The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…” John 1: 29, NKJV
Precious Lord, it has been with grateful hearts that we have been following Your steps remembering the events of the last week of Your life. Please continue to speak to us, for Christ’s sake. Amen
Today is Wednesday. Realizing He has but a short time left with His disciples, and that there is so much left to be said, Jesus continues to speak in parables. He must be careful to avoid the traps set by the religious leaders. He likened Himself to the chief cornerstone, which at the building of the first temple, was rejected by the builders, but afterward was found to be the missing stone; indispensable for holding in place all the other stones, and for holding up the weight of the entire temple. He confirmed that the first and greatest commandment was love to God; and the second, love to one’s neighbor, in the measure that you love yourself. He made it plain that David called Him Lord, therefore, He could not be David’s son. Then there were the seven woes pronounced upon the Pharisees, “white-washed sepulchers!” He warns His disciples to “beware of the Scribes.” And in the midst of His teachings, He took note of the widow’s mite, and blessed her.
Then came the parallel signs of the destruction of Jerusalem, and of the end of the world: The walls of the temple would be destroyed, not one stone would be left upon another, wars, and rumors of war, pestilences, false prophets, persecutions, signs in the heavens, the worldwide preaching of the gospel. Parables of the end of the world: The unfaithful servant was not ready for His Master’s appearing – therefore, “Watch!” Virgens forget to fill their lamps with oil, and are left outside – so be prepared! Do not be like the slothful servant who buried his talent – invest it, and watch it multiply! And whatever else you do not do, please be kind, “to the least of these!” Then by God’s grace, you that have been faithful in the few, will be made ruler over much, and will hear the, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord!”
Perhaps the most significant event of today, however, is the dinner at the home of Simon the leper. Simon has been given back his life. Jesus healed him of his leprosy, and in gratitude, he is having this dinner in His honor. Jesus’ disciples are with Him. Lazarus is there. His sister Martha is serving. Somehow the word got out, and people from everywhere have come to see the one who “came back from the dead.” Mary is also present. She has saved every penny she could for a very long time, (perhaps an entire year). She purchased a most expensive alabaster box of spikenard to anoint Jesus. She washes His feet with her tears and dries them with her hair (John 12: 3. 4)! She heard Him announce His death. So she will do the best she can for Him, while He can appreciate it. She anoints His body for the burial. Wonderful expression of love to her dying Lord!
Judas, the disciple who handles the funds for the group starts a ripple of murmuring amoung the disciples, “Why was this waste? We could have sold this and given the proceeds to the poor.” He did not really care for the poor. The Bible says “he was a thief” (John 12: 6). With just a look, Jesus lets him know that He read his true intentions. Indignant, Judas leaves and makes arrangements to betray His Master (Mark 14: 10, 11).
Simon the leper, the host, is trying to decipher the situation. “If He (Jesus) was really a prophet, He would not allow this sinner to touch Him!” Well Simon, you should know, you wronged her, and started her in a life of sin (The Desire of Ages, p. 495)! Jesus, could have exposed him; but, “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3: 17). So instead, Jesus tells him a parable that shows the difference in the treatment received from this “sinner woman,” in comparison with that received from His self-righteous host. It all boils down to this: “To whom much is forgiven, the same loves much” (Luke 7: 47). “Simon, lovest thou Me?”
To all the murmurers He says, “Let her alone….she has done what she could,” and from generation to generation, what she has done will be preached in all the world in memory of her (Mark 14: 6-9).