tprim59

The Prophecy Revealed In Matthew

Lesson Fifty-nine: by turtle

Have you ever looked at the order of certain stories in scripture and wonder how come they seem to line up in a theme. Well the anointing of Jesus,
Judas beginning the betrayal process, and the warning to Peter of His upcoming denial all seem to point toward a particular theme. The calling and yet a
choice. Each person would be doing extraordinary act that would mark their name in history, yet each choice would be symbolic in one way or another,
to our own yielding to God. A simple sacrifice of faith is easy understood, but it is the outright denial and betrayal that gets us to wondering about
prophesy. Why would God’s word speak of evil prophesy that would be fulfilled and yet the ability to see it come to pass as in the example of silver in
Judas life. Why would a man that knew the value of Jesus deny Him three times, yet Christ foretold it would happen and would forgive him. The
anointing of Jesus before His death is problem the simplest to look at first. Was the act Mary performed anything extraordinary for the time period? Was
the expense a sacrifice and why did people complain about something someone wanted to do for Jesus?

I once knew a story years ago that was killing a church. Many poor children came to a church and was told that to attend Vacation Bible School the next
day they would need to bring a dollar. Well it was at the end of month and between paydays for most people. Some children quickly said they could not
attend. The money was to go to the new pastor who had done excellent job as Vacation Bible School director. The one person told the children they
could not come without a dollar and another leader said come anyway. However that one act would destroy any outreach to the children. If you had ask
the director which he had preferred, he would of said to see those smiling kids having fun and learning. The cost and the sacrifice made by one person’s
greed was short lived. It is clear the work being done for one was for greed and other was for God. The devil will try and destroy anything a person
does for God. Yet God remembers the acts of love toward Him. As we examine the anointing of Christ we will see a similar pattern of cost and value to
God.

Matthew 26:6-13 KJV
(6) Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
(7) There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
(8) But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
(9) For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
(10) When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
(11) For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
(12) For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
(13) Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a
memorial of her.

The woman name is Mary, it is mentioned in some of the other gospels this is Mary of Bethany not Mary the Mother of Jesus. There is actually four
Mary’s mention in the Gospels. Mary of Bethany was also the sister of Lazarus. There were at the house of Simon. Mary poured the oil on Jesus head
and the other Gospels also says Jesus’ feet.

John 12:2-3 KJV
(2) There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
(3) Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was
filled with the odour of the ointment.

Though there be to versions of the same story it is not issue with scholars. The act of anointing was not so uncommon, usually it was down to priest or
prophets, but it also was done to a guest as a form of tradition. The alabaster jar was expensive, and oil within was probably from India, which would of
made it costly because it was imported to Israel. Yet to prove the point that anointing of Jesus was not unusual for guest, let us look at another passage
of scripture taken some time in the early ministry of Jesus, where he was anointed by a sinner.

Luke 7:37-50 KJV
(37) And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of
ointment,
(38) And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet,
and anointed them with the ointment.
(39) Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and
what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
(40) And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
(41) There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
(42) And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
(43) Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
(44) And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she
hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
(45) Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
(46) My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
(47) Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
(48) And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
(49) And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
(50) And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

The woman did this act in payment for sin, yet it was an act of repentance, yet it also was a testimony of worthiness. Both cases the disciples wanted to
know why was not the anointment sold and money given to the poor instead. Our acts toward God in demonstrating our love toward him is beyond what
should or should not be done for someone else. It is act of respect and love that this anointment on two different occasions was poured out on our
Savior. No doubt Mary had no idea that she was anointing Jesus for burial, but Jesus knew that this act of love was done and that it would be
memorialized on her behalf of a demonstration of love to Him. Do we ourselves weep at the throne of Christ. Is our offering in sacrifice to glorify Jesus.
Is the offering of self sacrifice to glorify Christ or ourselves. If the sacrifices we make is to glorify ourselves it is for the wrong reason. Sometimes what
we do might be better to give to the poor in man’s view of things, but God has a way of blessing so even the poor is taken care of.

Judas in our next story thought so much of Jesus, he was willing to sell Jesus for money. And the price he was willing to sell Jesus for was valued at the
price of damage down someone by a cow. Judas definitely did not know the value of Jesus.

Exodus 21:32 KJV
(32) If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

Matthew 26:14-16 KJV
(14) Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
(15) And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
(16) And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Not to know the value of Jesus and willing to sell him so cheaply. Judas care nothing for Christ, yet Zechariah made mention of the value of a foolish
shepherd in chapter eleven.

Zechariah 11:12-13 KJV
(12) And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
(13) And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast
them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

Judas seeing the miracles yet valued Christ as a foolish shepherd. He seen him as person to be despised at his leadership. What a cost of leadership to
be not worthy of no more then thirty pieces of silver. Yet Mary valued Jesus at much more with the cost of costly ointment. The act of Mary done in love.

The story does not stop here for Judas. Judas even was unafraid to tell Jesus, He would betray Him.

Matthew 26:17-30 KJV
(17) Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the
passover?
(18) And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my
disciples.
(19) And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
(20) Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
(21) And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
(22) And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
(23) And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
(24) The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had
not been born.
(25) Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
(26) And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
(27) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
(28) For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
(29) But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
(30) And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Jesus would tell his disciples boldly He would be betrayed and when asked, a sign was given to who would do the betrayal. Yet with seeing this the
disciples gave no more thought to Judas leaving. Jesus would even tell of His death and what they should do to remember His death. Yet this seem little
yet no effect on the reaction to the disciples at this point. Did they fully understand what was about to happen, perhaps not.

The bread would symbolize Christ body and the cup of wine was a symbol of the blood that would be pour out for you and I, on the cross. Yet like
most events of prophesy, we often hear without perceiving the full meaning at times. How often we love to hear the word of God and yet fail to
understand the significances of them in our daily life. When I stop and think of how often God has reminded me of scripture after event, yet also reminds
me of giving me the scripture before the event taken place, I am sadly at need of deep understanding of God’s word apparently. No doubt it was like
any night Christ spoke, His words seeming to mean something of value, but yet not sure how it implied to them. Jesus would go to the garden and while
talking with His disciples he would tell them they would be offended because of Him. Yet Peter was quick to say I would never do that. What we think
we would not do is often what we will do. It a sad part of being human. Yet Peter had a great love for Jesus.

Matthew 26:31-35 KJV
(31) Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock
shall be scattered abroad.
(32) But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
(33) Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
(34) Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
(35) Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Peter is warned that it would be so, and perhaps this warning was to demonstrate to Peter Jesus knew His heart and intentions. This would give Peter the
ability to continue the path Christ set before him. Jesus knows you will make mistakes, yet at the same time, He knows our hearts intention. Judas was a
betrayer down to the core of his heart, the woman that anointed Jesus loved with all His heart and was willing to give what she had to Him. Peter would
soon be learning his own lesson in denial and his heart. Where is your heart today? Will you love Him and yet with the knowledge you will make
mistakes, know and remember His great love for you and love him back.