemned to eternal hell.
Cross References:
For Mark 14:27: See Zech. 13:7. Mark 14:62: See Ps. 110:1; Dan. 7:13. Mark 15:24: See Ps. 22:18. Mark 15:28: See Is. 53:12. Mark 15:29: See Ps. 22:7-8. Mark 15:34: See Ps. 22:1. Mark 16:19: See Ps. 110:1.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Henry Rogers • Government Officials: Rep. Patrick Murphy (PA) and Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR) • Country: Egypt (66 million) in northeastern Africa • Major languages: Arabic and English • Christians are not permitted to evangelize Muslims • 87.5% Muslim; 12% Christian; .5% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Give thanks and praise to the Lord (Ps. 92:1).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:34