WATCHWORD:
2 A banquet was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus sat at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took a jar of costly perfume made from essence of nard, and anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples—the one who would betray him—said, 5 “That perfume was worth a fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor, but he was in charge of the disciples’ funds and often dipped into them for his own use! 7 Jesus replied, “Let her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial. 8 You can always help the poor, but I won’t be with you very long.” John 12:2-8
Meditation:
Jesus on Wednesday
The Bible doesn’t say what the Lord did on this Wednesday of Holy Week. Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of the remaining days of the Passover festivities.
Jesus, by raising Lazarus from the grave, had revealed to the disciples, and the world, that he had power over death. After seeing this incredible miracle, many people in Bethany believed that Jesus was the Son of God and put their faith in him. The Pharisees saw this growing popularity as a threat, and met with Judas Iscariot who agreed to betray Jesus and was paid 30 pieces of silver.
We know that in the evening, Jesus, along with Lazarus and his sisters, attended a celebration dinner at the home of Simon the Leper. Toward the end of the meal, Mary lovingly anointed the feet of Jesus with oil of spikenard, an expensive perfume. The disciples were indignant. “What a waste of good money,” they said. “Why, she could have sold it for a fortune and given it to the poor. Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why are you criticizing her? For she has done a good thing to me.”
Jesus and his disciples then remained in Bethany for the night.
(Based on Biblical facts from sources including Matthew, Isaiah, and the historic writings of Josephus.)
Barabbas on Wednesday
There had been other demonstrations, disrupting the normal daily activities around The Marketplace, The Citadel, Herod’s Palace, even near the Great Temple. Bloodshed was a common occurrence. Often the leader of the riotous gatherings was Barabbas, always in the middle of it, often blindly acting out of anger, seeking revenge.
And now, what Shania had feared the most, had come to pass. There had been another demonstration, another confrontation, a violent and bloody fight, and Barabbas had been arrested. The Romans had been waiting for him. His reputation as a dangerous man was well known. Within hours of his arrest, Herod ordered that there would be an immediate trial. He was charged with inciting a riot, theft and murder, was found guilty on all counts, and sentenced to death, death by crucifixion. The sentence to be carried out before the Sabbath.
Barabbas sat in his prison cell, stunned and angry. Then a thought that further deepened his anger; that last demonstration, he was sure he had been betrayed by those he trusted. It had been a peaceful demonstration that had gone according to plan until…it had all fallen apart with the unexpected arrival of a squad of guards. With no provocation and without warning, they attacked the quiet demonstrators, who defended themselves. They were badly outnumbered, and, after a short skirmish, all had fled. But, as if planned, Barabbas, alone, had been captured. It seemed obvious that he had been the target. In anger, he lifted his fist in the air and shook it in the face of cruel fates. Who had betrayed him?
(An excerpt from Stan Escott’s novel A Life for Barabbas, based on Biblical facts and a general understanding of human nature.)
Prayer of Forgiveness:
Father, we are sinners, but we also have been sinned against. We bring before You the pain of where we have been wronged. By Your grace, help us to wring out our pain at the foot of the cross of Jesus. Father, thank You that our many sins can be forgiven through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
