Daily Bread 2010 Matthew 26
Matthew 26
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9"This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
10Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Both of these passages deal with money and how we use it. The woman spent quite a bit of money to buy some expensive perfume, which she used to anoint Jesus. Little did she know she was in effect anointing Jesus for his death, which was an important Jewish custom that honored the body while commending the Spirit to God.
And then in the second story, we see one of the disciples selling Jesus out for thirty silver coins, a relatively insignificant amount. Some have suggested it was the price of a slave. In a sense it was the amount that Judas was willing to give for his relationship with Jesus.
As we consider these two very disparate stories, it reminds us that we all have a choice on how much worth to give Jesus. One of the key words used in the New Testament to describe what Jesus did for us is “redeem”. It is a monetary term, which means to buy back. It also was used to describe how slaves were bought/redeemed for a certain price.
As we look at the price Jesus redeemed us with, his precious and innocent blood, it brings these matters into perspective. If you were to ask Jesus how much we were worth to him, he would stretch out his hands and feet and show us his scars. As you consider the price or worth you will give to Jesus, remember how much he values you!
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for redeeming us from being slaves of sin. We know that you proved your love to us, while we were yet sinners you died for us. As we give ourselves back to you may we give you our very best! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9"This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
10Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Both of these passages deal with money and how we use it. The woman spent quite a bit of money to buy some expensive perfume, which she used to anoint Jesus. Little did she know she was in effect anointing Jesus for his death, which was an important Jewish custom that honored the body while commending the Spirit to God.
And then in the second story, we see one of the disciples selling Jesus out for thirty silver coins, a relatively insignificant amount. Some have suggested it was the price of a slave. In a sense it was the amount that Judas was willing to give for his relationship with Jesus.
As we consider these two very disparate stories, it reminds us that we all have a choice on how much worth to give Jesus. One of the key words used in the New Testament to describe what Jesus did for us is “redeem”. It is a monetary term, which means to buy back. It also was used to describe how slaves were bought/redeemed for a certain price.
As we look at the price Jesus redeemed us with, his precious and innocent blood, it brings these matters into perspective. If you were to ask Jesus how much we were worth to him, he would stretch out his hands and feet and show us his scars. As you consider the price or worth you will give to Jesus, remember how much he values you!
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for redeeming us from being slaves of sin. We know that you proved your love to us, while we were yet sinners you died for us. As we give ourselves back to you may we give you our very best! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment