Lesson 2
The Anointing
Matthew 20:17-28 Matthew 26:5-13
Mark 10: 32-45 Mark 14:3-9
Luke 18:31-34
John
11:55-57
After a few
weeks of seclusion in Ephraim, Jesus begins his last journey to Jerusalem.
Remember, we are traveling with Him on the road towards Jerusalem. He cleanses
ten lepers, gives the discourse on the Kingdom of God, teaches the parable of
the unjust judge and the parable of the pharisee and the publican, and gives
the discourse on marriage and divorce.
(Luke 17:11-37, Luke 18:1-18, Matthew 19:1-12, Mark 10:10-12, Luke
16:18, 23)
He teaches
that little children shall be saved, the parable of the laborers in the
vineyard, and about riches and eternal life. (Matthew 19:14-30, Mark 10:13-31,
Luke 18: 15-30, Matthew 20:1-16)
Jesus
continues his journey to Jerusalem. During this time he announces the coming of
his death and resurrection. Bruce R.
McConkie shares with us the last steps of his journey. “In the past his steps
have taken him to scenes of joy and healing and friendly intercourse with
beloved associates; now they are traversing a steady descent into the valley of
the shadow of death. An there is a
solemnity, an awe –yes, a reverence—about the journey itself.” (McConkie, B.3
,p. 312). Farrar shares with us that “it was the Transfiguration of
Self-Sacrifice; and like that previous Transfiguration of Glory, it filled
those who beheld it with an amazement and terror which they could not explain.
(F. W. Farrar, The Life of Christ, p.516-517)
“An Awe”-- A
reverence in his journey to Jerusalem.
As they
journeyed Jesus declared: “Behold, we go
up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the
Son of man shall be accomplished.” (Luke 18:31)
“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered
unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to
death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles; And they shall mock him, and
shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him; and he shall
rise again.”(Mark 10:33-34) Matthew
adds, ”and to crucify him; and the third day he shall rise again.” (Matthew
20:19)
This is the
third time in the scriptures where Jesus has declared His betrayal, trial,
scourging, death, and resurrection. It
is, however, the first time that the word crucify is used. Then Luke tells us, “And they understood none
of these things.” (Luke 18:34) Even his
disciples still did not know what is about to take place.
Salome, the
mother of James and John, asks the Lord that her sons will sit one on the right
hand and the other the left, in his kingdom.
It is quite a conversation, James and John declaring their dedication to
the Savior that they are willing to drink of his cup. The Savior then shares with them that it is
not his to give, but of the Father.
Then the
scriptures tell us, the group consisting of the Savior, his disciples and those
that have been following him, are now entering Jericho as they journey towards
Jerusalem. It is a tropical city, called
the paradise of God. His fame is great
in this city and the whole city turns out to see Him. He is surrounded by throngs of people,
multitudes on every side, Zaccheus, runs ahead and climbs a tree so he can see
the Lord. Zaccheus is a publican, and a
hated publican at that. He is the chief
among the publicans! Jesus asks him to
“Make haste, for today I must abide in thy house.” He teaches Zaccheus the “good news” in
his home and Zaccheus is converted. The next morning He heals the bind man, Bartimeus,
who is begging in the streets.
All these
miracles are taking place as the Savior is walking solemnly towards
Jerusalem. I think of myself as I am
walking from my car to the store, as I walk through a park, during times that I
am most troubled. Do I look out for
those who are in need and serve them? Do
I make haste to touch the lives of others?
Am I more concerned about what my needs are than what others need? I am learning as we walk this path with
Jesus, He is teaching me so much!
I am sure
there are times that I truly listen to the spirit and touch others' lives, but
I know that I am not perfect in this very thing, that the promptings that come
my way are not always acted upon, and I do not always make haste in helping or
filling the needs of another, my neighbor, my family, my friends. How willing am I to share the “good news”
with others? Zaccheaus is
converted!
Then Jesus
teaches the Parable of the pounds, an amazing parable! This parable is about Jesus and us, our stewardship
of what we do with what he gives us, and if we are accepting him, and serving
in his name.
The thing
that continues to be the theme is, He teaches and heals along the way to
Jerusalem. He isn't concerned only about Himself, He is concerned about each
person whom He comes in contact with, He teaches, and He continues to heal His
fellow man. This evening, on this journey, He chooses to stay in the home of
Simon the leper in Bethany.
During
this time of the Savior's life, Jerusalem is ablaze with the talk of
religion. McConkie describes it as a
religious anarchy, and religious fanaticism. During the last few weeks the talk
on the street corners is about Jesus, of raising Lazarus, of healing, of
doctrine, of miracles, all the things he has been doing in the last 3 years of
his life. But most especially the talk
is of the teachings He has shared in the last few weeks. They are prime, they are broadcast throughout
the city.
Pilgrims are
coming for the passover from the country areas so they can “purify themselves”
in the temple. These pilgrims are
traveling on the same road to Jerusalem as Jesus. Maybe we are pilgrims traveling along this
road. They ask each other as they travel and stop to visit, “What think ye of Jesus?” The twelve apostles mingle with them, and
bear testimony of the knowledge of salvation, the good news, and the teachings
of the Savior. Again, we are learning
the “good news,” the path, the journey we should take as we travel on this road
with Jesus.
Now we are
at the beginning of the Sabbath, the evening, and he spends it in the home of a
leper. His intimate friends are with
Him, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus whom he has raised. Here it is where He will receive the holy
anointing preparatory to His Kingly burial.
He has arrived from Jericho, on His last trek to Jerusalem. This is His
last sabbath on the earth, John says, “they made his supper,” probably under
the direction of Martha. Lazarus sits at
the table with Jesus, and the Twelve and other of the disciples also partake of
the feast. (Others milled about as was the custom, as observers.) Maybe we are one of these observers, looking
in the door or through the window.
Then Mary,
who had sat at His feet and heard His words, wanted to show her love for
Him. She took from her treasures an
alabaster box containing “a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly,” and
poured it on his head, and anointed his feet, and wiped them with her
hair. The house was filled with the
sweet smell of the spikenard. (John 12:3)
“To
understand this solemn scene one must know and feel the religious significance
of Mary's act. Here sat the Lord of
Heaven, in the house of his friends, as the hour of his greatest trials
approached, with those who loved him knowing he was soon to face betrayal and
crucifixion. What act of love, of
devotion, of adoration, of worship, could a mere mortal perform for him who is eternal?” (McConkie, B3, p. 336)
“Mary loved
much and was rewarded infinitely, Her act of adoring worship—born, we cannot
doubt, from the promptings of the spirit—gained for her a name and a fame that
shall endure everlastingly. How sweet
the words we now hear Jesus speak:” (McConkie
B3, p. 337)
“Why
trouble ye the woman? For she hath wrought a good work upon me.
Ye
have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will, ye may do them good; but
me ye have not always.
Let
her alone; for she hath preserved this ointment until now, that she might
anoint me in token of my burial.
She
has done what she could, and this which she has done unto me, shall be had in
remembrance in generations to come, wheresoever my gospel she be preached; for
verily she has come beforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
And
in this thing that she hath done, she shall be blessed; for verily I say unto
you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, this thing
that this woman hath done, shall also be told for a memorial of her.” (Mark
14:6-9, JST Mark 14:8, Matthew 26:10)
From his
head to his feet, he was anointed with oil, preparatory to his crucifixion and
burial. This was a most sacred act of
love by Mary, who was later named as a “certain woman,” after the resurrection
of the Savior.
James
Talmage shares with us in Jesus the Christ, “To anoint the head of a guest with
ordinary oil was to do him honor; to anoint his feet also was to show unusual
and signal regard; but the anointing of head and feet with spikenard, and in
such abundance, was an act of reverential homage rarely rendered even to
kings. Mary's act was an expression of
adoration; it was the fragrant outwelling of a heart overflowing with worship
and affection.” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 512)
Solomon the
king was anointed by Zadok the priest,and Nathan the prophet, and all the people
said, “God save king Solomon.” In our
day kings and queens are anointed at their coronations, and the people declare
“God save the King/Queen.” On the
sabbath day Jesus was anointed by Mary with oil from an alabaster box filled
with spikenard, on his head and his feet,
before he entered the gates of Jerusalem, when tens of thousands of Jews
would worship him as a King and shout Hosanna to his name.
The Anointing
What do we learn from
the few days
before the anointing and
the anointing of Jesus Christ?
Prepare
Matthew 20:17-28 Matthew 26:5-13
Mark 10: 32-45 Mark 14:3-9
Luke 18:31-34
John 11:55-57
Tell
the story of Jesus walking to Jericho and Bethany. Tell about the miracles and the parables that
he taught on his journey. Why are these
things so significant to the week before his death. Tell the story of Mary anointing Jesus' head
and feet. Tell the meaning of this
anointing. Why was he anointed, and why
on the day before he entered Jerusalem was he anointed?
Why
was it a “certain woman?”
How
can we relate the story of Zachaeus in our lives today? The Savior abode in
Zachaeus's home, taught him and he was converted in one evening. How can we show that we are converted?
How
do we relate Mary anointing the Savior to our lives today? How was this a token of her love? How do we show our tokens of love for the
Savior?
Remembering
Spikanard
is an oil made from musk-root that is amber in color and very aromatic. It grows in the Himalayas and in ancient
times was a very expensive oil. It was
used in ancient times for its uplifting and relaxing aroma. It inspired true tranquility,
and was used to sooth the nerves and
quiet the mind. It can be found easily today.
Put
spikenard oil in a warming vial so the scent will fill your home. You will be able to smell
what the Savior smelled, and feel tranquility
through this special oil, just as the Savior did when Mary anointed his head
and feet.
Act of Service
What
service can you do that would represent the Anointing?
This
was a great service that Mary did for Jesus,
a
sacrifice of money as well, for such an expensive oil.
Jesus
gave her great praise, and said she would be remembered.
Note: Some scholars have put the anointing on
Tuesday of the Saviors last week. I have
followed the writings of Bruce R. McConkie and James Talmage for this event.
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