Matt. 26:6-13 – Matthew and Mark both mention the event of this woman anointing Jesus at Simon’s home. We do not know the name of this woman or anything about her except she has access to wealth. Why she wanted to anoint Jesus with “costly perfume” will always be conjecture. What we do know for sure, though, is that she wanted to somehow do something for Jesus that would be proportionate to the greatness of His life and work. When I was younger, I often wished I could have done something of significance for Jesus. Maybe even something very small. However, now what I have learned is that Jesus can be served by me. It happens when I serve “one of the least of these brethren of Mine,” as Jesus said in Matt. 25:40.
Matt. 26:14-16 – Jesus declared the “woman” of vss. 6-13 would be remembered whenever the gospel was preached in the world. Both Matthew and Mark share the story of this “woman,” then immediately following this story relate the most despicable betrayal the world has ever known. The first story is famous. The second is infamous. Both stories will always be told. The question, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” is hard to actually envision one of Jesus’ Twelve asking this of His enemies. But, we all, in our own way, have made the decision to bargain away the Author of Life for the sake of some sin that is so incredibly worthless in comparison to the majesty and honor of the Holy One. Nathan, the prophet, said to David, “Thou art the man!” Those words haunt me when I read of Judas’ betrayal.
Matt. 26:36-46 – Gethsemane – just the word brings so much to mind for the disciple of Christ. Sometimes these events and those to follow are called ‘the passion of Christ.’ I don’t think any words, even though these are appropriate, could ever describe what Jesus goes through in Gethsemane and afterward. This was the place Jesus obviously loved to visit and pray because it was the place that Judas knew He would go to after the Supper. This scene helps us all understand that Jesus would face the betrayal, the interrogation, and the cross — pretty much alone. Yes, He had the ‘inner three’ with Him, but they fell asleep. Yes, angels came to attend to Him after His three-fold prayer of “If it be your will, Father, let this cup pass from Me.” But, of course, it was not God’s will. And, then, the terrible and plaintive words on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” God forsook Him because He had every sin upon His sinless body at that time, every sin the world had committed or would ever commit . . . upon Him. I have determined never to teach the gospel again without retelling this part of the story – Gethsemane, the mournful praying, and the crying out to God on the cross. Every person needs to feel personally responsible for the ‘passion of Christ.’