Holy Week #3

Imagine you are a disciple who has traveled with Jesus for possibly up to four years. You have left your home, your family, and your job. You live on the graciousness of others, traveling from home to home, city to city. You have only the possessions that you carry around with you. While yes, you happily chose this lifestyle, there must have been times when you saw people who had more than you and thought, “Man, If I only had … life would be so much easier”.

We see several times that Jesus’ disciples struggled with valuing possessions. First, their appraisal of the widow’s gift (Mk 12:43) was dismissive, even though it cost her greatly. Then, in the following account, they were moved to anger because of the “waste” of someone who lived, presumably, in abundance.

Read Mark 14:3–9 ESV

Jesus was telling his disciples, and those who followed him, that he would be killed soon, but the disciples didn’t believe him. After all, just a few days ago, He was welcomed by a parade! How could the tables turn so quickly? Nevertheless, just a few days before he would be killed, this woman came in and anointed Jesus with oil. The enormous frustration for these guys was that this ointment cost around one year’s wages!
“What a waste!”
Jesus, however, defended her choice. It seemed clear that the cost did not matter to her. On the contrary, she gave much to honor Jesus!

What about you? Are you willing to give, at a high cost, for Jesus? Do you hold onto possessions a bit too tightly? Are you generous with your time, energy, and talents toward Jesus? Is there something that I would struggle with surrendering to Jesus and His cause?

Spend a few moments in prayer, asking God to search your heart. What parts of your life do you hold onto, unwilling to sacrifice for Jesus?

Of course, you know Judas. He has been the villain in the account of Jesus’ death for years. After all, he is the one who betrayed Jesus. Today, if you were to be called a “Judas,” it would be an insult. It would represent someone who chose self over Christ. Someone who clung onto something for selfish reasons. Someone who betrayed loyalty. Someone who is, well, a traitor.

We tend to moralize characters in the Bible, don’t we? So we read of David and Sauls, or Judas and Peters, and conclude; Be like David/Peter, don’t be like Saul/Judas. Be the good guy... not the bad guy.

The problem is, we’re all villains, not victims.


Mark 14:1–11 ESV

Focus on vs. 1-2 and 10-11.
     
The Jewish rulers had had enough. In a secret plot, they looked for ways to arrest, kill, and be rid of Jesus forever. Their timing was critical—They could not do this during the Passover because the increased number of people may have created conditions for a riot. So, after the festival would have been less chaotic. However, Judas Iscariot changed the leaders’ minds. Reaching out to the chief priests, Judas offered up the betrayal and was promised payment for his act. The betrayal had begun.

It’s easy to pick on Judas because his betrayal was so clearly based on his sinful desires and agenda. There were others, however, who also betrayed Christ. For example, Peter denied even knowing Christ 3 times; The disciples fled and scattered themselves at His arrest; Pilate judged Jesus to be put to death, even when he knew it was wrong; The soldiers scourged Him; The hateful screams of the crowd; The mocking of Jesus by the thieves on the cross are all examples. But what about us today?

Every time sin occurs—and we all sin— aren’t we guilty of betraying Christ at some level? Doesn’t that also need forgiveness?

Again, we are villains, not victims.

It’s important to note that what Jesus was about to endure wasn’t just to forgive the sins that you have committed. Instead, Jesus’ death on the cross would pay the debt for the sins you choose each day.

Every day we can knowingly, carelessly, (and sometimes purposefully) choose to betray Jesus.

Spend some time talking with God about how you betray Jesus every day? What do you need to confess? What do you need to repent of? What needs to change. After all, we're all villains.