Matthew 26:6
"Now when Jesus was in Bethany"
"The house of Simon the leper"
The event at Bethany is also given in John 12, were the woman who anointed Christ is definitely called Mary. While the "religious" Jewish leaders were plotting to kill Christ, the believers at Bethany were honoring him. We do not know who Simon the leper was; but he must have been cured by the Lord, for the Jews would never feast in the house of a leper. Mary's act of love was accepted by Christ and criticized by the disciples, Judas being the chief accuser (John 12:4-6). John explains why Judas criticized her: he was a thief and wanted the money for himself. (the word "bare" in John 12;6 means he took out or stole what was in the treasury).
It is sad to see Peter agreeing with Judas and "walking in the counsel of the ungodly" (Psalm 1:1). Soon he would be standing in the way of sinners (John 18:18) and sitting in the seat of the scornful (Luke 22:55), where he would deny his Lord three times. It is a dangerous thing for Christians to judge one another, for that judgement always comes back on our own heads (Matthew 7:1-5). The disciples considered Mary's worship "waste" but Jesus said it was a lasting memorial. To this day, wherever the Gospel is preached, Mary and her loving deed are mentioned. "He that doeth the will of god abideth forever." Let us focus more on godly ways, and others and less on self. Amen!
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
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