Betrayal

May 4, 2018

Mark 14:1-11

Betrayal is more common than most of us think, and it is done for many reasons, to gain favor with the other group, to get a reward, or to reveal something.  If you think about it, that is why many people do not let others into their lives, it opens the door to be hurt, by someone you trust.

Now the Passover is going to happen in two days and what are these religious leaders planning, to kill Jesus?  But they are unsure of the people, and what they will do, so they hesitated to act.

Jesus is at the house of Simon and was reclining at the table when a woman known as Mary of Bethany pours expensive perfume on his head and it is in John 12:2-3.  The gospel of Mark tells us it is worth about 300 denarii and one denarius was a day’s wage for an ordinary worker.  Now people, maybe disciples and Judas Iscariot were not happy with this act of love.  We know Judas was a thief and would have enjoyed having that money, because He was the treasurer of the twelve disciples.  (Note: Be aware of the person who only cares about how the money is spent at your church)

Listen to what Jesus had to say to those people; “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.  For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.  She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.   And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Once more Jesus is sharing with both His disciples and a group of people that His death is close.  If you’re a thief and looking forward to your leader becoming the head of state, and He keeps talking about His death, a thief wants to cash in.  And that is what Judas did he went to the high priest and made a deal to sell-out Jesus for 30 silver coins.  From that day on he looked for a way to betray Jesus.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice