April – 14 – Called to Remember

Sunday School Lesson

April 14

Lesson 7 (KJV)

Called to Remember

 

Devotional Reading: Acts 2:29–39

Background Scripture: Matthew 26:1–13

 

Matthew 26:1–13

1. And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

 

2. Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

 

3. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

 

4. And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

 

5. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

 

6. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

 

7. There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

 

8. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

 

9. For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

 

10. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

 

11. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

 

12. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

 

13. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

 

 

Key Verse

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

—Matthew 26:13

 

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

 

1. Locate events within Jesus’ final week.

 

2. Contrast the religious leaders’ hostility toward Jesus with Mary’s expression of love for Him.

 

3. Send a message of thanks to someone for his or her courageous service to Jesus.

 

HOW TO SAY IT

Annas	An-nus.
Bethany	Beth-uh-nee.
Caiaphas	Kay-uh-fus or Kye-uh-fus.
Maccabees	Mack-uh-bees.
Sanhedrin	San-huh-drun or San-heed-run.
Zerubbabel	Zeh-rub-uh-bul.

Introduction

1. Unintended Result

Back in 1912 (so an oft-told story goes), President William Howard Taft was attending a Washington Senators baseball game. After the top of the seventh inning was completed, Taft (a rather large man) was feeling a bit tired, so he stood up to stretch. On seeing the President of the United States stand, those nearby did the same. Soon everyone in the ball park was standing. Thus began a tradition still observed at baseball games yet today: the seventh-inning stretch.

President Taft had no intention of creating a tradition. All he wanted to do was take a break from sitting. Yet his simple act had enduring consequences. The same is true of the woman in today’s lesson. She did not intend her act to “go down in history,” but it did.

1. Lesson Context: Passover

Today is Palm Sunday, the day we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (John 12:13). That event occurred early in the time frame of what has come to be called passion week or Jesus’ final week. So important are the teachings and events of this week that more than a third of Matthew’s Gospel focuses on just these few days.

Our lesson today takes us about midway into this week, after Jesus and many others have arrived in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. On the origin of this single-day observance and the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread that accompanies it, see Exodus 12:6, 15–20, 43–49; Leviticus 23:5, 6; Numbers 28:16, 17; Deuteronomy 16:1–4.

1. Lesson Context: Jesus’ Opponents

Part of our lesson considers the attitudes and actions of the Jewish ruling council, which was based in Jerusalem. Some students trace the beginnings of this council to the body of elders who returned from exile in about 536 BC per Ezra 5:5, 9; 6:7, 8, 14. The line is then said to be traceable to the priests, nobles, and officials of Nehemiah 2:16; 5:7. A key figure among the nobles was Zerubbabel (Ezra 4:3; 5:2). He was of David’s royal line (1 Chronicles 3:1–19), but Zerubbabel’s authority was certainly not that of a king.

As the royal authority of the house of David faded, the priesthood gained more and more power. The high priest became, in effect, the head of state in the time between the Old and New Testaments. Serving with him was a council of elders. A record of Jewish history of about 187 to 162 BC notes the recognition of this council by a certain king (see nonbiblical 2 Maccabees 11:27). The power of the high priest continued to increase with time (see nonbiblical 1 Maccabees 12:6; 14:24–49).

The council’s power was sharply curtailed by Herod when he began to rule from Jerusalem in 37 BC as a client-king of Rome. When the Romans changed their governing system after Herod’s death, the council again increased in power.

Council membership numbered 70 plus the high priest, for a total of 71. Support for this 70+1 arrangement was drawn from Numbers 11:16 after the fact. The power of the council and the limits of that power are seen by comparing Mark 10:33; 14:55; Luke 24:20; John 9:22; 18:31; Acts 4:1–22; 5:17–42.

Many Bible commentaries refer to this council as the Sanhedrin. That designation is just a transliteration of the underlying Greek word; it is translated “council” in 22 occurrences in the New Testament (example: Acts 5:21). Transliteration is a process whereby the letters of a Greek or Hebrew word are merely swapped with English letters that sound the same. There are many transliterations in the Bible (examples: apostle, baptism, and Christ).

 

1. Jesus Is Hated

(Matthew 26:1–5)

1. Awareness (vv. 1, 2)
2. And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples.

 

All these sayings refers to teachings recorded in Matthew 24, 25. There Jesus has just discoursed at length on events in the distant future.

 

2a. Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover.

 

Switching gears, Jesus turns the attention to what will take place after two days. There are many time indicators in Scripture that have been used to construct timelines of Jesus’ final week. We list these below:

Matthew	12:40; 16:21; 17:23; 26:2, 17–20; 27:62; 28:1
Mark	14:1, 4, 12, 16, 17; 15:42; 16:2
Luke	3:2; 9:22; 18:33; 22:1, 7, 8, 13–15; 23:54; 24:1, 21
John	11:55; 12:1; 13:2; 18:13, 28, 39; 19:14, 31, 42
Acts	10:40
1 Corinthians	11:23; 15:4

Given all this information, one might think that a timeline would be relatively easy to construct. But it’s not as easy as it may seem. One hurdle centers on the intent of the word day(s). Jews of the time use that word to refer both to part of a day and to a whole day. Thus the word day does not necessarily indicate a precise 24-hour period.

Another problem with properly interpreting the word day is that the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke seem to consider the passage of days as being from sunrise to sunrise; Galilean Jews and Pharisees are said to use this method. The Gospel of John, however, seems to follow the method of Judean Jews and Sadducees, who are said to measure days from sunset to sunset.

Thus it is with a bit of uncertainty that we propose that Jesus is speaking these words on Tuesday evening of His final week, which not a few might consider to be Wednesday, depending on the two issues above. In any case, Jesus’ fateful and final Passover observance is drawing very near.

 

2b. And the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

 

Jesus has spoken to His disciples of His coming death at least three times to this point (see Matthew 16:21; 17:22, 23; 20:17–19). Two of those three previous occasions included, as here, predictions of betrayal and crucifixion.

The phrase Son of man is the most used designation for Jesus in the Gospels (about 80 times) other than the name Jesus itself (occurs more than 900 times).

 

1. Animosity (vv. 3–5)

3a. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people.

 

The scene now changes to those plotting to carry out their murderous intentions against Jesus. The chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders are members of the Jewish ruling council (compare Matthew 26:59; Mark 15:1; John 11:47; see also the Lesson Context: Jesus’ Opponents).

 

3b. Unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.

 

Caiaphas is the son-in-law of Annas, who had served as high priest AD 6–15 (compare Luke 3:2; John 18:13, 24). Annas has managed to keep the office of high priest in his family and is influential enough to be regarded as high priest while Caiaphas carries out the official duties of the position (compare Acts 4:6).

To meet where the high priest resides rather than in the temple area where the council normally convenes may be attributed to the secretive nature of what is being discussed. One theory is that the meeting is held here in the event that it lasts well into the night, since night meetings are not allowed in the temple area.

 

4. And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

 

Some of these men were present when Jesus spoke the parable of the wicked husbandmen (Matthew 21:33–44), and they recognized that the husbandmen referred to them. They bear responsibility for killing the servants and the son of the vineyard owner (21:23, 45). The religious officials had wanted to arrest Jesus right then and there, but they feared the reaction of the crowds (21:46).

Now, gathered at the residence of the high priest, they conclude that they will have to arrest Jesus not openly, but by subtilty. The word in the original language is also translated “deceit” in Mark 7:22 and “guile” in 1 Peter 2:1. The phrase and kill him indicates they have already decided the outcome of a trial before a trial even begins!

Assassination Plots

History tells us of more than 30 attempts to kill sitting and former presidents and presidents-elect of the U.S. Four such attempts have succeeded.

Some assassination attempts are attributable to mental instability. But historians generally agree that most such attempts have been politically motivated. Such motivations may include a perception that the target is a threat to vested interests.

The Bible is clear about the mental state and motivation of the religious leaders who plotted against Jesus. They were methodical, weighing the best way to carry out the plan. John 11:48 gives the motive: eliminate a threat to vested interests.

We rightly recoil in horror that such a motive led to the crucifixion of the innocent Son of God. Our horror should give way to a resolve not to do that which would “crucify … the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:6).

—J. E.

What Do You Think? What steps can you take to protect yourself from being influenced by the wrong motives of a larger group?   Digging Deeper Consider these passages as you form your plan: Exodus 23:2; Jeremiah 9:2; Matthew 27:17–25. Also research the psychological phenomenon known as groupthink.

5. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

 

The feast day is the day of the Passover observance (see the Lesson Context: Passover). Studies of population densities of ancient cities lead some to estimate that the population of Jerusalem can be upwards of 80,000. This number temporarily swells greatly during Passover. The plan of the ruling council takes into account the danger that this fact poses.

 

1. Jesus Is Honored

(Matthew 26:6–13)

 

1. Action (vv. 6, 7)
2. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper.

 

Matthew proceeds to record an incident that happened “six days before the passover” (John 12:1). The village of Bethany is the one noted in Matthew 21:17; Mark 11:1; and Luke 19:29. Its distance of “about fifteen furlongs” from Jerusalem (John 11:18) converts to a bit less than two miles. The town is the location of the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 12:1–3; compare 11:1, 2).

The designation Simon the leper is not to be taken that this man still has leprosy. Rather, it is likely that he is one of the many lepers already healed (compare Matthew 8:2, 3; 10:8; 11:4, 5).

 

7. There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

 

The woman, not named in Matthew’s account, is Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 12:3). She is mentioned elsewhere as possessing a singular devotion to hearing what Jesus had to say (Luke 10:38–42).

The very precious ointment Mary brings is further specified as “spikenard” in Mark 14:3 and John 12:3. This designates a plant that is imported from northern India, thus very costly (see further below). The older weight designation of “pound” in John 12:3 converts roughly to 12 fluid ounces—about a cup and a half. This is more than enough to anoint Jesus’ head, so Mary anoints his feet as well, again per John 12:3.

 

1. Angst (vv. 8, 9)
2. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

 

Ten of the disciples had previously expressed indignation with the other two (Mark 10:41; same Greek word). Now this reaction is directed at Mary for her seeming waste.

 

9. For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

 

John’s account tells us that it is Judas Iscariot who is the most vocal in objecting. He even provides an estimate of the ointment’s value: “three hundred pence” (John 12:5). That’s about the same as an entire year’s wages of a day laborer (see Matthew 20:2). But Judas has his own sinful motive for voicing his objection (see John 12:6).

 

What Do You Think? Under what conditions, if any, would we be justified in declaring something or some act in the church to be “waste”? Digging Deeper Under what conditions, if any, would the good intentions of the one who is seen to be wasteful influence our answer?

An Extravagant Aroma

For centuries, women have known that the scent of the perfume they wear can enter a room before they themselves make their appearance. Thus, good perfumes always fetch a high price. But how much is perfume really worth in that regard?

The cost of the world’s most expensive colognes will shock most people. Poivre by Caron is costly for its wonderful fragrance but also for its jewel-encrusted bottle with gold trim. The bottle contains two ounces of perfume and costs $2,000. Notorious by Ralph Lauren is available only from Harrods in London. It is said that the “beautiful people” believe it to be the perfect scent for the Christmas holidays. The price tag affirms the notoriety of its name: $3,540 per bottle!

Topping the list is Imperial Majesty Perfume by Clive Christian. In its dazzling bottle that is embedded with white diamonds, it commands a price of $215,000! Do we wonder why only 20 bottles were ever produced?

When we think of such expensive perfumes, we begin to sympathize with the disciples’ objection. Given that the average salary for a blue-collar worker is about $43,000, the cost of any of these perfumes seems like a waste. Isn’t there a better use for the money? While caring for others is essential, the recognition of God’s extravagant gift is the greatest of all necessities. Thus we may have different answers depending on whom the expensive perfume is for. See the next verse.

—J. E.

 

1. Approval (vv. 10–13)
2. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

 

Undergirding the disciples’ objection and Jesus’ rebuttal is an important fact: Mary has recognized something about Jesus that the disciples have not. Thus Jesus’ approval of her good work. Were the disciples to recognize that the king of the universe sits among them, would any expenditure on His behalf be too much? The pettiness evident back in Mark 10:35–45 in the request of James and John—two of Jesus’ inner circle!—indicates a lack of awareness, among other things. Their spiritual discernment seems not to have progressed much since a similar “who’s greatest” incident in Luke 9:46–48.

 

What Do You Think? What guardrails can we put in place to avoid making the same mistake that Jesus’ disciples made?   Digging Deeper What should we do, if anything, if we see others making the same mistake that Jesus’ disciples made? Why?

11. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

 

Jesus’ statement echoes words found in the Law of Moses: “the poor shall never cease out of the land” (Deuteronomy 15:11). Poverty is a consequence of living in a broken, fallen world. The world still reels from the impact of sin’s curse (see Romans 8:22). The Scriptures are filled with many expressions of compassion for the poor and exhortations to God’s people (under both old and new covenants) to demonstrate compassion tangibly. Deuteronomy 15:11, for example, is preceded by commands to God’s people not to harden their hearts against the poor (15:7–10).

Similar is 1 John 3:17. But just because the poor will always be among us does not mean that we should make no effort to address their condition. As Jesus has already indicated in His teaching, helping such individuals is the same as ministering to Him (Matthew 25:40).

Jesus’ point in saying what He does about the poor in the context at hand is that there will be many opportunities in the future to demonstrate care for the poverty stricken. He, on the other hand, knows that His time on earth is short. (At this point, the crucifixion is less than a week away.) If someone such as Mary desires to express her devotion to Him in a personal though unconventional way, now is the time to do so.

 

What Do You Think? What are some extravagant gifts that can demonstrate our love for Jesus openly?   Digging Deeper In what contexts might extravagant gifts not result in demonstrating love for Jesus? Why?

12. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

 

Jesus states a significance to Mary’s act that the critical onlookers have not recognized. The ointmentMary has poured on Jesus is similar to the kinds of spices that accompany a burial in that day, in order to offset the effects of decomposition (compare John 11:39; 19:39).

Does Mary herself possess this understanding of what she has done? It is hard to know for certain. Perhaps Mary, whose heart for the words of Jesus has already been noted, senses that Jesus’ death is imminent. Therefore, if she is going to demonstrate awareness of Jesus’ approaching death, she must do it now—as unorthodox as her actions may appear to be. Her critics have had their say; all that matters to Mary is what Jesus thinks. And He has judged Mary’s action to be a “good work.” Mark 14:8 records this commendation from Jesus: “She hath done what she could.”

 

13. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

 

Regardless of what Mary may or may not understand of Jesus’ impending burial, she cannot foresee what Jesus now says about her action. Her demonstration of her devotion to Jesus, though scorned by most who witness it, will be cited as exemplary and praiseworthy.

Certainly her public action is to be contrasted with the private hatred and scheming of the religious leaders noted earlier. They too want to prepare for Jesus’ burial. But their motives and methods are far different from humble Mary’s.

(Note: This account should not be confused with the similar but different one in Luke 7:36–50.)

 

What Do You Think? What can you do to help honor the unsung servants in your church?   Digging Deeper In that process, how can you prevent the honoring or memorializing of faithful Christians from robbing honor that is due Christ? How does the memorializing of the faithful in Hebrews 11 help you answer this question?

Conclusion

1. Know Any Marys or Her Critics?

Many followers of Jesus choose to serve Him in dangerous or primitive settings, thousands of miles from home. They have exercised their devotion to the cause of Christ and His kingdom in what appears to be a radical manner.

Because of their decision to do so, some of their family members and friends may look upon them as “wasting” their talents and education. As family and friends think and talk that way, they echo the criticisms of the disciples who viewed Mary’s action toward Jesus as a waste.

Sometimes the labor of those who invest their lives for Christ may not seem to be bearing much fruit. That can give skeptics even more cause to question what others have chosen to do with their lives. And let’s face it: sometimes critics are right. But in those frequent cases where they’re wrong, they can cause doubt. That’s why people who invest their lives in kingdom work need encouragement. They need affirmation that what they are doing is the right thing.

Think about it: What if Jesus had merely remained silent as the disciples voiced their criticism? What would that have done to Mary? As we ponder that question, we may also examine whether our own extravagant giving is being held back by what we imagine critics might say were we to make that potential gift a reality.

To receive words of encouragement from others can be a great source of blessing to those who serve in difficult mission fields. Perhaps your class or your congregation is aware of an individual or family who has such a need. What can you do to keep in touch with them? How about keeping track of their birthdays or anniversaries? How about communicating with them on holidays? What gifts can the class or congregation provide to assist in the work being done?

One great blessing can be to ask them what specific prayer needs exist. To know that others are praying for you can be one of the best sources of encouragement there is!

Expressions of kindness and gratitude will lift the spirits of both those who offer them and those who receive them. And Jesus, who sees such acts, will certainly not view them as “waste.”

 

1. Prayer

Father, help us to examine our motives lest we become scornful toward people whose expressions of devotion to You may seem wasteful to us. Help us be as generous as Mary was in our service to You. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

1. Thought to Remember

Nothing done for Jesus is wasted.^[1]

 

 

 

KID’S CORNER

A Subtle Miracle of Jesus

April 14, 2019

Matthew 10:1-15

 

Matthew 26:1-13

(Matthew 26:1) When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples,

After Jesus completed His teaching, or after He had completed teaching about the importance of the choices we make regarding preparedness for His coming in Matthew 25, about the right use of our talents, the fact that He will judge all the nations, and the fact that He as Lord and King will separate the righteous who will inherit eternal life from those who will go away into eternal punishment, He began to prepare His disciples for His coming death.

(Matthew 26:2) “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.”

Imagine the shock of disbelief that the disciples must have experienced after Jesus had proclaimed these strong teachings and foretold His future judgment of the nations in Matthew 25, and then immediately began to talk about His coming death (as He had done after Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ in Matthew 16:16). This time, Jesus forecast that during Passover, only two days away, that He would be handed over and die is a common criminal on a cross. One can hardly imagine a greater contrast of predictions among the expectations of His disciples. Jesus always referred to himself as the Son of Man, who was to come as the promised Messiah, and no one expected the Messiah to give His life as a ransom for many (as Jesus had told His disciples earlier in Matthew 20:28).

(Matthew 26:3) Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas;

In exchange for their places of privilege, almost all of the religious leaders in Jerusalem were also political leaders. They compromised with the Romans to maintain peace in Jerusalem and their personal prosperity. There were many chief priests in Jerusalem. The High Priest serving at that time was Joseph Caiaphas, and contrary to Jewish Law, he was appointed High Priest by the Romans. All the High Priests served at the caprice of the Roman governors over Judea. For Caiaphas to retain his position, he had to please the Roman governors and Emperor. Because he cooperated closely with Roman authorities, Caiaphas was high priest from AD 18 to 36.

(Matthew 26:4) and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him.

Though these religious leaders resided over all the ceremonies, feasts, and temple worship proceedings, they seemed to think little about their many violations of the Ten Commandments, the Law of Love. Perhaps they thought their preeminence and performance of religious rituals would guarantee their favored place with the LORD the matter what they did. They planned to use illegal means, including lying about Him, to arrest and kill Jesus.

(Matthew 26:5) But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”

Since their places of prominence depended on their keeping the peace in Jerusalem, so the Roman governors could maintain their places of authority under the Emperor, they did not want a riot during Passover when about 3 million Jews would be gathered together in the city. They took no thought of the immorality of their actions, they only thought of maintaining their political power and what was politically expedient.

(Matthew 26:6) Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper,

Bethany was about 1.5 miles east of Jerusalem near the Mount of Olives. Though we know very little about Simon the leper, we do know that Jesus must have healed him from his leprosy for him to be able to remain in his house in Bethany and entertain guests at dinner, for lepers were required to live outside a city in groups with other lepers. Sometimes Christians are remembered for what they used to do or for what they once were instead of what they became by the grace of Jesus.

(Matthew 26:7) a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table.

Matthew does not name this woman, but she used costly ointment to anoint Jesus’ head, which demonstrated that to her Jesus was her King or the Messiah, even as King David said his head was anointed with oil (Psalm 23:5). Messiah means “Anointed One” or King, and this woman publicly demonstrated her faith in Jesus as the “Anointed One” that God had promised to send. Because she loved the One who had forgiven her for her sins and given her eternal life, she knew that Jesus deserved all the good that she could do for Him no matter what the cost to her personally.

(Matthew 26:8) But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste?

Judas may have instigated and rallied some of the other disciples around the idea that what the woman had done for Jesus was a waste, and her gift to Him could have been sold and used for something more worthy than anointing Jesus’ head. Perhaps they were both angry and envious of Jesus because of what the woman did for Him. Too often well-meaning Christians are criticized for not giving their gifts the way someone else would like to see them used. We need to remember that what we do for Jesus is never wasted or a waste.

(Matthew 26:9) “For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

The disciples knew of Jesus’ concern for the poor and needy, for Jesus healed many and miraculously fed more than 5000 people who came to hear Him teach. Jesus always freely gave what God had given to Him to benefit others. Judas would want the ointment sold so he could personally make a profit when he sold the ointment to help the poor (see John 12:5-6)..

(Matthew 26:10) But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me.

Jesus immediately defended the honor and intention of the woman who sought to bless Him. Jesus rebuked His disciples for rebuking the woman. Why were they trying to redirect the gift she was giving Jesus? Were they really concerned for the poor? Why were they causing her trouble for doing Him an innocent thing? She broke no laws to bless Jesus and anoint Him with oil. She did perform a good service for Jesus, but a service preparing Him for burial (which the disciples still refused to believe would happen). Jesus was known for His humility; therefore, Jesus did not say that He deserved to have His head anointed because He was the King of the universe and the promised Messiah. He simply accepted the good gift from the woman and defended her conduct.

(Matthew 26:11) “For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.

Jesus did not express any arrogance when He spoke to His disciples. Rather, Jesus said there is a time and place for everything. There will always be poor people that can be helped and should be helped. But there is also a time when we need to bless and serve Jesus before we do anything else. It seems the woman understood the truth of Jesus’ words when Jesus said that within a few days He would be handed over to be crucified, and that He would not always be with her or them.

(Matthew 26:12) “For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.

Though she might not have known all that she was doing and why she was doing it, God providentially arranged for her to anoint Jesus’ body for burial. She anointed His body when He could enjoy the soothing effects of the ointment before He suffered and died. We know that on the night Jesus was arrested that His disciples scattered in fear and Peter denied Him. What the woman did for Jesus could not be done at any other time and it was done for Him at the right time.

(Matthew 26:13) “Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

Knowing He was about to die as a criminal on a cross, Jesus foretold that the story of her anointing Him would be told around the world whenever the good news about His death and resurrection were proclaimed around the world. This amazing forecast came true. Only the Son of God could make such a prediction only a few days before He was to die and know that it would be fulfilled—it was and is still being fulfilled.

 

A Subtle Miracle of Jesus

April 14, 2019

Matthew 10:1-15

 

“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” (Matthew 26:13).

How many people can you think of who defended the honor of a woman and commended her actions and then died a few days later as a criminal after saying that what she had done would be proclaimed throughout the world, and after almost 2000 years what he said about her is still being repeated around the world? How many people can you think of who said a few days before they died on a cross that the good news of his death would be proclaimed throughout the whole world, and after almost 2000 years his death on a cross is still being proclaimed as good news around the world? How many people can you think of who proclaimed that their death would enable the sins of the world to be forgiven? And today we are still proclaiming the good news John wrote about Him in 1 John 2:2: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” The name of only one person comes to mind: Jesus. Only Jesus fulfilled all these stupendous prophecies. It is doubtful that any mere human could have successfully forecast any one of these three achievements. Only Jesus could fulfill all His words, and He did so because He rose from the dead and He was and is all He said about himself. Sceptics may doubt Jesus walked on water or stilled a storm, but those miracles seem easy compared to Jesus’ words about the woman who honored Him still being talked about everywhere today.

 

Thinking Further

A Subtle Miracle of Jesus

April 14, 2019

Matthew 10:1-15

Name _____________________________

 

1. When did Jesus say He would be crucified?

 

 

2. Do you think the disciples believed or understood Jesus when He talked about His death and burial? Give a reason for your answer.

 

 

3. What type of people were involved in plotting Jesus’ death?

 

 

4. When Jesus was at dinner in Bethany, what seemed to shock the disciples and what did they say?

 

 

5. What prophecy did Jesus make during the dinner? Do you think it was fulfilled? How?

 

Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further

 

1. When did Jesus say He would be crucified? After Peter declared Jesus was the Messiah (Christ), Jesus began to talk about His coming death. He said He would be crucified during the Passover feast (which He was).

 

2. Do you think the disciples believed or understood Jesus when He talked about His death and burial? Give a reason for your answer. No. They seemed to ignore His forecasts and at the dinner in Bethany no one among the disciples seemed to follow up His forecast about His crucifixion happening very soon. They seemed more concerned about what a woman was doing to Jesus than a discussion about His comments about being crucified in just a few days.

 

3. What type of people were involved in plotting Jesus’ death? Most of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Leaders concerned more about themselves than about learning and doing the will of God because they loved and wanted to do the will of God (which they did not).

 

4. When Jesus was at dinner in Bethany, what seemed to shock the disciples and what did they say? The woman anointing Jesus’ head with costly ointment that they called a waste and wanted sold to help the poor.

 

5. What prophecy did Jesus make during the dinner? Do you think it was fulfilled? How? That wherever around the world whenever the good news was preached about Jesus that what she did for Him would be proclaimed too. Yes. Both then and now people still preach and teach about her around the world and use her for a good example to follow.

 

Word Search

A Subtle Miracle of Jesus

April 14, 2019

Matthew 10:1-15

Name _____________________________

 

C N W Z N B S E L P I C S I D

L V X O A J Z N S N M G O G P

O R M U M X M C T X C V L Q I

D K W A G A Y R S K J I E T X

S E Q R M H N D E T T O L P A

Y B I L L I K J I D V S B L K

R N Z F D S A N R L A E A P O

Y E A Y I E U P P H A B D H T

P I K H L C A S P N A I W M Y

K J B D T S U A E S T G R I W

F O E L S E I R T J W C V U S

W R U O T A B E C G F R G J B

S Q V H C X R O I N T M E N T

Y E B M W T S E R R A Q X K G

R D E R E V I L E D V U B S D

 

Disciples

Passover

Delivered

Crucified

Priests

Elders

Caiaphas

Plotted

Arrest

Kill

Bethany

Woman

Alabaster

Ointment

Burial

 

 

True and False Test

A Subtle Miracle of Jesus

April 14, 2019

Matthew 10:1-15

Name _____________________________

 

Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.

 

1. Jesus did not warn His disciples that He would be crucified. True or False

 

2. Jesus did not know when He would be crucified. True or False

 

3. Caiaphas and those who plotted Jesus death seemed to be more political than religious. True or False

 

4. Since the high priest wanted Jesus killed, it was okay to kill Him. True or False

 

5. No matter what they ask of us, we should always obey our religious and political leaders. True or False

 

6. The religious leaders did not want an uproar among the people over Jesus’ crucifixion. True or False

 

7. Before the feast of Passover, Jesus ate with His disciples and Simon the leper. True or False
8. A woman anointed Jesus head to do a good deed for Him. True or False

 

9. The disciples got angry when they saw the woman wasting what could have been sold to help the poor. True or False

 

10. Jesus defended the woman’s actions and said that she was preparing Him for burial. True or False

 

 

True and False Test Answers

1. False
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. False
6. True
7. True
8. True
9. True

10.True

 

Prayer

Father, help us to examine our motives lest we become scornful toward people whose expressions of devotion to You may seem wasteful to us. Help us be as generous as Mary was in our service to You. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.