“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.’
“The chief priests and elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, Caiaphas, and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, ‘Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.’
“Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. When the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste? This could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.’ But Jesus… said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.’
“Then… Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him…
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it,.. for this is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins…’
“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'” Matthew 26:1-16,26-28,39
Calm acceptance. Cantankerous conniving. Pernicious positioning. Lavish love. Greedy gain. Somber instruction. Anguished resignation. When Jesus announced His pending death the people betrayed their colors. Hurry it on, we must rid of Him. How can I thank You for Your gift to me? What can I get? For Jesus, it was all about preparation, meeting them in their crux of response, finishing His work on earth, and leaving all they would need in His absence. (John 4:34; 17:4)
The life and ministry and words of Jesus compel us to react. How we process and respond to His death- foretold and played out and conquered- reveals our hearts toward His love displayed. We can elude its horror and meaning, try to manage and compartmentalize its conviction, rebuff its invitation to understand its costly grace, or bow in grateful worship. Have we set aside His death as a thing of the past, or would we draw near to learn anew its meaning and application for us?
Are we so comfy in our habits that we squirm when faced with the horrors of Christ’s crucifixion? Do we avoid the confrontation of the cross to take it up and follow? How can we behold its glories anew? What can we give of ourselves in gratitude for His priceless gift? How can we imitate His sacrifice? (Matthew 16:24-25)
Lord, may I embrace and ever be thankful for Your death that has given me life.
As the rain and snow 