Devotion or Betrayal

We are in the midst of Holy Week, the week that leads up to the trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus. It is a time for me of reflection about the events of that week. According to the traditional thought, we see Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. the religious plot to kill Jesus, the Last Supper, the betrayal and arrest, the trial, the crucifixion and then the resurrection. In my mind, the Wednesday during that Holy Week was an interesting day. We see in recorded in Matthew 26:6-16.

Matthew 26:6–16 NIV84

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

First notice the prediction of Jesus: the Son of Man will be crucified during Passover. What was passover?

A yearly holy day set apart for the Israelites to observe the Exodus from Egypt, particularly the passing over of the Israelite firstborn males when the firstborn of Egypt were struck down in the last of ten plagues.

The Passover was celebrated in remembrance of God freeing His people from Egypt.

Numbers 9:2 NIV84

“Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time.

John 11:55 NIV84

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.

Second, notice the anointing Jesus received. We see from a parallel account in John’s gospel that it was Mary that gave Jesus this anointing.

John 12:3 NIV84

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Mary went to a great expense to anoint Jesus with precious oil. It was probably her entire dowry, which would have been her entire future. Would you be willing to give Jesus your entire future? Well that is exactly what we need to do!

Matthew’s account indicates that there were several disciples that thought this was a waste. John’s gospel names Judas Iscariot as the one who complained. I think it is safe to think that even though Judas is named there were others that thought the same. I am reminded of the fact of how negativity breeds negativity. How quick an ill word catches fire and ignites a bunch of negativity. There was no place for that among the Disciples and there should not be so among the disciples of the the Lord today!

Third, notice the plan to betray Jesus is revealed. Apparently, Judas thought this might be a time that he could make some money. So he goes to the religious leaders to sell out.

I saw this quote that sums up the difference in Mary’s anointing and Judas’ betrayal:

“Great is the cost of devotion, but cheap is the price of betrayal.”

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

According to Exodus 21:32, that was equivalent for the price of a slave.

Exodus 21:32 NIV84

If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull must be stoned.

This, by the way, was prophesied by Zechariah.

Zechariah 11:12–13 NIV84

I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord to the potter.

That is about $200 today. Maybe it was about a month’s wages in the time of Judas. He decided to sell out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. An instant gratification. Mary on the other hand, used her entire future to anoint Jesus.

What do you give?