Day 11, Matthew 26: Betrayal and arrest

TITLE: Day 11, Matthew 26: Betrayal and arrest
THEME: Nothing is Ever Wasted

(Credit: myphilately.com)

It is one of the most amazing contrast of how people treat Jesus. At Bethany, one of the most beautiful things happened to Jesus. Mary Magdalene takes her most precious perfume in an alabaster jar, and pours it on Jesus. There is not a care in the world for Mary as she does that beautiful act. Even the disciples deem such an act wasteful when they say:

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” (Matt 26:8-9)

Sometimes, I feel that some of the people who justify non-action tends to be those who not only do not do good works, but counter good works. If anyone seeks to criticize, do it constructively not with words but with action.

Hot on the heels of the disciples' attitude is the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. Instead of Mary Magdalene's generous act of giving expensive perfume, Judas does exactly the opposite. He takes on a businessman approach to exact maximum benefit for betraying Jesus.

• The price paid to Judas for betraying Jesus: Thirty silver coins.
• The price of the perfume in the Alabaster Jar: Priceless.

As I read the rest of the chapter, I cannot help but feel sad that Mary Magdalene's beautiful act of sacrificial giving is the only encouraging thing amid the many unfortunate events. Judas makes a business out of turning Jesus in. He pretends Jesus does not know about his schemes. The disciples sleep it off, while Jesus pray in agony. Peter denies Christ, thrice.

The very people who fails to appreciate Mary Magdalene's beautiful giving, are the very people who hurt Jesus the most.

What I Learned: When we serve the Lord with anything or everything we have, nothing is ever wasted.

conrade