The Plot Against Jesus’ Life
THE PLOT AGAINST JESUS’ LIFE
MARK 14:1-11
What is our response to Jesus today?
With the long discourse about the future, the ministry of Jesus to the people and to his disciples had come to an end, and events moved swiftly to their conclusion. The point at issue with the chief priests and scribes was not whether to kill Jesus, but how and when. Their problem was answered by the offer of Judas to enable them to take Jesus quietly, so avoiding the tumult they feared (14:2).
The chronology of these days is highly complicated, and some brief clarification must be given. The two feasts of the Passover and Unleavened Bread were closely linked together. The former was celebrated on Nisan 15 with a solemn supper at the beginning of the day, ie in the evening, for the Jews regarded the new day as beginning at sunset rather than at midnight. The preparations for this feast, including the slaughter of the lambs, took place earlier in the afternoon of the same day by our reckoning; but this was in fact the end of Nisan 14 by Jewish reckoning. The feast of Unleavened Bread ran from Nisan 15 to 21 inclusive, both of these days being reckoned as special festival Sabbaths (Leviticus 23:4-8). According to Mark Jesus held his Passover supper at the normal time on Nisan 15 and died later on that same Jewish day (which was of course the following day, Friday, by our reckoning).
While the Jewish plot was being hatched, there took place an act that stands in complete contrast to it. A woman whom we know to have been called Mary (John 12:1-8) anointed Jesus with a lavish quantity of very precious ointment or perfume (worth 300 times a laborer’s daily wage). It represented an act of devotion to him personally. Almsgiving was a worthy act (14:5), but this act was even more worthy (by Jewish standards, quite apart from the uniqueness of this particular situation) since it was really an anointing for his burial (14:8). We do not know if Mary realized the full significance of her action, but it seems that at least one person had begun to understand something of the mystery of a Messiah who must die.
The act is worth remembering (14:9). In a world where some would have us believe that the first of the two great commandments is adequately fulfilled simply by obedience to the second, we need this reminder that personal devotion to Jesus himself is of primary importance. Loving our neighbor is only part of what it means to love God.