Reading: Mark 14:1-31
Context: How does the woman’s anointing of Jesus contrast with Judas’s betrayal preparations?
What a fascinating set of circumstances. The woman doesn’t know she’s anointing Jesus for burial; she’s offering a heartfelt expression of devotion to Jesus. She loves Him and is keen to express that in a lavish, expensive and deep way. She’s also not that bothered by what others think, because her eyes are on Jesus and she’s all about expressing love to Him. Mercy attracts lavish love. That’s just how it works. It’s beautiful.
Judas, on the other hand, is sneaky, nasty, duplicitous, and shady, actually seeking to profit from betraying his friend and teacher. Judas has his eyes on himself as he goes to set up the business, and Jesus’ words to him highlight just what a big mistake it was for Judas to pursue that path. It is important to acknowledge that what Judas does is in great contrast to the woman, for what he does is despicable. Same room, same Jesus, two different hearts. One breaks a jar open in love. The other breaks a covenant open for cash. Proximity to Jesus never guaranteed loyalty to Him — Judas proves that in real time.
Content: What new meaning does Jesus give to the Passover meal elements of bread and wine?
The Passover is now all about who Jesus is and what He has done for us. The bread and wine are now pointing to His body and blood. The significance of this is monumental. It’s a whole new way of considering the elements, one that goes far beyond what defines a nation; it now defines a people who choose to submit to His rule in all things. The body of Christ broken. The blood of Jesus, shed. Something initiated before He committed the acts, but something that now marks our connection and relationship with Him, making this a moving and significant reality to absorb.
And He does this with the betrayer still at the table. Covenant love, spoken over covenant-breaking. That tells you exactly who this new covenant is for — not the flawless, but the failing.
Passover used to look backwards, to Egypt and deliverance long gone. Jesus now points it forward. Every time we take the bread and the cup, we’re not just remembering history. We’re declaring whose we are, until He comes.
Concept: How does Jesus demonstrate both divine foreknowledge and human emotion regarding His approaching death?
He knows what He’s going to do – He knows it full well as He explains it for the umpteenth time to His disciples. This equips Him to share His feelings about it in Gethsemane. He can be troubled and burdened and emotional about it, and He can confess to the Father that He would rather not have to deal with the cup. It’s the heavenly focus that draws him back to pursuing the heavenly will rather than His own.
Knowing didn’t numb Him. That’s the part worth sitting with. He isn’t sleepwalking to the cross unaware of the cost; He feels every ounce of it and still says yes. Not what I will, but what you will. That’s the whole of discipleship in six words.
Conclusions: What does Peter’s overconfident declaration teach about human weakness and the need for humility?
Peter’s reaction is understandable. It’s about being one to show that you’ve got the cojones to do whatever it takes without ever really thinking through what’s going on. It’s necessary for this exchange to take place for Jesus to expose Peter to Peter. Just as experiences in our lives are specifically designed to lovingly show us what we’re really like when it comes to the crunch.
No rebuke here, though. No shame either. Jesus just states it plainly, gently, because the fall itself will teach Peter what the warning couldn’t. That’s often how God works with us too.
And here’s the grace in it: Jesus predicts the denial without writing Peter off. He even prays for Peter’s faith beforehand. So if you’ve ever made the bold promise and then crumbled — take heart. Failure isn’t the final word. It’s often the very tool God uses to strip away the swagger and grow something real.
Humility helps us to think twice before making statements that give the impression that we’ve got it going on and can handle anything. Humility helps us take a sober consideration of what will happen and entrust ourselves to the mercies of God. Hopefully, as we grow in knowing Jesus, we’ll grow to see the importance of the humble approach. Hopefully.
Next time:
Episode Twenty-Four: Gethsemane, Trial, and Crucifixion
Reading – Mark 14:32-15:47
Whether it’s devotion, rejection or betrayal, it is reassuring to know that as we break bread and drink the wine, we express our unity in Christ until He returns. This is why it’s of vital importance that we take His Word In so we can live the Word Out.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
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