At Simon's home in Bethany, the disciples were having dinner. Mary came in and broke open her alabaster jar of perfume and anointed Jesus with it (Mark 14:1-3). This caused quite a stir since it was common for a "common person" in Jesus' day, to save up all of her life for her burial perfume. What she poured out cost around 300 denarii (1 years wages for a common laborer). In our state (Florida), the minimum wage is presently $7.21/hr. So, based on a 40 hour work week, the amount in today's terms is right at $15,000. Not only was it costly, but the perfume was saved so that a body could be covered with it after death. The perfume would cover the stench produced as the body decomposed, since there was no practice for preservation. (Now you know why Martha was concerned when Jesus told them to re-open Lazarus' grave! She thought that the body would already be decaying and that the smell would be overwhelming.)
So Mary's gift was not only one of great expense, but also one of great humility (Mark 14:4-9). As such, her act is an ongoing testimony for all of us. This is the model of devotion, humility, sacrifice...WORSHIP that we are given as an example.
In Mark 14:12-26 we see the last passover and its evolution to the Lord's Supper. The bread that Jesus broke was the piece of unleaven bread which is hidden in the beginning of the meal and rediscovered/found at the end of the meal. In the same way that the bread was hidden and then came to light again, so Jesus' Body would be buried and resurrected. (This is My Body...takes on new significiance). The Cup was the Cup of Blessing which is the last cup of the passover. Jesus said that the blessing of God was the New Covenant in His Blood.
In Mark 14:27-51, we see Jesus' prophesy that the disciples would all abandon Him. Peter protests, but ultimately does exactly as Jesus stated. Notice though, that the disciples never intended to fail Christ. They did not set out with limited commitment. They were absolutely committed in their strength; however, their strength was insufficient for the task.
Jesus' "mock" trial and Peter's denial is recorded in Mark 14:53-72. Much confusion has come about through the years over verse 71. Some believe that when Peter "cursed," that he used profanity. Not so. He emphatically denied Jesus and swore by a curse (i.e. "I swear this, and if I am lying, may I lose everything that I have, -or- may I die the death of a beggar"). The point is not his choice of words, but that he progressively denied even knowing Jesus to the point of the strongest and most emphatic denial possible.
(Interesting to me that Jesus knew this in advance, told Peter in advance, and chose Peter anyway to be the powerful preacher of Pentecost.)
Proverbs 24:17-18 is the takeaway today. I was reminded in reading this how we often take "disagreement" personally. Someone told me this week that he was going to work against a particular politician in the next election (in a couple of years). I wondered how one could pray effectively for this leader and support any of his decisions in the future if he has already decided BASED ON ONE VOTE that the man is unworthy of his support. I disagreed with the vote as well...but does it have to be personal? The official's vote is just one of many wrong votes...if God's people do not intercede for him and beg God to convict his heart and guide him in the paths of righteousness. Did this man become our enemy? Is He evil? Are we to hope for his failure...by not praying for his success and usefulness in this season? We are called to think differently and to weep with the calamity that befalls those who live outside of the blessing of God.
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3 comments:
so mark 14 1-3! nothing significant to be pulled from the fact that it was the "last supper" and the perfume was to be used to pour over dead bodies. (dead man walking) sort of thing. Mary having already accepted like at a heart level that christ was going to die. only hanging out here because the smell from a rotting corpse in the dining room would probably end dinner, so likewise would a perfume that is intended to overpower the smell of a dead body.
Shea,
Thanks for the post. Not sure what you are 'stabbing at" on the commentary. Did you have a thought you wanted to share...or did I do something wrong...or were you just fooling around? Let me know. Your thoughts are certainly important to me.
Grace,
so as I was reading this morning I was thinking of how intriging the story is, not the first time I have heard this but I was deep in thought. Pouring over every word.
I like your point about Peter and how God still used him in amazing ways. I am ashamed to say I have denied Christ before with my actions like Peter and it is always refreshing to see God use people with sin like mine.
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