“As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to Him. ‘Listen,’ He said, ‘we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence Him to die. Then they will hand Him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day He will be raised from the dead.” Matthew 20: 17-19
Twelve men . . . personally chosen by Jesus, travel with him, talk to him, hear His teaching, and witness His miracles. Twelve men, whom Jesus directly explains what will happen to Him as they make their way to Jerusalem, hear these words, but do they really listen? They do follow His command to bring a donkey with her colt and watch Him ride into Jerusalem, being hailed by crowds as David’s heir, the Messiah King. Twelve men, who we might think should have known what Jesus was about, truly didn’t. Some fell asleep during Jesus’ time of agony in the Garden of Gethsemane where He sweat tears of blood, while all deserted Him when soldiers arrived to arrest Him and again when Jesus hung upon the cross. Twelve men—brave when Jesus’ was present and bold when anointed with the Holy Spirit . . . but for a while, fearful and clueless. One woman . . . who sat at Jesus’ feet, honored and worshiped Him as she listened to His every word, letting each sink deeply into her heart. (Luke 10:39) One woman, who watched Jesus’ command her brother, Lazarus, arise from the grave, perhaps intuitively knew that this was the last straw for the Pharisees who soon would demand His death in order to retain what they perceived as their power and authority in Judea. Thus, this one woman, Mary of Bethany, arrived at a dinner being held to honor Jesus at the home of Simon the Leper (Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9) holding a beautiful jar of precious nard in her hands: “Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with Him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray Him, said, ‘That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.’ Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. Jesus replied, ‘Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for My burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.’ ” John 12:1-8 (See footnote 1) Visualize Mary as she previously sat at Jesus’ feet not just hearing Jesus’ words, but truly listening. Can you better understand now why she would anoint Jesus’ feet with her best, most precious perfume, then wipe them with her hair? With complete faith that this man was God, she desired to honor Him with her best. So I picture Mary in my mind, humbly sitting on the floor at Simon’s, with heavy heart and tears pouring from her eyes, performing this self-sacrificing act—Jesus’, her Lord, had to be anointed before He walked forth into His destiny. Twelve men and one woman--can we learn anything from them? Indeed, I believe we can from both and in so doing, imitate the best in each. VERSES Matthew 16:21 “From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem, and that He would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day He would be raised from the dead.” Mark 9:30-32 “Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know He was there, for He wanted to spend more time with His disciples and teach them. He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of Hs enemies. He will be killed, but three days later He will rise from the dead.’ They didn’t understand what He was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask Him what He meant.” John 14:29 “I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.” Acts 4:31 “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” Luke 10:38-39 “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught.” PRAYER: Father, when I read Scripture, let me not just see words or hear Your Words, but help me listen well to them and apply them to my life. And let me always remember that when I accepted your Son, Jesus, as my Savior, I was immediately anointed with the Holy Spirit, and with His strength, I can go forth in boldness to help spread the Good News of salvation in Him, as you commanded. Maybe I won’t travel to distant nations as did some of the apostles, but I can be an example to my neighbors of one changed by Jesus; I can speak of salvation in Him when You urge me to do so. Thank you for being my strength. Then, Father, help me have a heart like Mary—seeking to spend time with You, valuing every moment in Your Word. Let me fully trust in You and Your promises while humbly seeking to do Your will. Because You sit at the right hand of the Father, I cannot anoint Your feet with oil, nor do I have the resources to purchase expensive perfume. But what I do have, I now fully give You . . . and that is my heart. SONG: What Can I Give Him What can I give Him Poor as I am If I were a shepherd, I would bring Him a Lamb If I were a wise man, I'd sure do my part So what can I give Him Give Him my heart What can I can give Him But all of my heart Give Him my heart What can I give Him But all of my heart What can you give Him What can you bring? What can you offer That's fit for a King Bow before Jesus That's where you can start What can you give Him Just Give Him your heart Give Him your Heart Give Him your Heart What can you give Him But all of your heart Give Him your heart Give Him your heart What can you give Him Just give Him your heart Give Him your heart Give Him your heart What can you give Him But all of your heart Give Him your heart Give Him your heart What can you give Him Just give Him your heart What can I give Him I'll give Him my heart. Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Cymbala Carol Joy / Emelyne Francois I'll Give Him My Heart lyrics © Carol Joy Music DISCLAIMER: I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! Comments are closed.
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Author Candice Mary Thomas writes about loving God and loving people! Coming to Christ at age 32 and now in her 70's, Candice knows what a difference it makes living with or without Christ as one's personal Savior. Archives
December 2022
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