What this blog is about and what I hope it does...

I hope this will be a simple fun tool for us to grow in our understanding and surrender to God through the Bible as we connect over the web. Reading the Bible is both simple and difficult. What could be easier than opening a book and reading? Yet we've all done that and wondered what sections of the Bible mean? What's with the book of Leviticus? What is Revelation really about? Is the Song of Songs about marital love or is it supposed to be more 'spiritual' than that?

So, my intent is for this blog to be a tool that helps us in our faith. A forum for better understanding. An honest place of sharing that nurtures us as we follow Jesus together.

(There are a few resources I have included under "PAGES" that may be a helpful start, especially to those newer to reading the Bible. It's located just below this and to the right. Also included is a READING OUTLINE. If you miss a day, go on to the next rather than trying to catch up.)

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3.31.2010

Reading 20 (Mark 14:1-11) Wednesday March 31

For NIV reading, click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2014:1-11&version=NIV

Much shorter reading today, so we can all take a breath.

We see the way in which some of the leadership of Jesus' day deals with those who threaten their ways...a bit Mafia-like.

And the beautiful story of the woman who pours over Jesus' head expensive perfume. Responding from a heart of pure adoration, she gives generously by worshiping passionately, not caring about other more 'useful' ways of investing the expensive stuff she had. This angers some of Jesus' followers who rebuke her 'harshly.' But Jesus says that His presencce makes the occasion one in which usual ways of operating are suspended (see our discussion on fasting). After all, in Jesus' person He has ushered in God's Kingdom!

The very same day, Judas works out a deal to oust Jesus, and he earns some coin for it. While the woman is pouring out expense to adore Jesus, the religious leaders are pouring out expense to kill Jesus.

Much symbolism here too.

Thoughts, questions, applications...

(sometime we can go back to Mark 13 and a few more thoughts)
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4 comments:

  1. DocMarch 31, 2010 at 8:38 AM

    Beautiful , beautiful story . Wonderful act of love and she gets to be remembered in story where ever the gospel is preached.
    Interesting to note that this is the incident that pushes Judas over the edge , setting things in motion .

    All four gospel authors find this story important enough to include it .Luke has a sinful woman as the anointer and John claims it's Mary ( Lazarus' sister ). They both have Jesus' feet being anointed . No matter , a beautiful act from a beautiful heart . In Luke's relating , she even wets Jesus' feet with her tears and kissed them . Now THAT'S worship .

    One of my favorite stories.

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  2. AndyMarch 31, 2010 at 9:00 AM

    Beautiful. We humans can be such a sad bunch. It's a shame that we feel the need to put others down or criticize them as a means to make us feel better about ourselves. Obviously the disciples loved Jesus very, very much. I believe they were envious of her actions. When they saw this woman engaged in such an amazing, loving, selfless act, they must have been overwhelmed. I think I would have just wept. I can't say I've ever seen anyone wash someone's feet with their tears and hair.

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  3. Jayne ShadowMarch 31, 2010 at 11:05 AM

    I don't think the disciples understood her. They thought her actions were wasteful. If she wanted to help their cause she should have sold the perfume and given the money to the poor. They missed the point. Whatever she had, she gave to the Lord. She recognized, she "saw" the Lord while He was in her presence and she offered Him what she had.

    Judas: I don't grasp why Judas was needed to betray Jesus. I understand that they wanted to arrest him quietly and in private. Was that why they needed him? Was it a secret that Jesus was in the garden?

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  4. AndyMarch 31, 2010 at 11:26 AM

    I believe Judas truly loved Jesus. I also believe that Judas hoped that by handing Jesus over into captivity, he would force Jesus to commence the Kingdom. What Judas didn't understand was that Jesus was teaching the fact that the Kingdom was already here, alive, and well. His fulfillment of 360+ prophecies and resurrection proved it.

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