Morning Moments

Thursday, 13 April 33

The Woman
When Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him...

Women responded to Jesus because of the tenderness they saw in Him. He was the kind of brother, father, husband, man any woman would want. I believe this is one of the reasons that counselling a woman is a "no no" for the average preacher (or man for that matter). It is too easy for an unhealthy emotional attachment to develop. It is all too easy to become a substitute for a husband or a father and that can be very dangerous. Beware! Be a tender man, but don't let your tenderness become a trap. To the pure all things are pure, but to the perverse (froward) and things are perverse.

The Worth
...having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and poured it on His head as he sat at the table.

The is one of the most powerful verses in all of Scripture to me...an amazing example to love. Comparing texts, we discover that she anointed His head and feet. Years ago while in Dallas, TX, I attended First Baptist Church to hear Dr. W. A. Criswell. His sermon was entitled "God's Extravagance". He spoke of young men in love and proposing marriage with a diamond ring many could not afford. His point was that nothing is too good for the one you love. After all, Jesus had given this woman her brother back. By the way, what is the love gift you have given to Him?

The Waste
Judas was upset at the waste of money...

Broken AND Wasted - that is all Judas saw in this expression of love. It is always that way for those on the outside of love looking in. How many have criticized the young man or woman who "wasted" his or her life on the mission field for Jesus rather than enjoying the pleasures of this world for a season. Moses, broken and poured out, chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of Pharoah's house." Mary did what she did because she loved the Lord.

The Wicked
...and went to the chief priests and asked what they would give him to betray Jesus to them.

"Every man has his price." That is what we are told. The price of serving Jesus is a life for a life, and that is the price most do not wish to pay. It is easy to say, "I believe in Jesus", but it is an altogether different matter to be broken and pour out for Him. Judas was not willing and resented those who were. The church is certainly not exempt from the presence of such. "The Church is a business, you know." Bologna! The Church is not a business, nor a building, but a BODY! Many a man has sold his soul to the bank in the name of Jesus. That is precisely what Judas did because he could not comprehend how anyone could offer such an expensive gift to Jesus. It is an issue of the heart.

The Wage
They counted out 30 pieces of silver. From that time on he sought an opportunity to betray Him. [Mat 26:6-16]

SOLD! For the price of a slave. $19.20, about 113 days' wages of the common laborer at .17 cents a day. Someone has figured this to be about $930 today. Think about it. Complaining over a broken box of expensive ointment, then offering Jesus for almost nothing. By the way, how valuable is He to YOU?

The Writing
Fulfilled Prophecy: "Then I said to them, 'If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.' So they weighed out for my wages 30 pieces of silver."[Zec 11:12]

The strongest evidence of the accuracy, authority, and authentiticy of the Bible is the fulfillment of prophecy. No other "sacred" writing in the world can make this claim. It is proof enough that the Word of God is the Bible and not some other writings that are mere substitutes for the Bible.

Jesus said I came to fulfill the law and the prophets and not to destroy them. Fulfill them He did...and continues to do!
{Sources: Bible Timeline www.abiblestudy.com/Outline and additional notes mine}.