The Passion Week - Saturday

Here we are again, facing the time of year that Christians celebrate the Passion of the Christ. The Gospel accounts give attention to this important event. Of the 89 chapters in the Gospels, only 4 record the first 30 years of His life. Yet, they give almost 1/4 of the chapters to the final week to His resurrection. Obviously this is vital and important for us. Over the next few days (until Easter Sunday), we are going to walk with the Master. Using the timeline as developed by Dr. Harold Willmington, let us remember and be ministered too.

On Saturday of the week, we find the account of His anointing by Mary in Bethany. We need to pause and read the account in John 12:1-8 and Mark 14:9. This is the only anointing His body would receive. Even though Jesus had warned many times about His suffering and death, apparently only Mary took Him seriously. The 300 denarii of oil was roughly a year's wages for the average Israelite. It has been estimated at 20 to 25 thousand dollars. She may have inherited - or it could have consisted of her entire life's savings.

In this account we also gain insight into Judas Iscariot. He was led by Satan and he was a shameless thief and hypocrite. So, as we ponder this day in the life of our Lord, notice the contrast. Mary, believed what He said, and in her love acted lavishly toward Him. She was not ashamed to show the depth of her love, and was willing to go to great lengths to sacrifice and give her all to the Savior. On the other hand, we see Judas, a man who had walked and sat at the feet of Jesus for years. By outward appearances he should have been considered a follower of the Master, the Rabbi. Yet his inward heart did not match the outward show.

Let us muse over where we are today. As we read this account, meditate and seek to let the Lord open your heart and life. What do you see? Are you a Mary - or a Judas? 

Prayer: Precious Holy Spirit, hold the light of Your search over my heart. I am wanting to be pure, and a true follower of Jesus. Show me any area where I am more like Judas than Mary. Remove any trace of the self-centered, hypocritical heart from my being. Help me to be attentive, to be love Him lavishly, to give my all - holding nothing back - to live and work for my Master. I pray in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.