As we continue to work through this week, here’s how we can think about:
(See Matthew 26:6-16, Mark 14:3-11, Luke 22:3-6.)
The past several days have been a rush of tension and anger for Jesus’ opponents and of unflinching resolve for Jesus. Words have been His currency, and He has spent piles of them. But on the Wednesday before His death, Jesus was still.
He was in the home of Simon the Leper, a man known by what was wrong with him. During their meal together, Mary of Bethany, Lazarus’ sister, (Jn 12:3) came to Jesus with an alabaster flask of perfume. She had been saving this perfume, worth a year’s wages, for this very occasion. (Jn 12:7) She began to pour the perfume on Jesus’ head and feet, which required breaking open its container. (Mk 14:3) Like popping the cork on a $20,000 bottle of champagne, this was a very intentional act. She was there to deliberately offer Jesus everything she had. By giving to Jesus her most valuable possession, she was expressing that she knew what He was about to give of Himself was for her.
What Mary did was beautiful and Jesus wanted everyone to know it. She was preparing Him for burial. There was honor and kindness in her gesture. He returned the honor by saying history would never forget her act of beauty. And we haven’t.
As a practical way to continue to think through this week, TVC Children’s Blog gives this idea:
This evening: Brush your teeth. Put on your pajamas. Find a room without windows (like a bathroom).
Then gather as a family and read about Jesus predicting His death. Using a flashlight, read John 12:20-36 in the dark.
1) What is about to happen to Jesus?
2) Does Jesus know that He is about to die?
3) How does He feel?
4) What does He pray to the Father?
5) How does the Father respond?
6) What does Jesus call others to do once He, the Light, has left?
7) Who are some people you know or have heard about who are children of light?
8) What does it look like to be children of light?
Let’s continue looking to Jesus this week as we think about His work for us.