April 13, 2022 (Wednesday)
After the jubilant entry to Jerusalem on Sunday of Holy Week, the aggressive 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. (Many scholars place this event earlier in the week).
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? We know that what she did was an expression of her love for Jesus. The first verse of the hymn, “I Love Thee,” expresses her feelings:
I love Thee, I love Thee, I love Thee, my Lord;
I love Thee, my Savior, I love Thee, my God:
I love Thee, I love Thee, and that Thou dost know;
but how much I love Thee my actions will show.
Whatever the reason for Mary’s loving action, Jesus explained it as an anointing of his body for burial (which would take place in two days). He said, “When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial” (Matthew 26:12).
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 in exchange for 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. So it was; so it is.
Mary expressed her love for Jesus and we express ours. Here is a medley of songs about loving Jesus:
The Hebrew calendar is based upon cycles of the moon and sun, and can seem complicated at times. The Jewish faith observes Passover this year April 15-23. Passover fell on a Thursday during the week of the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus met with His disciples for Passover and instituted The Lord’s Supper (also called Communion or Eucharist). We call it Maundy (from the word, mandate) Thursday, because Jesus gave us a new commandment on that night: “Love One Another.”
A Seder meal with all the family is an important part of modern Passover. Dates for the Seder this year will be April 15-16. Pandemic restrictions on meeting together may have an impact upon the observance this year. Let us pray for our friends who observe this Biblical day.