Mark 14:1-11 (NIV)
The last 2 chapters in Mark had us listening to Jesus rebuke the Temple leaders and then describe in terrifying imagery the destruction of the Temple itself. If that’s all we knew about Jesus, he’d come off as a pretty harsh prophet. But what’s he been doing up to this point? He’s been travelling around Judea, healing people, feeding people, casting out demons, teaching with authority and even forgiving sins. He’s been doing Temple stuff, but out in the world.
In today’s passage in chapter 14 we see Jesus turn towards the cross, which he’s been predicting for a while, but now we have more of an idea of what he was up to. The same fate that he forecast for the temple, is exactly what’s about to happen to him. This is a part of how we can understand Jesus’ work on the cross. The failure of the system is being wrought on him as well, except he will come out the other side with something new to offer.
In this passage, we listen in as a woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume in preparation of his burial. She knows that he’s the true King and that in order to assume his throne he must die and be risen. And whether she knows it or not, she does the right thing, but the disciples get angry.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What image stood out to you from this passage?
2. This woman is uninhibited in her expression of honor and love towards Jesus, pouring every last drop of costly perfume out of her broken jar. Have you ever felt free enough to worship Jesus in this way? If you have, have you ever been criticized for it?
3. This perfume cost about a year's wages! Now honestly, if you were there, how would you have responded? How does this passage challenge you?
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