Leading up to his passion, Jesus predicts his death again. But a woman of all people, when his disciples do not understand, anoints him with oil in order to prepare him for his death, probably expending all of her means. She sacrifices so much to lay everything down at his feet. This is starkly contrasted by Judas’ betrayal, where he trades Jesus’ life for 30 silver pieces. On this Holy Week, let us think how to spend our time and money in order to worship or deny our Lord.
Matthew 26.1-16
When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” 6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” 14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ Why does Jesus keep on predicting his death? Do the disciples get it?
+ Why did the priests and pharisees not want to kill Jesus during the passover?
+ How would the ancient world have viewed this woman?
+ Why was this perfume such a big deal?
+ Why does Jesus praise this woman?
+ What does Jesus mean by “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.”
+ In the other gospels, we learn that Judas was one of the disciples who was very angry at this woman. What does that tell us about his priorities?
+ How much money does Judas trade Jesus’ life for? What does that compare to modern standards?
+ Why do you think Judas wanted to betray Jesus?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Are you sacrificing your money/ time/ thoughts in a similar way to that woman?
+ In what ways are your prioritizing life to put Jesus first?
+ Are you letting Jesus speak into your life?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Are you using your means to show the love of Jesus?
+ How can you show people Jesus’ power in your life?