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The Last Week Before The Crucifixion: What Are You Doing For Jesus?
3/27/2015

Daily Devotions:by Christina Farris

John 12:1-11 KJV
(1) Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
(2) There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
(3) Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
(4) Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
(5) Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
(6) This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
(7) Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
(8) For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
(9) Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
(10) But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
(11) Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

We begin the last week before Passover and the crucifixion celebration. No one perhaps understands the sacredness of this week except those that believe. Many have seen passion plays, without fully grasping the meaning, other then an innocent man died like in the story of Brave Heart. I would rather not use that comparison, but it is a reflection of the hero dying for his conviction, and for his well doing and in Jesus’ case the performance of miracles and bringing the dead back to life. Any good doer that seem to rise to the top, will meet opposition to what they are doing. Jesus’ journey to the cross had to do with the opposition to the religious leaders fearing Jesus’ control. They would loose their power if the work of Jesus’ continued. In some ways that continue on even today. No one wants to be pushed out of society if they reach power and prestige, and wealth. Yet it is a fact of life that soil in water goes through a shifting ever fall and spring causing most ponds, and lakes to look dirty. Leaders fight to gain control, they look for ways to destroy those with strength. If they stand without falling then then those fighting for power have failed. If those fighting for control failed to reach the top. Jesus was facing certain death. He did not run, He did not hid, in fact He began to prepare for death.

Mary of Bethany anoint Jesus feet a week before the crucifixion at supper. Jesus earlier that month had raised Lazareth back to life. No doubt the rumors had spread that the religious leaders sought Jesus’ life. No doubt when Mary anointed the feet of Jesus, she understood not the purpose of why she anointed his feet as the whore had in the year of popularity. She gave her best in honor of Jesus. Yet did she understand this would be the only anointing for burial He would have, other then the few spices put on by the Nicodemus and Joseph of Armathaea who helped bury him. For the spices the women would bring to purify the body in the tomb would never happen, because of the resurrection. This woman Mary of Bethany loved Jesus and anointed his feet and dried his feet with her hair. Judas Iscariot could only see money going down the drain and felt there was better uses for the money if the perfume had been sold.

Jesus defended Mary of Bethany’s action, even speaking prophetically that her story would be told for years to come in memory of her. How she had anointed him for burial. How she prepared him with her act of love for Lord with an expensive bottle of perfume. What story will be told about you and your faith long after you are gone. Mary’s story is marked. What about your story? What are you doing for Jesus? Are you living For Him. Will the work you do be told to glorify Him.

Dear Heavenly Father help us be a living testimony for you. Let our light so shine forth the works of your hands. In Jesus precious name, Amen.