Page 16 - June 2025 - Truth & Tidings

he first days of the Lord’s passion take him by craft” and determined that
week involved Conflict with reli- this should not be “on the feast day, lest
Tgious authorities in the metropolis there be an uproar of the people” (14:1-
(11:1-13:37). The final days focused on 2). The morality of their actions was of
1
the Cross (14:1-16:8). This was ever in the little concern to them. Being politically
Lord’s thoughts; each step brought nearer minded, their primary aim was to retain
the fulfilment of His work. their favoured position in the minds of
the people.
The Servant’s Cross (14:1-16:8) To destroy the Lord would remove any
All was taking place with a sense of threat to their authority; this they deter-
anticipation. Chief priests and scribes mined to achieve. However, they wanted
plotted His death and employed Judas to to remove Him without any trouble from
arrange a suitable time and place. Mary His supporters.
of Bethany, in love and faith, anointed His Devoted Woman (vv3-9)
body for burial. The disciples joined the This woman, unnamed in Mark’s ac-
Lord in a final Passover meal at which He count, is undoubtedly Mary of Bethany
revealed His knowledge of the betrayer. (see John 12:1-8). Along with other women
He instituted a special supper of remem- in the passion narratives, she shows true
brance. Walking with His disciples to devotion to her Lord (15:40-41,47; 16:1-
Gethsemane, He predicted the smiting 11). Her display of devotion took place
of the Shepherd, the stumbling of His in Bethany, where the Lord had enjoyed
disciples and His denial by Peter. In the welcome respite during His final week
garden, He committed Himself finally (11:1,11-12).
and fully to the accomplishment of the As the Lord reclined to eat in the house
Father’s will. of Simon the leper, Mary came behind Him
Anticipation (14:1-41) holding an alabaster container. This was
likely a long-necked flask used to preserve
The section begins with a “sandwich” precious perfumes and oils. It contained
common to Mark. A Devoted Woman (vv3- “costly aromatic oil from pure nard” (v3
9) stands in stark contrast to the Deceptive NET). The value of the ointment was es-
Religious Leaders (vv1-2) and the Disloyal timated at 300 denarii, which equates to
Judas (vv10-11). the annual salary of a labouring man. This
Deceptive Leaders (vv1-2) was exceedingly costly perfume. Snap-
The Lord had predicted that the “chief ping the narrow neck of the flask, Mary
priests and scribes” would reject Him poured the ointment upon Him, begin-
(8:31; 10:33). Their desire to destroy ning at His head. John tells us that Mary
Him was motivated by the fear of men also anointed His feet (Joh 12:3). In fact,
(11:18,27-33; 12:12). It is no surprise, then, she anointed His whole body (Mar 14:8).
that in their scheming to bring about 1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV
His death, they “sought how they might unless otherwise noted.

176 TRUTH kTidings June 2025