If you recall, yesterday I mentioned that all accounts in the Bible are the same, just from different vantage points. You may see a slight contrast in these scriptures, but no contradictions. Let us begin with Matthew 26 when the Passover is coming.
. Now in verses 6-13 we are told of a woman who comes and with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume poured this on Jesus’ head as he was reclining. this actually happened 6 days before the passover. The disciples were not happy about this and said the expensive perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus responded telling them to leave her alone as she is just preparing HIM (Jesus) for HIS burial. Also, what she has done will be remembered.
If you look at John 12 he reports that it was Judas who was indignant about the perfume and felt it should have been sold for 300 pence and given to the poor. Now this was not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief as John reports.
Jesus said to leave her alone that the poor will remain, but He, Jesus, would not, meaning HE would be crucified and return to glory with God..
Jesus gathers His disciples together and tells them the Passover is in 2 days and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified. While Jesus was with His disciples the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. But, not during the Passover as they felt this would bring about riots
Then……and then…..and then – there is a man named Judas Iscariot – who went to the chief priests and struck a deal on how to betray Jesus. Judas sold out Jesus for thirty pieces of silver; then watched for an opportunity to betray him and turn him over to the chief priests and their mob.
Now the time is coming, Passover is close and the disciples ask where Jesus would want to celebrate the passover HE responds with: “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’”
So, now, here Jesus is with His disciples, celebrating the Passover, and reclining at the table with the disciples and says: “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And the disciples responded with “LORD, is it I” and then, yep, you guessed it, Judas says ” “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” So, Jesus’ response to Judas was enough. But, do the others understand what is said and going on at this time? Anyway, next comes the communion we all celebrate. Matthew 26: 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.
When doing the LORD’s supper (communion) we never refer to verse 29 – this is where Jesus assured his disciples of victory over death and of their future with him. The next few hours would bring death, but soon they would experience the power of the Holy Spirit and witness the spread of the Good News (Jesus is alive), and they would one day be together in God’s new kingdom.
Now let us jump over to John 13 where we see what happens after the passover supper. Supper is over, Jesus knows HE will be betrayed, HE rises from the table, lays his garments aside, wraps a towel around HIS waist so what is going to happen now? Now he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then HE comes to Peter, bless poor ole Peter’s heart, it always seems he has trouble understanding everything until after the crucifixion, then he becomes a powerful apostle. Anyway, back to the washing of feet. Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet-here is the dialog:
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus’ response here is great and we all understand it. Jesus knows one will betray, HE knows who it is and look at what Jesus says next: “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
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.
When doing the LORD’s supper (communion) we never refer to verse 29 – this is where Jesus assured his disciples of victory over death and of their future with him. The next few hours would bring death, but soon they would experience the power of the Holy Spirit and witness the spread of the Good News (Jesus is alive), and they would one day be together in God’s new kingdom.
Now let us jump over to John 13 where we see what happens after the passover supper. Supper is over, Jesus knows HE will be betrayed, HE rises from the table, lays his garments aside, wraps a towel around HIS waist so what is going to happen now? Now he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then HE comes to Peter, bless poor ole Peter’s heart, it always seems he has trouble understanding everything until after the crucifixion, then he becomes a powerful apostle. Anyway, back to the washing of feet. Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet-here is the dialog:
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus’ response here is great and we all understand it. Jesus knows one will betray, HE knows who it is and look at what Jesus says next: “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
Notice Jesus says you are clean, though NOT EVERY ONE of you; speaking of Judas. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. Jesus did not just wash their feet to be nice, but to show how to humbly be a servant of God and to extend the mission on earth that HE has set forth after HE is gone. These men were to move into the world sharing the good news, serving each other and serving others. Spread the message of salvation through the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Jesus’ ending dialogue at this time: 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Wowser, a lot of information here, but what we need to know. From the lady with perfume, to passover, to plotting, to last supper, to washing of the feet, to betrayal.
Oh, LORD, let us not be led astray, but to be strong and bold to follow Jesus’ example and spread the Good News. Thanks to all who read. Yes, these studies are longer, but maybe there will be a spark of something for each of us.