I mentioned in the Class that Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9 likely record the same event as does our Text here. But the Synoptics do not mention Mary by name! (John has a propensity to use names! Names we would have never known otherwise. Like “Malchus” in John 18:10, for example.)

But there is yet another anointing of Jesus (by a woman) in Luke’s Gospel (7:36-50). This one is definitely NOT done by Mary! Read that Passage and you will immediately understand why! (“A woman which was a sinner,” likely meaning a prostitute!)

Wow!

During Passover, the population of Jerusalem would swell by at least 100,000. These are visitors having come to participate in the Passover ceremonies! (Josephus the historian says as many as 2,000,000 visitors. But he can exaggerate!)

Martha’s faith honored the resurrected Lord! (“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”) Mary’s faith (anointing Jesus for His “Burial”) honored the crucified Lord!

It looks like as soon as Jesus rebuked Judas (“Let her alone”) … he went out and bargained to sell the Lord for 30 pieces of silver! Notice the significant conjunction “and” at the beginning of Mark 14:10. You will clearly see the sequence!

Mary’s ointment was worth “300 pence.” Judas sold Jesus for “30 pieces” of silver! Worship is often defined (and accurately so) as showing a Person (here Jesus) what He is WORTH!

Watch how grumbling spreads …

In John 12 it starts with Judas, one person!

By Mark 14:4 “some” of the Disciples had indignation within themselves (about Mary’s ointment).

Then by Matthew 26:8 all the Disciples were upset!

Look how Song of Solomon 1:12 fits Mary’s worship experience … “While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.”

Wow!

Now, I hope I’ve stirred an interest in you to see the whole video class …

Remember, a new Lesson every other night.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

In Leviticus chapter 23, verses 2 and 4 … the seven God given “Feasts” (Israel’s National Holy Days) are properly called … “the feasts of the Lord!” But when Jesus lived, they had been so degraded and commercialized and compromised, they were simply designated “the Jews’ Passover!” God wanted nothing to do with them!

And in verse 57, where the Pharisees had issued an arrest warrant for Jesus … several earlier attempts to “take Him” had already failed!

Some examples …

John 7:30 … Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

John 8:20 … These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

John 7:1 … After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

John 11:54 … Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

They could not so much as “touch” Him … until the proper Hour of His Death arrived!

Wow!

On Jerusalem being crowded during Passover, at least 100,000 visitors during that week … Deuteronomy 16:16 explains a lot.

“Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty.”

Jewish men were REQUIRED BY MOSAIC LAW to travel to Jerusalem and worship God at (1) Passover (unleavened Bread) and (2) Pentecost (feast of weeks) and again in the Fall at (3) Tabernacles!

Plotting to kill Jesus, murderers them all, yet …

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” So explained Peter in Acts 2:22-24! Human culpability yet God’s Hand behind it all!

How to be saved …

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Romans 10:9-10, and God always keeps His Word, His Promises!

Now, if possible, watch …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

I did not mention the fact that twice the New Testament tells us the naked truth about the motive behind Jesus’ murder on Calvary.

In Matthew 27:18 the “hearts” of the chief priests and elders of Israel are made manifest: “For envy they had delivered Jesus.” They wanted Him dead, because He was interfering with their money-making schemes at the Temple! (Mark 15:10 repeats that fact.)

Ungodly!

The love of money!

The Pharisees and their company (the chief priests, both Annas and Caiaphas, Father and Son-in-law) were … “Plotting the Death of the One (Jesus, Son of God) Who had just conquered Death!” By raising Lazarus from the grave! (I love that quote.)

Israel’s wicked leaders (haters of Jesus) were unknowingly fulfilling Psalm 2:2 … “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed (Messiah).”

Their wrath against Jesus will ultimately put Him on the Cross. But (again, unknowingly) they were aiding in God’s Plan to save lost sinners! Yes, Psalm 76:10 right before our eyes: “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.”

Wow!

One can truly say that wicked politicians killed Jesus, at least from a human point of view. We in America are probably just beginning to see history repeat itself … as persecution begins against us Christians. Political reprobation! It’s coming!

It looks to me like Caiaphas was preaching (ignorantly) an “unlimited Atonement!”

“The Lord is … not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

One of my favorite commentators said: “When “trust in Jesus” has occurred, an event has reached its goal!” What higher aspiration is there? Than a sinner being saved, born again?

Balaam, a false Prophet, said some things he did not really mean. (He blessed Israel when he had been hired to curse Israel!) Likewise, Caiaphas meant harm to Jesus, but he actually glorified our dear Lord!

“Being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die FOR that nation; and not FOR that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” John 11:51-52, the English preposition “for” is spelled “huper” in Greek, meaning “in the place of,” or “instead of!”

HE DIED FOR ME!

HE DIED FOR YOU!

Hallelujah!

Watch the whole Class if you can …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

In this Paragraph, death meets Jesus, what a confrontation! And death was defeated! Christ, the Victor!

In John’s Gospel Lazarus is the only person Jesus raised from the grave, from the dead! In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) two more such events are described. The little twelve-year old girl and the Widow’s son at Nain!

Moses showed God’s Power by having the earth open and swallow some rebellious men, burying them alive!

Elijah showed God’s Power by calling fire down upon groups of soldiers (twice), scorching them to death!

But Jesus showed God’s Power by (not taking life) giving life, raising Lazarus from the tomb!

Jesus was not a Stoic, non-emotional! Isaiah 53:3 is right, Messiah being a “man of sorrows!” Jesus wept!

I want to say that Jesus IS the Glory of God! And I would cite Hebrews 1:3 for proof. “Jesus being the brightness of his (God’s) glory, and the express image of his person.”

Wow!

When (verse 41) Jesus thanked the Father for hearing His Prayer, one is reminded of Psalm 118:21, a Messianic Poem. “I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.” Jesus sure did know the Bible!

Lazarus of course, after some span of time, died again! So did the young girl Jesus raised and the Widow’s son too.

Only Jesus (so far) has been resurrected NEVER to die again! In Revelation 1:18 Jesus says: “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Glory, alive forever!

I suer enjoyed teaching the Lesson, and sincerely invite you to watch it now in its entirety …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

My favorite quote (which I neglected to include in class) …

“Once Martha would have drawn Mary away FROM Jesus’ Feet (Luke 10:38-42, to help in the kitchen). But now she seeks to bring Mary TO Jesus’ Feet (John 11:28-29, to allay her grieving)!”

The Gospel of John beautifully blends Jesus’ Deity and Humanity into great harmony. Yes, Jesus is God (Divine)! But yes, He wept, thirsted, hungered and even became weary, illustrating His Humanity!

I think everyone in Bethany though that Jesus had met His “match” in the death of Lazarus. (The grim reaper, the king of terrors!) What could anyone have done? Everyone doubted, that is, except Martha!

Lesson … it is not how much faith you have that really counts! But IN WHOM you place that faith, no matter how small it is!

Example … a ton of faith in Buddha will send you to Hell. A teaspoon full of faith in Jesus will take you to Heaven! (Really, a mustard seed of faith will do!)

No doubt in my mind, Martha’s faith here is stronger than Mary’s. Mary uttered no statement of faith in Jesus, as did Martha. And Jesus did no doctrinal teaching to Mary, as He did to Martha!

Martha …

“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” John 11:21-27!

Mary …

“Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.” John 11:31-32

Wow!

The verse to which I alluded about Jesus weeping at Gethsemane is Hebrews 5:7. “Who (Jesus) in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears (Gethsemane) unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.” Do note Paul here is sure Jesus’ Gethsemane prayers were heard and answered!

The best idea, watch the whole class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.