Anointing, Betrayal, and Denial
Three Responses, One Savior
SCRIPTURE:
Mark 14:9 (NKJV) - "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."
OBSERVATION:
In Mark chapter fourteen, three characters stand out. They are the Woman at Bethany, Judas, and Peter.
All three interact with Jesus and are changed. Yet one does not change for the better. Each would be remembered in the Gospels and discussed in connection with the crucifixion of Jesus.
Let’s start with the two we are familiar with.
Judas was one of the twelve disciples, yet he would betray Jesus. He was the treasurer and the one who was annoyed by the woman who anointed Jesus with the costly perfume. Judas was motivated by financial gain. Sadly, he went to the chief priest and was given money to betray Jesus.
Betrayal means "an act of deliberate disloyalty," such as when your friend tells others all your secrets. Betrayal involves destroying someone's trust, possibly by lying.
Peter was also one of the twelve. He was loud, fiercely loyal, and had a heart the size of Texas. Yet he would deny Jesus three times. Unlike Judas, Peter would turn to Jesus for forgiveness and find restoration.
Lastly, the woman at Bethany. We don’t know much about her, but we do know that Jesus Himself said she would be remembered.
Mark 14:9 (NKJV) - "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."
OBSERVATION:
In Mark chapter fourteen, three characters stand out. They are the Woman at Bethany, Judas, and Peter.
All three interact with Jesus and are changed. Yet one does not change for the better. Each would be remembered in the Gospels and discussed in connection with the crucifixion of Jesus.
Let’s start with the two we are familiar with.
Judas was one of the twelve disciples, yet he would betray Jesus. He was the treasurer and the one who was annoyed by the woman who anointed Jesus with the costly perfume. Judas was motivated by financial gain. Sadly, he went to the chief priest and was given money to betray Jesus.
Betrayal means "an act of deliberate disloyalty," such as when your friend tells others all your secrets. Betrayal involves destroying someone's trust, possibly by lying.
Peter was also one of the twelve. He was loud, fiercely loyal, and had a heart the size of Texas. Yet he would deny Jesus three times. Unlike Judas, Peter would turn to Jesus for forgiveness and find restoration.
Lastly, the woman at Bethany. We don’t know much about her, but we do know that Jesus Himself said she would be remembered.
Early in the first century, Pliny the Elder remarked that ‘the best ointment is preserved in alabaster.’ The value of the perfume, and its identification as nard, suggests that it was a family heirloom that was passed on from one generation to another, from mother to daughter” (William L. Lane).
This woman anointed Jesus’ feet in preparation for His burial.
All three played a role in the events leading to Jesus' death - one anointed, one betrayed, and one denied. All three needed a Savior. Sadly, only two came to Jesus for forgiveness. All three have gone down in history as examples for us.
APPLICATION:
All three were guilty, all three were sinners, and all three had the opportunity to come to Jesus.
Maybe you have been like Judas. At one time, you walked with Jesus, but something in your life led you to betray your love for Him. If you are like the woman, you will come to the feet of Jesus and give all you have (your life) to Him, and you will find forgiveness, even for your betrayal.
Maybe you have been like Peter. Loud, full of pride, a bit impetuous. But when it mattered, you denied knowing Jesus. If you are like the woman, come to the feet of Jesus and give all you have (your life) to Him. You will find forgiveness, even in your denial.
Maybe you are like the woman. You realize you are a sinner in need of a savior. Yet if you have not come to the feet of Jesus and given all you have (your life) to Him, you will not find forgiveness, even for your sin.
All three are recorded in history, all three encountered Jesus, and all three had the opportunity to receive forgiveness. Don’t be like Judas. Don’t harden your heart and miss the chance to restore your relationship with Jesus.
The only sin in the Bible that will not be forgiven is “blasphemy.” Blasphemy is simply refusing the gift of salvation. It means you have rejected Christ to your last breath. I believe that if Judas had come to Jesus, he would have been saved as well. Don’t wait.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for forgiveness, no matter what I have done or will do! All I need to do is come to You and give it all to You.
All three played a role in the events leading to Jesus' death - one anointed, one betrayed, and one denied. All three needed a Savior. Sadly, only two came to Jesus for forgiveness. All three have gone down in history as examples for us.
APPLICATION:
All three were guilty, all three were sinners, and all three had the opportunity to come to Jesus.
Maybe you have been like Judas. At one time, you walked with Jesus, but something in your life led you to betray your love for Him. If you are like the woman, you will come to the feet of Jesus and give all you have (your life) to Him, and you will find forgiveness, even for your betrayal.
Maybe you have been like Peter. Loud, full of pride, a bit impetuous. But when it mattered, you denied knowing Jesus. If you are like the woman, come to the feet of Jesus and give all you have (your life) to Him. You will find forgiveness, even in your denial.
Maybe you are like the woman. You realize you are a sinner in need of a savior. Yet if you have not come to the feet of Jesus and given all you have (your life) to Him, you will not find forgiveness, even for your sin.
All three are recorded in history, all three encountered Jesus, and all three had the opportunity to receive forgiveness. Don’t be like Judas. Don’t harden your heart and miss the chance to restore your relationship with Jesus.
The only sin in the Bible that will not be forgiven is “blasphemy.” Blasphemy is simply refusing the gift of salvation. It means you have rejected Christ to your last breath. I believe that if Judas had come to Jesus, he would have been saved as well. Don’t wait.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for forgiveness, no matter what I have done or will do! All I need to do is come to You and give it all to You.
We are all guilty like Judas, Peter, and the woman—but forgiveness is found when we come humbly to Jesus and give Him everything.
Posted in 03 - Luke
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