Bible Study with Danelle

This week starts Passion Week. As we go through this week, I will be changing up a bit from the originally posted readings by day.

• Monday: Mark 14:1-11
• Tuesday: Mark 14:12-31
• Wednesday: Mark 14:32.-42
• Thursday: Mark 14: 43-72
• Friday: Mark 15:1-41
• Saturday: Mark 15:42-47
• Sunday: Mark 16

We are now two days until Passover, and the religious leaders are ready to arrest and kill Jesus. He has obviously caused embarrassment and strife and turned the people against them and their misguided teachings. He has uprooted the temple and driven out the money changers. They want him gone. BUT, they know that with Passover in just a few days, they have to wait until afterwards.

Meanwhile, Jesus has come to the home of Simon the leper to eat. While sitting there, a woman (Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus) breaks open a very expensive flask of oil and pours the entire bottle on Jesus’ head. Everyone is shocked by this and upset that the oil could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Three hundred denari was a year’s wages in those days.

But Mary knew exactly what she was doing. As a student and friend of Jesus, she knew what was going to happen to Jesus very soon. She had been paying attention to his teachings when others had only heard and not understood. She was preparing Him for burial.

Mary’s actions showed her deep love and devotion to Jesus and Jesus was grateful.

He scolds the others and tells them that “what she has done will be told in memory of her.” This was such an important and precious thing that she did, Jesus wanted to make sure it was proclaimed as part of the gospel to the whole world. But why? Shouldn’t the money have been used for others? Aren’t we to love our neighbors?

In this article on Mary’s gift, the author points out that the only commandment greater is to love your God with all your heart. This act is pointing out that Jesus is Lord. Mary has shown great love to her God by anointing Him with her most precious gift that she could betow onto Him. What an amazing show of love to her Lord.

As I reflect on this story this week, I know that I will be thinking about how am showing God I love Him. What can I do each day to show my love and devotion the way Mary did? Her love and dedication, as Jesus said, should be an example for all of us.