Image from facebook.com/FBCLeesSummit
Hear the devotional here: https://bit.ly/3ZKaZj0
View the devotional here: https://bit.ly/437QIH5
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” 6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. (Matthew 26:1-16 NIV)
Okay, today is Thursday, and I really covered this on Monday, so we'll pretend it is Wedneday because on this day the events happened that impacted what led us to Friday. The first event of the day is the revelation by Jesus that He is to die after He is handed over to be crucified. This passage does not share the reaction or comments by the Disciples, who more than likely knew this day was coming soon. Yet, those remarks more than likely stung. No one likes to hear notice that a loved one is going to die. This is the emotion of this week, what is also known as the passion of the Lord. We cannot forget the passion of the Twelve, yes, even including Judas Iscariot. Down the street at First Church, the religious council is meeting. The agenda for the meeting was brief. One item: Arrest Jesus with intent to have Him executed. And do it in secret.
And later the day at another location, Jesus is at the home of Simon the Leper. Some wonder if he was a former Pharisee or a relative of Mary, Martha and Lazarus; one thing we know that he was now healed of his illness. While Jesus is there a woman comes in with an alabaster jar filled with very expensive perfume which she pours on the head of Jesus. The disciples were angered at this and they even asked, "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." Jesus only says that the woman had "done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to preare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." And here we are in this current year remembering this deed done for Jesus back in Jesus' time.
The last event was perhaps the most sad. One of Jesus' handpicked disciples, goes to the church and enters the meeting room and asked what they would pay him for turning Jesus over to them. The council counts out thirty pieces of silver and hands it to him. Judas knew what to do. He would find the most opportune time to hand Jesus over, and we know the rest of the story.
PRAYER: Loving God, our hearts break at this story; how relgious men instead of teaching love, mercy, compassion and life, are plotting death. And a trusted friend, co-worker and fellow laborer among the hand selected team to spread God's good news is helping be a part of that plot. But we forget that we too, at times, and in different ways, convince ourselves that we are good even though through our actions are also betraying Jesus. Forgive us we pray, and help us be truly a part of that which brings life to people; in Christ JEsus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Betray your evil self by giving it to Jesus, Who will forgive you and bless you; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
Tonight your church may be offering a worship service that will bless you; seek one out and be blessed. As we pray let us pray for the family of The Rev. Larry Lacy, who died March 31, 2023 in Austin. Larry was a dear colleague of mine when I was brand new in ministry. I was hired by the board and appointed to be the campus ministry at the United Methodist Campus Ministry at then-Pan American University in Edinburg. Larry was the senior pastor at First UMC in Edinburg and was a loving and supportive friend to Nellie and me, and served faithfully on our board of trustees for the campus ministry. Larry offered his pulput to me on numerous occasion to preach at his church. May God comfort his bride, Stephanie and their family.
