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Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, ‘Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.’But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’ Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I betray him to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:6-16)
Dear Friend, it is Wednesday of Holy Week! And today's passage gives us two key events in the day of Jesus during this week. May this passage serve to strengthen us and nurture us to move onward and upward!
The first event is the anointing at Bethany. Bethany is within walking distance to Jerusalem and the Temple. Jesus is at the home of Simon the leper, no doubt one who was healed by Jesus for he is among the living and not among the graves of the dead as was required by law. A woman, some suspect she is Mary Magdalene, comes and pours ointment on Jesus' head; taken by some to be symbolic of the preparation for His death. But that was missed by those, and some suspect Judas Iscariot as being one of the loud ones who exclaimed, "Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." Many doubt Judas was concerned about the poor. Jesus replies that the woman has done a good service for Him, and confirms it is preparation for His burial. The poor, Jesus said, will always be with us, but whenever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, she will be held in remembrance. This was when the second, and sad event, occurs. Judas slips out of the house and goes to the nest of the enemies and haggles with them over a price for Jesus if he turned Him in to them. They settle on 30 pieces of silver, and Judas begins to seek the right opportunity to turn Jesus over to them. This is why today is called "Spy Wednesday."
Why? And could it have been me or you? We don't know for sure now, but some has theorized that Judas was a Zealot and had joined the band of disciples to seek that which would begin a true and final revolt against the Romans and rid the land of them. He saw in Jesus the power and potential to lead such a revolt and he may have thought that all he needed to do was to call Jesus' hand, and that would happen when they arrested Him. It may have also been a get rich quick scheme; fast money for a simple action. Whatever the motive it worked to begin the process of Jesus' trial, suffering, and death. And that sets the stage for resurrection.
PRAYER: Awesome God, the stage is set for glory; let us be in on that. We pray forgiveness for those times we have betrayed Jesus with our words or actions, when we have shown others doubt about our faith and maybe even caused others to sin. Grant us this day as a new opportunity for good. And may we begin to bring honor and glory to You even now. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Spy for opportunities to share Jesus with those who need Him. You might not have to look very far!
Eradio Valverde
PRAYER REQUEST: Dear one, I ask you join us in praying for Jerry Fogle who is battling cancer. A report last evening showed more tumors, including some in his lungs. Pray for Jerry and his family and for all the Fogle family. We trust the Lord and we seek to glorify God even in this. Pray for one another, and at this writing the thunder and rain are proving that flash floods could be in our area. Pray for those who have no shelter and for those who have to drive to work and to school. Thank you for your service as servants of the Lord in your prayer ministry!
