Plans are laid—the authorities have determined they must arrest and kill Jesus; it is their Godly duty. Jesus retires to Bethany. There a woman anoints him with expensive ointment much to the chagrin of the other disciples it seems. They’re being frugal and worried about the poor! Judas sneaks out and makes a deal to deliver Jesus to the chief priests. Let this poignant story engage all of your being. As you walk smell the perfume, see Jesus’ head and face, feel the antagonism of the disciples, hear the jangle of coins Judas received, and taste the bile of betrayal.
Matthew tells the story in chapter 26, the first sixteen verses.
10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her." 14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, "What will you give me if I betray him to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver. (Matt. 26: 10-15)
Ponder as you walk: Two disciples, followers of the same Jesus, how did she get it but he didn’t? Can Jesus help you understand and untangle?
Reflect on what you get and what you don’t get about the Christ.
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