WEDNESDAY

“When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial” (Matthew 26:12).
After the jubilant entry to Jerusalem on Sunday of Holy Week, the aggresive cleansing of the Temple on Monday, and the climactic clash with the religious leaders on Tuesday, Jesus remained in Bethany and did not enter Jerusalem on Wednesday. He attended a banquet in his honor at the home of a man named, “Simon the Leper.” As they reclined on the floor around the table, in oriental style, Mary of Bethany entered the room with a very expensive jar filled with costly perfume, broke it, and annointed Jesus, wiping his feet with her hair. Was it an act of worship because she realized he was the Messiah, or was it simply because she was so very thankful for all the good things Jesus had done for her and her loved ones, or could it have been sorrow over his impending death that motivated her? Whatever the reason, Jesus explained it as an anointing of his body for burial (which would take place in two days).
Two days earlier, after Jesus drove out the animals, merchants and money changers from the Temple, the disciples seemed to see that action as a sign that Jesus was ready to assert himself as the Messiah, with the Romans next on his list of those he would conquer. They immediately began asking questions about it. The following day he boldly confronted the religious leaders. Revolution seemed to be in the air. Now he speaks of his burial. They are confused. Judas is even angry, and his anger drives him into Jerusalem to bargain for money with the Sanhedrin leaders about his betrayal of Jesus.
Everyone in Jerusalem went to bed Wednesday night thinking about Jesus. Some were confused and bewildered; others were determined to kill him. Thousands were only visiting Jerusalem for the Passover; Jesus was an object of passing interest to them. His disciples were determined to defend him and follow him to victory over their oppressors. Hardly anyone seemed to know the real Jesus, the Savior of the world, the true Passover, whose blood would be shed for all people of all time.
A poll today would reveal the same thoughts about Jesus by the people of this age. Some love him and follow him; others reject him. Thus it was; thus it is.

pic of charles March 25, 2013 (Monday)
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