By 
At this midpoint of Holy Week, we step into the silence before the storm of Good Friday. After Palm Sunday Jesus stayed in Bethany on the Mount of Olives, coming into Jerusalem during the day. On Monday He cleansed the temple. On Tuesday, as on other days this week, Jesus taught. His acts and words kindled fear and unrest in the Jewish leaders, leading them to seek a way to destroy Him. We know that on Thursday the disciples prepared for the Passover meal, soon to become the Last Supper. In between we have relative silence on Jesus’ teachings or activity. It is believed by scholars that on Wednesday He may have stayed in Bethany with the disciples.
So, what was happening midweek? I propose that, in the gathering storm, 1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV) was being played out: For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Two events can be attributed to happening about this time of Jesus’ last week before His crucifixion, one affecting the other:
- the anointing of Jesus with oil by a woman
- Judas goes to the Chief Priests with a proposal to betray Jesus
All four Gospels record these events. Matthew and Mark choose to mention them in the tension between palm-waving and arrest (Matthew 26:1-16 and Mark 14:1-11).
Whether this woman of Scripture was Mary, astounded by the miraculous raising of her brother Lazarus, or some other woman confronted by her sinful past and the miracle of true forgiveness—what Jesus offered was the essence of life to her. In this scene we have a picture of overwhelming gratitude for the powerful love of God. To the woman, the wise counsel of Jesus rested on His incredible devotion to the Father’s will. Was there mystery surrounding what had and would take place? Did she have lingering questions? I suspect the answer is yes to both; but certainly her belief and trust in God to save her through the Savior was paramount.
What about Judas? From his earthly perspective it was all wrong—the disruption of commerce in the Temple, the loss of income from the expensive oil, the knack of Jesus to speak more peace and surrender than power and triumph. None of this was in keeping with a King coming to restore God’s chosen people to the place they were promised. Such words of submission, humility, and upside-down economy were foolishness to someone like Judas.
Maybe that is the most unsettling part—someone like Judas. He was not a Pharisee or wayward scribe, not a murderer or a gentile. Judas was one of Jesus’ chosen few—a man who heard Jesus’ teachings, saw His miracles, whose very feet were soon to be washed by the Lord.
Let’s return to 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV): For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Although the incidents of the woman anointing Jesus with oil and Judas’ betrayal are in the past, we can see that this verse is assuredly not. Paul claimed his salvation once and for all; but he also claimed it anew each day, was astonished by His powerful grace, applied to us who are being saved, each day.
So, on this day when it is thought that Jesus rested with His inner circle, we too pause and ponder our present as well:
- moments of being like Mary, worshipping the Savior for His great acts completed and those to come
- moments of lostness, when we doubted His methods and pridefully looked for our own resolution
- moments, all covered by the blood shed and the body freely given, come Friday
The more time I spend reflecting on my place in this moment of tension, on my failings and on my longings, the greater joy I experience come Sunday. Don’t miss it, I tell myself. My Redeemer King stormed the gates of hell—oh, not by great force, but by great sacrifice. And He did it not because of who I am. Jesus submitted to it, and accomplished it, because of Who He Is! Thank you Father!
Elizabeth Murphy
Elizabeth Murphy has been following Christ since she was 17. Although this road has not always been straight, she has seen God’s hand in every detour. Elizabeth is blessed with and by her husband of 30 years, John, and 2 grown daughters. As an educator, she has been able to feed her insatiable desire to learn every day and share learning with others. Elizabeth became a student of Womenary in 2016. From the Bible to theology to cozy mysteries, Elizabeth is always absorbed in reading. This still leaves time for enjoying travel with her husband, walking, old movies, and time with extended family and friends. Elizabeth loves to walk alongside fellow Christ-chasers—learning and laughing through life.
